(Click on ORIGINAL for largest image size)
This black and white aerial photo was taken during World War II and is courtesy of the National Archives. I placed the labels identifying streets, canals and railroads so there is no doubt as to where either airport was at the time. Miami Municipal was renamed to Amelia Earhart Field in her honor in 1947. Both airports have almost been obliterated by new construction since the late 50's/early 60's and it is now extremely difficult to find geographic references.

If you click on NEXT you can compare this photo with a combination image of this image and the latest Google Earth image and then click NEXT again to see only the current Google Earth image. I attempted to keep both photos at the same size and content and if you flip back and forth between the three images you can better visualize then and now.

Some facts about Miami Municipal Airport:

1. It was located two miles south of the southern border of Opa-locka Airport / Opa-locka Naval Air Station.

2. It was NOT located in Opa-locka, Florida. It was located in unincorporated Dade County, later to become annexed by the City of Hialeah. It was owned by famed aviator Glenn Curtiss who gave it to the City of Miami in 1928, similar to the golf course located within the City of Miami Springs. The U. S. Navy purchased the airport from the City of Miami in 1942 for use as a satellite training airport and for personnel transport flights and was known as "Navy Municipal" and "South Field #2" during World War II. It was rededicated as Amelia Earhart Field in 1947 in her honor.

3. Amelia Earhart took off from Miami Municipal Airport on her ill-fated trip around the world in 1937. She did not take off from Opa-locka, Opa-locka Airport or Pan American Field on NW 36 Street.

4. Amelia Earhart Regional Park is located on surplus federal property that was deeded to Dade County for use as a park. None of the land occupied by this park was ever an airport, contrary to what you may read on the internet.