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Don Boyd | all galleries >> Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries - largest non-Facebook collection on the internet >> Miami Area RESTAURANTS, Drive-Ins, Bars, Lounges, Liquor Stores, Clubs, Strip Joints, etc. Gallery - All Years - click to view > 1983 - the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant and Blue Lagoon, Miami
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1983 ©1983 Sunbird Photos by Don Boyd

1983 - the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant and Blue Lagoon, Miami

1395 NW 57th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33126


This restaurant is part of the Specialty Restaurants chain and was built on leased Aviation Department land just south of Miami International Airport. As I recall it was built in the mid-1970's and I've had numerous meals there over the years and one really memorable event there in 1980.

The Specialty Restaurants chain was founded by David Tallichet, a World War II bomber pilot who was obsessed with aviation and used the profits from his restaurants to buy and preserve hundreds of old aircraft. At one time he owned 120 different aircraft but began selling them off to other collectors. In July 2007 he flew his B-17 bomber to an air show in Michigan. He died at age 83 on October 31, 2007 due to complications from prostate cancer. A Los Angeles Times article on his death is at http://articles.latimes.com/2007/nov/11/local/me-tallichet11 . Rest in peace Mr. Tallichet, good job and thank you for your contributions to society!

Other restaurants in the Specialty Restaurants chain include the Rusty Pelican in Miami and Tampa, the Proud Bird next to Los Angeles International Airport, and The Sunbird in Colorado Springs plus others nationwide. The list of restaurants is located at: http://www.specialtyrestaurants.com/banquet_catering_corporate_restaurants.html

This image was taken before developers filled in part of Blue Lagoon to build the Miami Airport Hilton Hotel, other hotels and office buildings. And obviously before the Florida Department of Transportation and Miami-Dade County destroyed most of the dark green Australian Pines in the area in favor of shadeless vacant land and to enhance our views of concrete buildings, particularly from the State Road 836 expressway which is traveled by hundreds of thousands of vehicles daily.


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Leighton 13-Mar-2019 22:33
I "new" junk post appeared on the main page, but MY comments are being blocked there. How odd.
Leighton 21-Nov-2017 12:47
Actually, I will comment, now. The Australian pines have been very destructive to South Florida's ecosystem. To imply that shade and eagles are the directive for environmental issues, is to lack an understanding of the negative impact of these trees. I am NO fool, and neither are the environmental experts.

From Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission:

Australian pine trees threaten native Central and South Florida beach plant communities by quickly invading newly accreted beaches, beaches where dredge spoil has been deposited, and beaches where a storm has destroyed existing vegetation. Australian pine trees have also invaded South Florida's hammock and tree island communities in the Everglades. These trees outcompete native vegetation by producing a dense leaf litter beneath them. Because of shallow root systems, Australian pine trees tend to uproot and topple during high winds and pose a significant hazard to coastal storm evacuation routes.

Australian pine invasions often displace native beach plant communities that provide critical wildlife habitat for threatened and endangered plant and animal species.

Australian pine trees can encourage beach erosion by displacing deep-rooted vegetation.

Australian pine tree's dense shallow root system interferes with the ability of the endangered American crocodiles and sea turtles to construct
coastal nests.

Australian pine forests provide little or no native wildlife habitat.
Leighton 08-Oct-2017 21:10
I logically responded to this, but it was deleted back in April. It provided statistical facts to contradict some of the statements by Don. However, since he has recently died, I will not repost.
Don Boyd24-Apr-2017 19:56
I, and many others, prefer the sight of greenery, especially tall greenery that produces shade instead of direct sun blasting that produces heat and causes skin cancers to develop on humans. The pines were here long before anyone living here today and they often cause no harm to the environment, especially next to highways which cause more harm to the environment than living breathing pines. The only tree that American bald eagles have nested in down here in the past decade were tall Australian pines. After all the environmental atrocities committed by the early settlers and those living here afterwards (dumping sewage in the Miami River and Biscayne Bay, dredging Biscayne Bay for 15 years to build the island of Miami Beach and other islands in the bay - almost killing the once-thriving bay, cutting down 98.5% of all the native Dade rockland pines, cutting down or butchering old oak trees, almost making certain species of animal almost extinct, paving over most of the land instead of leaving natural preserves, and on and on and on) we have fools like you who favor spending public tax dollars to destroy what greenery we have left without a vote from the public? Bullshit!

