City of Opa-locka

The City of Opa-locka originated as a “Moorish” real estate development community. Founded in 1925 by Glen H. Curtiss, a pioneer aviator, airplane manufacturer and real estate developer, the City was incorporated a year later. The name Opa-locka, derived from the Seminole Indian word Opatishawonkalocka, means “big island covered with many trees in the swamp”. The city’s design was based on the Arabian Nights theme with streets that have names like Sabur Lane, Sultan Avenue, Ali Baba Avenue andSesame Street. Curtiss and his architect Bernhardt Mueller built 105 buildings in the Moorish theme. Opa-locka has the largest collection of Morrish Revival architecture inthe Western hemisphere. Twenty buildings are currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The original town included the airport, where Curtiss had a flight school; and a Navy base that operated until the 1950’s (some of the original barracks still stand). Opa-locka airport is where Amelia Earhart started her historic attempt to circumnavigate the world in 1937. Today, Opa-locka houses a combination of industrial, residential and commercial properties as well as an airport. The City covers 4.5 square miles and is located in the northeast region of Miami-Dade County. More than 16,000 people and 1,600 businesses reside within its city boundaries.