Hialeah's Evolution: A City of Progress

Learning about the history of a city is a valuable and enriching experience. This report deepen my understanding of a place, connect with its culture, and give me a greater appreciation for its roots. The Hialeah presentation we had was full of insights and I was able to learn about Hialeah's past, migration, present, and future.

Hialeah's Past (1921-2005)

I was amazed on this topic to know more about Hialeah’s history and where the name itself came from. I found out how Florida land boom and to highlighted Hialeah’s Park Race Track opened - where the city known for. It was down to heard about the major hurricane happened that destroyed and affected Hialeah. But despite of everything, Hialeah began rebuilding with stronger structures. To be known a working-class and immigrant-friendly city was definitely delighted. I like that a lot of people started out in Hialeah and the race track certainly put Hialeah on the map that people was able to visit the famous attraction in the city – peak season attracted elite visitors. It was renowned as one of the most beautiful race tracks globally that known for flamingos and mediterranean design. In addition, I like that the reporter inserted a video from the past where one of the elite visitors visited the Hialeah Park Race Track. It was tremendous how Hialeah in 1900 started including Miami-Dade College to bring us where we at right now. This topic showed me the technology before and how important it is from the past until now - it was a big thing as well as the libraries in the daily lives. Indeed, Hialeah definitely became a very important place for the Cubans.

Moreover, I absorbed that Hialeah's history reflects its evolution from its early days as the "Gateway to the Everglades" to becoming a hub of cultural and civic life. Hialeah has demonstrated economic stability, even during challenging economic times. The history of the Seminola community within Hialeah highlighted the complex relationship between segregation and integration.

Hialeah's Migration

It was interesting that the Cuban migration in the United States was clearly changed everything there and here. I learned that many Cuban people settled in Key West, Tampa, Miami neighborhood of Little Havana and the suburb of Hialeah, that is where they found cheap housing, new jobs, and access to Spanish-speaking businesses. Cubans also left their island because of political unrest and economic issues under Spanish rule. Most of the people chose to leave Cuba because of the job opportunities and their freedom. I found out that Cuban migration peaked year was 1959 and marked as the beginning of the largest and most significant wave of Cuban immigrants coming in the United States. With this report, I realized that 90% of people living in Hialeah was Hispanic people. Because even Cuban people built their businesses, schools, and tight-knit communities. I found out that the city became a home where Cuban culture grow and thrive. I never been in Hialeah but if I get a chance I would love to try the famous Cuban food restaurant and explore the city. Cuban people has really impacted Hialeah. I was captivated about Mariel boatlift that carried 125,000 Cubans who traveled America. It did not went easy when they arrived because they faced obstacles such as finding work, homes, and the political challenges due to mixed emotions.

Furthermore, I was delighted to learned about Cuban Revolution in 1959, which overthrew the dictator Fulgencio Batista and had a profound impact on Cuba and the world - marked by both successes and challenges. While the revolution initially aimed to liberate Cuba from foreign domination and establish a more just society, it also led to a period of authoritarian rule, economic dependence on the Soviet Union, and ultimately, a complex and evolving relationship with the United States.

Hialeah's Present (2005-2025)

Around these years, entrepreneurial spirit approached and local businesses and infrastructures keep growing. But I found out as the economy collapsed, Hialeah experienced crisis that really affects the community - jobs disappeared and unemployment rates rose. As a result, some families struggled to afford basic needs like rent and food. And many small businesses had to lay off workers or completely shut down. Therefore, due to the fewer people spending money, there was less tax revenue for the city which affected public services. I appreciate that the reporter include the recession and recovery of Hialeah where the city government stepped in with support measures to help the local businesses to survive. I was glad to hear that community city itself, bounce back and local officials focused on rebuilding the economy and supported their residents. In addition to this report, my sympathies to the family of the people who involved in the incident on 2013 about mass shooting at Todel Apartments in Hialeah – that was an awful news.

Anyway, when there is a bad news, there will definitely be a good news. Hialeah keep growing when it comes to entertainment; I would like to Congratulate the Hialeah Speedway: No Guts, No Glory on receiving Emmy award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for Best Documentary Program – it was Hialeah pride.

Hialeah's Future

When talking about future, it really excites me! That is why hearing about the Hialeah master plan is really exciting topic. The group discussed about the comprehensive framework for the city's future development, the aiming to create a more vibrant, sustainable, and connected community. The plan outlines strategies for infrastructure upgrades, economic development, public safety, and smart growth initiatives, while also considering public input and incorporating community goals. I appreciate the last group on inserting short videos about “City of Hialeah 2050 Master Plan” even though it did not work well because of the technical audio problem. That is wonderful to hear from the reporter that Hialeah's future will be focusing on developing areas around transit hubs, especially public transportation because in my opinion it will be a big help to those people who do not have a car and it will help the pollution by lessen the cars in the road. That is great as well that the residents are actively participating in shaping Hialeah’s future. It was nice to see some of the tourist attractions like Factory Town and Leah Arts District from the report.

This presentation help me to gain my knowledge about Hialeah’s history-present-future. I would like to express my gratitude to all the reporters who lend their time to did a well-researched about the city of Hialeah.