Don
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Leighton 24-Apr-2017 17:55
Australian Pines? Just do a simple Google search to see why they are so destructive to the ecosystem. They are not indigenous. They were brought to drain the natural swamps, and "hold beaches together." Why does their removal become an "anti-government" sentiment?? Again, basic research shows the problems with allowing their growth.
Don Boyd27-Sep-2016 04:24
Thank you for posting Ginny and for your eloquent comments about so many things that are no longer here. The state and county governments should be condemned for eradicating so many Australian Pines that have been here far longer than our state and county politicians and bureaucrats. We don't even have preserves in our residential areas like a lot of cities have; everything is paved over in Miami-Dade County except for parks that have been artificially created for recreation purposes. We grew up at a great time to live and a great time to live in Miami. Best regards!

Don
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Ginny 25-Sep-2016 14:02
I do so miss old Miami. Actually, I miss the old South Florida and the Keys. I miss the Original Coconut Trees with palm fronds that could reach the ground and swayed so rhythmically in the evening breeze. I miss the Australian Pines that helped decrease the fierce wind when squally weather or large storms blew in. They were also used to divide pasture land by the cattle ranchers (another dead breed). I miss the wild of Key Biscayne where my dad and uncle would bring machetes to cut a path through the dense jungle (yes, real jungle) to a good fishing spot and where the spiders in the trees were as big as a man's hand and were multicolored like a neon sign when the sun glinted on them through the overhead canopy of trees and vegetation. I miss the pink land crabs that scattered hysterically as we tried to make our way quietly through the undergrowth. I miss standing on the crest of a bridge and seeing nothing but beautiful, lush land and shimmering water in any direction without a single concrete structure in sight. I miss watching the Seminoles hunt and fish as they used to do, usually west of 47th Ave because there was nothing but swamp land flourishing with key deer, boar and myriads of birds, and hidden waterways filled with fish, moccasin and alligators, and a few wooden outposts all the way to Naples. It was grand and glorious. I was born in Jackson Memorial Hospital a little after WWII and I raised my children in South Florida too. Although, things were already changing by then I still took them to some of the most untouched places left so, they too, would have a respect for our precious home.
Don Boyd08-Jun-2012 05:56
Well, don't leave us hanging, Melody - did you accept?

Don
Melody Chin Quee 07-Jun-2012 10:41
My Boo proposed to me at the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant.
JEFF NORMAN 09-Jun-2009 15:53
Ah,I remember it well, me and my lady would go there when we were dating back in the early 70's. I lived about 10 blocks from there. they had the best onion soup, served in a sourdough cup. fantastic.
Guest 08-May-2009 22:34
As a former chef at the 94th Aero Squadron in Ft Lauderdale, Luminares in Port Everglades in the late 70's I am really suprised the company still exists. Sorry to hear about Mr Talichet, if you ever met him back then he was an unasuming beach boy looking fellow, but very kind and amiable.
Dale Reed 03-Feb-2009 01:10
I was always told that the original 94th Aero Squadron restaurant was located in San Jose, CA. I’ve eaten there several times as well as the one at MIA. I have to say that the Rusty Pelican is also great and has an excellent view of the Miami Skyline. My wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary during the opening of bayside. We lingered before being seated to watch the fireworks from the outdoor bar. The waiters were impatient to seat us but I told them it was our anniversary. Of course I told my wife I had arranged it all.
Robbin P. Learned 02-Dec-2008 07:48
I Took my Wife To The 94th Aero Squadron, For Dinner, on Our 1st Date, and A Good many other times, and we always Had A Great Meal, and it was a Cozy, and Romantic Setting. We've Been Married, almost 28 years now, and always Remember Our Wonderful Dates there. A Great Place, and Great Memories now !!!!!!!