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Allapattah
Neighborhood of Miami
Westward view of Allapattah and North 36th Street (US 27) with historic Miami Jackson Senior High School visible right-center
Westward view of Allapattah and North 36th Street (US 27) with historic Miami Jackson Senior High School visible right-center
Nicknames: 
A. P., Little Santo Domingo
Allapattah neighborhood within the City of Miami
Allapattah neighborhood within the City of Miami
Country United States
State Florida
County Miami-Dade County
City Miami
Settled 1856
Annexed into the City of Miami 1925
Elevation
10 ft (3 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 54,289
 • Density 11,399/sq mi (4,401/km2)
Time zone UTC-05 (EST)
ZIP Code
33125, 33127, 33142
Area codes 305, 786
Website Allapattah neighborhood

Allapattah is a lively neighborhood mostly found in the city of Miami, Florida. It's part of the larger Miami area. A part of Allapattah that used to be owned by the county is now becoming part of the city of Miami.

A street in the neighborhood, NW 17th Avenue, was given the nickname Little Santo Domingo in 2003. This was done to honor the many Dominican American people who live in the community.

History of Allapattah

The name Allapattah comes from the Seminole Indian language. It means alligator. The first people to settle in Allapattah arrived in 1856. William P. Wagner, the first known permanent settler, came from South Carolina. He built a home on a raised piece of land where Miami Jackson High School is today. The area started to grow more in 1896 when the Florida East Coast Railroad was finished.

Most of Allapattah was home to white families until the late 1950s. However, there was a neighborhood called Railroad Shops Colored Addition where African Americans lived. This neighborhood was created when the Florida East Coast Railroad built facilities nearby. In the late 1940s, the government bought all the land in this neighborhood. The people living there had to move. The land was then used for a new school and a park.

In the 1950s and 1960s, many Black American families moved to Allapattah. They had to move because a new highway, I-95, was being built. This led to many white families moving out of Allapattah to suburban areas. After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, many Cubans came to Miami. Allapattah became home to a large number of Cuban Americans.

The 1980s brought even more people to Allapattah. Many came from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Haiti. They were seeking safety during difficult times in their home countries. Today, Allapattah is a true melting pot. People from all over the Caribbean, Central America, and Latin America live there, along with African Americans who have historical roots in the Southern United States.

Allapattah's Location

Allapattah is located northwest of downtown Miami. It is about five miles (8 km) east of Miami International Airport. The neighborhood is about 10 feet (3 meters) above sea level.

Many businesses and schools in Allapattah are found along Northwest 36th Street (US 27). The neighborhood's borders are generally:

  • North: The Airport Expressway (SR 112)
  • South: The Miami River and the Dolphin Expressway (SR 836)
  • East: I-95
  • West: Northwest 27th Avenue (SR 9)

Economy in Allapattah

Allapattah has a busy textiles market on Northwest 20th Street. You can find many clothing factories and stores there. They sell clothes from Latin America and the Caribbean. The Produce Market is also in Allapattah. It's the biggest outdoor food distribution center in Miami. It provides fresh fruits and vegetables to local supermarkets and small bodegas.

The industrial area of Miami is partly in Allapattah. It's located near Northwest 20th Street. Here, you'll find all sorts of businesses. These include clothing makers, auto repair shops, carpentry shops, and upholstery shops. Also, several shipyards and dry docks are located along the Miami River in the neighborhood.

Education in Allapattah

Miami-Dade County Public Schools manages all the public schools in the area.

Public Schools

Elementary Schools

  • Comstock Elementary School
  • Maya Angelou Elementary School
  • Santa Clara Elementary School
  • Melrose Elementary School
  • River Cities Community Charter School

Middle and High Schools

  • Mater Academy Middle School of International Studies (charter school)
  • Brownsville Middle School
  • Georgia Jones Ayers Middle School
  • Miami Springs Middle School
  • Miami Jackson Senior High School
  • Miami Springs Senior High School
  • Miami Northwestern Senior High School

Libraries

The Miami-Dade Public Library system runs the public libraries in Allapattah.

  • Allapattah Library
  • Medical Center Library

People of Allapattah

In 2000, Allapattah had between 40,406 and 43,860 residents. The neighborhood is very diverse. About 72% of the people were Hispanic or Latino. About 18% were Black or African American. The rest were White (non-Hispanic) or other races. Many residents were born outside the U.S., showing the neighborhood's rich mix of cultures.

Getting Around Allapattah

Allapattah is served by Metrobus routes. It also has several Miami Metrorail stations:

  •           Santa Clara (at NW 20th Street and NW 12th Avenue)
  •           Allapattah (at US 27 and NW 12th Avenue)
  •           Civic Center (at NW 15th Street and NW 12th Avenue)
  •           Earlington Heights (at SR 112 and NW 22nd Avenue)

Places to Visit

  • Miami Jackson Senior High School (opened in 1898)
  • Allapattah Library
  • Juan Pablo Duarte Park
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