Enero-Febrero 2026

REPORTAJE

Hialeah

A Century of History, from Prairie to Progress (Part 1)

Origins and the Name

The name Hialeah comes from Semi- nole-Creek origins, stemming from the word "hiyakpo" which roughly translates to "pretty prairie." Before American settlement, Seminole-Creek Native Americans operated on the land of modern-day Hialeah from the 18th century to the early 20th century, using these grassy plains as a meeting place where they would dock their ca- noes and trade with newcomers from Miami.

Foundation (1921-1925)

The "high prairie" caught the eye of pioneer aviator Glenn Curtiss and Missouri cattleman James H. Bright in 1921. Glenn Curtiss, known as the "Fastest Man on Earth" after setting a speed record in 1907, retired from aviation in 1920 and moved to Florida. Together, these two visionaries saw enormous potential in this undeve-

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loped land west-northwest of Miami. In 1921, Hialeah was founded with the first plan drawn up and the town named. Curtiss and Bright developed not only the town itself but also what would become one of its most famous landmarks: Hialeah Park Race Track. The city of Hialeah was incorporated in 1925 with a population of 1,500.

The Roaring Twenties and Entertainment Hub During its early years, Hialeah emer- ged as an entertainment destination. In the early "Roaring '20s", Hialeah produced significant entertainment contributions including the Spanish sport of Jai Alai and greyhound racing, and media included silent movies like D.W. Griffith's The White Rose which was made at the Miami Movie Studios located in Hialeah. The Miami Movie Studios was built on 140 acres, with over a dozen studio stages that made

Los Tiempos Enero-Febrero 2026

Hialeah

Race at Hialeah Racecourse in Miami, Florida. Circa 1959. Carrera en el hipódromo de Hialeah, Miami, Florida. Alrededor de 1959.

Sugar Plant. Circa 1920. Planta de Azúcar. Alrededor de 1920.

Hialeah the second largest studio town in the silent movie era.

The opening of the horse racing course at Hialeah Park Race Track in 1925 received more coverage in the Miami media than any other sporting event in the history of Dade County up to that time. The track became known as the "Grand Dame" and attracted prominent figures from around the world, including the Kennedy family, Harry Truman, Winston Churchill, and J.P. Morgan. The park would later gain the dual distinction of being an Audu- bon Bird Sanctuary for its famous pink flamingos and being listed on the Na- tional Register of Historic Places.

grandstand at Hialeah Race Track into pieces and destroyed the kennels, allowing racing greyhounds to escape. The 1926 Hurricane, combined with the 1929 Great Depression, derailed many of the city's ambitious plans. South Florida did not achieve full eco- nomic recovery until the 1940s.

Population subsequentially shrinks by 90%. The land boom ends abruptly and would not fully recover until WWII was over.

Post-War Growth and Development

After World War II, Hialeah experien- ced explosive growth. The city evolved from a planned winter resort for the wealthy into a thriving working-class community. After WWII, Hialeah po- pulation starts to experience tremen- dous growth, with new schools ope- ning to meet the new demand.

Infrastructure developed rapidly during this period. Hialeah Hospital opened to the public as the city's first hospital, a sign of the incredible pos- twar demand Hialeah was experien- cing at the time. The city also saw the opening of Hialeah High School and various other educational facilities to serve the growing population.

The 1926 Hurricane: Devastation and Setback

Just one year after incorporation, di- saster struck. The 1926 Miami hurri- cane brought many of these activities to an end. On September 18, 1926, twenty-six days after Country Club Es- tates was incorporated, the area was blindsided by a devastating category 4 hurricane.

The destruction was catastrophic. Reports indicated that 70% of the homes in Hialeah were severely da- maged. Winds peeled the roof of the This article traces Hialeah's journey from a Seminole prairie to one of Florida's major ci- ties, highlighting its founding, early development, devastating setback during the 1926 hurricane, post-war boom, and remarkable transformation through Cuban immigration into the vibrant, culturally rich city it is today.

Source: information from various historical and governmental sources on the internet Images: Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) or Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS).