Opa-locka Thematic Resource Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Opa-locka Thematic Resource Area
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| Location | Opa-locka, Miami-Dade County, Florida |
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| NRHP reference No. | 64000117 |
| Added to NRHP | March 22, 1982 |
The Opa-locka Thematic Resource Area is a special collection of historic buildings in Opa-locka, Florida. This city is located in Miami-Dade County, Florida, in the United States.
These buildings are unique because they are designed in a style called Moorish Revival architecture. This means they look like buildings you might find in stories from the Middle East, especially from Arabian Nights. There are 20 of these amazing buildings still standing today. They are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
An aviation pioneer named Glenn Curtiss and his company, the Opa-locka Company, developed Opa-locka in the mid-1920s. He wanted the whole town to feel like a magical place from Arabian Nights. The architect, Bernhardt E. Muller, designed all these special buildings. Some of the most famous ones include the Opa-locka Company administration building, the Opa-locka railroad station, and the Harry Hurt Building.
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A City from a Storybook
After being a famous aviation pioneer, Glenn Curtiss decided to try something new. In the 1920s, he became a real estate developer in Florida. In 1926, during a time when land was very popular in Florida, Curtiss started his big project. He bought 4.2 acres of land in northwestern Miami-Dade County, Florida. He then created the Opa-locka Company to help build and sell homes in his new town.
Curtiss chose a very interesting name for his new development. He called it "Opa-tisha-wocka-locka." This long name meant "a big island covered with many trees and swamps." He later shortened it to just Opa-locka.
Designing a Fantasy Town
Curtiss hired an American architect named Bernhardt E. Muller. Muller's job was to design the entire town to look like an "Arabian Fantasy." Some people say Curtiss got the idea after watching the 1924 movie The Thief of Baghdad.
Muller designed 86 buildings in Opa-locka. They all had the special Moorish Revival architecture style. These buildings featured cool details like onion-shaped domes and tall, thin towers called minarets. They also had fancy arches, watchtowers, and colorful mosaic tiles. Even the streets got Arabian-inspired names! You can find streets like Ali Baba Avenue, Sharazad Avenue, and Aladdin Street.
The Administration Building: A Palace in Florida
The Opa-locka Company administration building was a very important part of Curtiss's plan. It was meant to be the main office for the Opa-locka Company. Later, it even became Opa-locka's City Hall. People have called it "The Nation's Weirdest City Hall" because of its unique look.
This building was inspired by a palace described in One Thousand and One Nights. It has many domes, minarets, and arches. All these features together make it look like a magical, oriental palace. It truly gives the feeling of a fantasy city.
Surviving the Storm
In September 1926, a very strong storm hit the area. This was the 1926 Miami hurricane. Sadly, many of the original Moorish-style buildings were destroyed. However, some of them managed to survive the storm.
Years later, experts studied and documented the remaining buildings. They found twenty structures that were still standing and in good condition. These twenty buildings were then officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The amazing Opa-locka Company administration building is one of these special listed sites.
Historic Buildings of Opa-locka
Many buildings in Opa-locka are recognized for their historical importance. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of a special study. This study, done in 1981, focused on the unique "Opa-locka Thematic Resource Area."
Here are some of the notable buildings that are part of this historic collection:
- Harry Hurt Building: This building is also known as the Logan Executive Center.
- Opa-locka Company administration building: This was the original headquarters and later became Opa-locka City Hall.
- Opa-locka Bank: This building is now known as the First Baptist Church.
- Opa-locka railroad station: An important part of the town's early transportation.
- H. W. Baird House (also called Edmunds House)
- George Cravero House (also called Lewis House)
- J. W. Crouse House (also called Rey House)
- Clarence Etheredge House (also called Raad House)
- R. M. Griffiths House (also called Ortiz-Figueroa House)
- S. K. Haislip House (also called Payon-Diaz House)
- Helm Stores and Apartments
- Roy Helms House (also called Rose House)
- A. H. Higgins Duplex (also called Smith House)
- King Trunk Factory and Showroom (also called O'Dell Apartment House)
- C. E. Long House (also called Peterman House)
- E. E. Root Building (also called Rondon Building)
- L. M. Taber Duplex (also called Brown House)
- W. A. Tinsman House (also called Morales House)
- W. P. Tooker House (also called Quick House)
- H. Sayre Wheeler House (also called Riopelle House)
These buildings help tell the story of Opa-locka's unique past and its connection to the world of Arabian Nights.
