Mark, I was also wondering about the accuracy of the Florida State Archives description but I put this photo on the site 8+ years ago before I learned a lot more about the military history in this area. I can not recall any other photos of Navy facilities on Miami Beach, especially an air station. I am now thinking that the state archives is wrong in their description. I don't know if it could be on the Army Corps of Engineers property on Government Cut. Thank you for pointing this out to us, I had forgotten about the photo until you posted your comments.
Don .
Mark Lincoln
15-Nov-2016 18:23
Could this picture be at the Army Corps of Engineers facility at Government cut? Is that a radio antenna on the right?
Mark Lincoln
15-Nov-2016 18:10
Don I question the existence of any Naval Air Station Miami Beach as the Florida State Archives suggests.
Searching the government archives I have turned up nothing for a Naval Air Station Miami Beach.
It seems that NAS Miami at Dinner Key (1st Division 7th Squadron) and the First Marine Aviation Force training unit at the Marine Flying Field, aka, "old Curtiss Flying Field" were the only Navy/Marine aviation activity in Miami during that period.
Both were closed by 1920.
The only thing that might explain a NAS Miami Beach would be prohibition related but why Miami Beach when there was sheltered waters more easily accessible at Dinner Key?
