Little Havana - Flagami

Little Havana used to look like that? See the old pictures from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s

By Miami Herald Archive

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Looking back at old Miami

Photos and memories of the way South Florida used to look: its streets, stores, events and people.

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Little Havana got its name from the hundreds of thousands of Cubans who fled their homeland between the late 1950s and early 1970s and settled in what originally was a lower-middle-class Southern and Jewish neighborhood.

By the early 1970s, the new arrivals had changed the landscape.

The aroma of just-brewed cafecito was everywhere. Celia Cruz and Olga Guillot blared from record shops, and restaurant standards included pan con bsitec and steaming bowls of black beans.

Subsequent waves of immigration in the early 1980’s expanded the cultural landscape of the area. The neighborhood, first reinvigorated by Cuban exiles, has now been settled by Latin American immigrants from all over.

Here’s a look at Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood, anchored by Calle Ocho, from the Miami Herald photo archives:

Business

The Little Havana business district in the 1960s.
The Little Havana business district in the 1960s. Miami Herald File
In 1994, Versailles restaurant cooked up the “world’s Largest empanada.”
In 1994, Versailles restaurant cooked up the “world’s Largest empanada.” Jeffery A. Salter Miami Herald File
Groups gather in front of Little Havana businesses in 1967.
Groups gather in front of Little Havana businesses in 1967. Miami Herald File
In 1992, Miami police officers Manny Gomez leaves Miami Lumber as he goes on his beat in Little Havana on his horse Prince.
In 1992, Miami police officers Manny Gomez leaves Miami Lumber as he goes on his beat in Little Havana on his horse Prince. Raul Rubiera Miami Herald File
Tower Theater in Little Havana in 1990.
Tower Theater in Little Havana in 1990. Raul Rubiera Miami Herald File
In 1991, El Pub restaurannt at 1548 SW Eighth St.
In 1991, El Pub restaurannt at 1548 SW Eighth St. Tim Chapman Miami Herald File
A business at 2007 SW Eighth St. in 1970.
A business at 2007 SW Eighth St. in 1970. Joe Schuppe Miami Herald File
Storefronts at 471 SW Eighth St. in 1970.
Storefronts at 471 SW Eighth St. in 1970. Joe Schuppe Miami Herald File
A business at 2147 SW Eighth St. in 1971.
A business at 2147 SW Eighth St. in 1971. Joe Schuppe Miami Herald File

People

Gustavo Rodriguez prepares pan con lechon in Little Havana in 1992.
Gustavo Rodriguez prepares pan con lechon in Little Havana in 1992. C.M. Guerrero Miami Herald File


A cake decorator at work at Los Pinos Nueves bakery in 1981.
A cake decorator at work at Los Pinos Nueves bakery in 1981. John Walther Miami Herald File


In 1993, Jose Baro looks over editions of weekly Spanish language newspapers he picked up at the Versailles restaurant in Little Havana.
In 1993, Jose Baro looks over editions of weekly Spanish language newspapers he picked up at the Versailles restaurant in Little Havana. Jeffery A. Salter Miami Herald File


President Ronald Reagan visits La Esquina de Tejas restaurant in Little Havana in 1983.
President Ronald Reagan visits La Esquina de Tejas restaurant in Little Havana in 1983. Miami Herald File / Courtesy of Arcadia Publishing
President Reagan holds a jar of jelly beans given to him after he had lunch in Little Havana in 1983.
President Reagan holds a jar of jelly beans given to him after he had lunch in Little Havana in 1983. Bruce Gilbert Miami Herald File
In 1987, Vice President George Bush displays a street sign in Little Havana. Southwest 12th Avenue was named for President Ronald Reagan.
In 1987, Vice President George Bush displays a street sign in Little Havana. Southwest 12th Avenue was named for President Ronald Reagan. C.W. Griffin Miami Herald File

Streets

Looking west on Southwest Eighth Street at 29th Avenue.
Looking west on Southwest Eighth Street at 29th Avenue. Doug Kennedy Miami Herald File
The railway crossing at Southwest Seventh Street in 1956.
The railway crossing at Southwest Seventh Street in 1956. Miami Herald File

This story was originally published February 14, 2025 at 10:24 AM.

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Looking back at old Miami

Photos and memories of the way South Florida used to look: its streets, stores, events and people.

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