Construction is now underway on one of the most significant Centennial projects in Miami Springs history — the Glenn Curtiss June Bug Legacy Memorial, a lasting tribute to the aviation pioneer whose vision helped create the city nearly a century ago. Perhaps most impressive is how the project came together. Not one tax dollar is being used to fund the memorial. Instead, approximately $300,000 was raised through private donations, sponsorships, and generous community supporters, making this a true community-driven effort to preserve the city’s heritage.
The memorial will be officially unveiled on Saturday, August 22, at 11:00 a.m., on Curtiss Parkway just before reaching the Circle, as part of the Miami Springs Centennial celebration. The project features two distinct but connected pieces. The first is a bronze statue honoring Glenn Hammond Curtiss, the internationally renowned inventor, entrepreneur, and aviation pioneer who founded Miami Springs. Known as the Father of Naval Aviation. Curtiss revolutionized early flight through his innovations in aircraft, engines, seaplanes, and military aviation while also helping establish the communities of Miami Springs, Hialeah, and Opa-locka. Standing alongside the statue will be the June Bug Legacy Memorial, an interactive, walk-through monument inspired by the wings of Curtiss’s historic June Bug aircraft.
The June Bug made aviation history in 1908 when it became the first airplane in the United States to complete a publicly observed one-kilometer flight, helping prove that powered flight was no longer just an experiment—it was the future. Visitors will be able to walk through the structure while following a timeline of Curtiss’s remarkable life and accomplishments. The memorial itself was designed by local artist Natalie Plasencia Calvo, blending public art, education, and history into a landmark that will serve generations to come.
As Miami Springs celebrates its 100th anniversary, the memorial stands as a reminder that the city began with one mans willingness to dream bigger than anyone thought possible. Thanks to the generosity of local donors and sponsors, that story will now have a permanent home in the heart of Miami Springs. River Cities Gazette would also like to thank Councilman Jorge Santin for taking the time to provide additional insight into this remarkable community project. River Cities Gazette can provide insight for your business with our social media and website creative digital marketing. Call 786-587 3093 today and let us help you to leave your mark, just like Glenn Curtiss did over a century ago.
