From its colonial roots to its current cultural diversity, Cuba has had a profound impact on Miami and today, the vibrant Cuban community continues to contribute to the city’s vibrancy and cultural scene.
The historic Cuban neighborhood of Little Havana is known for its photo-esque streets and bayous that flow through the district. It’s home to a vibrant community of residents descended from Cuban immigrants, who have lived in the area for generations.
The first wave of Cubans fleeing communism in the early 1960s fled to Florida, where they founded communities on the West Coast and along the Gulf Coast. Many settled in Little Havana, a small section of Miami’s City Island. Today, this neighborhood is one of Miami’s most ethnically diverse areas.
The 1,200 or so Cuban-Americans who reside in Little Havana represent a multitude of nationalities and ages. Their shared roots go back to the city’s earliest days as a Spanish settlement, when more than two dozen European and African settlement sprawls existed together in Miami’s City Island.
What Is The History Of Calle Ocho Little Havana
Little Havana, located in the westernmost section of Miami, was once a part of the Spanish colony of Cuba. Refounded by Cuban exiles in the early 1900s, Little Havana quickly became a thriving city. It was officially named a city in 1960 and soon became known for its cosmopolitan population and vibrant nightlife.
The neighborhood today is made up of hardscrabble land and packed with charming, old-fashioned places to visit and discover. Perhaps the most recognizable landmark in Little Havana is the Eiffel Tower-like antenna of Channel 9, which broadcasts Cuban programming to the rest of South Florida.
The neighborhood is also home to several museums, including the Museum of Latin American Culture and the Museum of Miami Art. The latter tells the story of Cuban art through permanent and rotating exhibits.
The Early Years Of Calle Ocho Little Havana
The neighborhood’s history can be traced back to the 17th century, when the Spanish first settled the area. Casas Grandes, a Havana suburb now located in Little Havana, was the first town in the area to be founded. The town was soon followed by other settlements, including Santiago de los Caballeros, Las Tunas, and Varadero.
Over time, the population of the area grew significantly, and settlements were established in the marshes and wetlands near the coast. The name “Little Havana” is a reference to this farming and fishing community, which grew to become the cultural and economic center of the area.
The Newcomers To Calle Ocho Little Havana
The neighborhood quickly became the center of Cuban-American life in Miami. Newcomers flooded the neighborhood in the late 1800s, attracted by the city’s affordability and Black consciousness.
These newcomers quickly became the neighborhood’s leaders, establishing schools and churches and creating social organizations.
Why Is Little Havana Important
The neighborhood has a rich and storied history but it’s also home to a thriving community of Cuban-Americans who are descended from the first wave of Cuban exiles who fled to Miami in the early 1960s.
This is a diverse community, with people of many nationalities, living in and around Little Havana, who have come together under the same flag to create a common culture and history.
Where Did Calle Ocho Little Havana Get Its Name
The neighborhood’s name is a reference to the fact that the streets are lined with small houses, many with concrete foundations, built in the image of Havana, Cuba’s Old Town. The houses are separated by small gardens and filled with greenery, which gives the neighborhood a picturesque appearance.
What Is The Evolution Of Little Havana
The neighborhood’s evolution mirrors the city’s history. Like its predecessor, the early settlement was primarily Spanish, with a large Portuguese minority. A large part of the settlement was concentrated in the area around the mouth of the Miami River, which flows through the neighborhood.
After the United States annexed the territory in 1894, its population swelled to more than 70,000, making it the largest city in Florida. Miami continued to grow, but at a slower pace, and became the third largest city in the state in 1917.
During this period, a large portion of the Cuban community in Miami was concentrated in the region around Little Havana, which today is known as Little Havana.
What Is The Future Of Little Havana In Miami
Like many communities in the country, the neighborhood is experiencing a population decline. Miami-Dade County is working to revitalize the area, but efforts could fall short without a strong neighborhood presence.
With fewer residents around to support local businesses and organizations, the neighborhood’s unique character could be lost.
Bodies Of Work By Cuban-Born Artists
Like many cities and towns in the United States, Little Havana has been host to works of art by Cuban artists. The Art Deco era in the neighborhood was epitomized by the elegant Cascadas facade of the Hotel Del Corazon, designed by renowned Miami architect Morris Lapidus.
The building, which opened in 1924, was demolished in 1974 to make way for a modern high-rise.
The neighborhood has also seen success in other forms, with several architecture and design-related organizations based here. Among them is the Little Havana Art League, which promotes arts and architecture in the neighborhood.
Three Ways To Enjoy Miami’s Cuban Culture
The neighborhood’s heritage and cultural contributions cannot be understated, but it’s also home to a variety of activities that celebrate those ties. Here are three ways to experience Miami’s Cuban culture:
Visit a historic house and see what life was like in the neighborhood in the 1940s and 50s.
Take a tour of the neighborhood’s small shops, art galleries, and cultural institutions, and experience the flavor of a bygone era.
Enjoy Latin American food at one of the area’s many authentic restaurants.
Miami And The Cuban Diaspora
The neighborhood is also home to a large and vibrant Cuban-American community. About 60,000-70,000 people of Cuban descent live in Miami-Dade County, making it one of the largest Cuban communities in the nation.
These people are fiercely proud of their heritage and have established several cultural organizations to promote and celebrate their culture.
Cuban-Americans have a long history of political activism and have fought for various causes, including the civil rights movement. Many members of the Cuban-American community also served in the Cuban military during the Cuban Revolution, and their ranks include leaders such as Fidel Castro and Alberto Granado.
Where Is The Best Place To Eat In Miami
If you’re looking for some authentic, Latin American cuisine, you should definitely visit Sin Fronteras in Little Havana. This restaurant specializes in authentic and reliable Latin American food with an extensive menu of steak dishes, seafood, pig intestines, and many more delicious options.
For a more casual meal, try one of the many local spots that serve American- inspired food.
Cultivate your Cuban roots – Miami has a lot to offer and you can find plenty of inspiration in Calle Ocho, Little Havana.