Homestead is the second oldest municipality in Miami-Dade County. The city is located in the southern tip of Florida, 30 miles south of Miami. To the west of the city is the Everglades National Park and to the east are Biscayne Bay and its underwater national park. The railroad laid out the settlement for workers of the Florida Eastern Corridor and later became a popular settlement for homesteaders in the late 1890s. At this time, there was only one way in and one way out of the area, which was a path nicknamed “homesteaders trail.” Homestead incorporated in 1904. As railroad traffic increased so did the town’s population and economy. In 1915, the town’s businessmen formed a Chamber of Commerce, the second founded in Miami-Dade County. Many of the existing businesses of the early 1900s were directly related to agriculture. Packers and distributors in the Homestead area shipped their harvest of vegetables and tropical fruits to markets all over the county. Due to the opportune location of Homestead, the United States Armed Forces opened an Air Force base there during World War II. At the peak of operation, Homestead Air Force Base generated as much as $500 million into the local economy. Historically, Homestead was known as a residential area containing middle-class to upper class farmers. In actuality, most of the town’s residents were renters with modest to low incomes. Prior to Hurricane Andrew, Homestead was one of the most Anglo communities in Miami-Dade County. By 1994, two years after Hurricane Andrew, the population of non-Hispanic whites dropped by 30 percent and remains relatively low. Since the hurricane, the Mexican and Haitian immigrant population has grown significantly while the Anglo population has moved away.
Many identify Homestead with Hurricane Andrew and its disasters. Although the city grew following its incorporation, Hurricane Andrew set economic development back greatly. Hurricane Andrew destroyed Homestead Air Force Base, which was a vital part of the local economy. Although the Homestead Air Force Base was already listed as one of several bases to be down-sized, the immediate loss of a functioning Air Force base resulted in a concentrated economic loss to the local economy within a single fiscal year. The economy of Homestead is still largely based in the agricultural sector. In March of 1995, the Homestead Economic and Rebuilding Organization (HERO) used $30 million in federal and state funds to recreate Homestead’s downtown area. This project received criticism from local resident because of the un-affordability of the new homes built from with the projects funds. A key to the economy’s continued growth is the new 320-acre Motor sports Complex that was built in the area in 1995. This facility houses two NASCAR season ending races. Homestead is also the home of the Homestead Sports Complex, one of the most complete training and tournament centers in the country. The facility seats between 6,500 and 9,000 seats, and accommodates over 3,900 vehicles. The city has seven municipal and borders two national parks. Once Homestead Air force Base is further rehabilitated, the base will bring back approximately 1,800 jobs to the area. Homestead’s community goals are to sustain organizational performance, to stimulate growth, motivate economic development, stress community emphasis, and increase the quality of life for its citizens. The city government has a mayor’s youth council that is comprised of 30 youths from the area in grades 9-12. The purpose of this council is to allow the youth to have a voice in the decision making process as well as provides them opportunities for self-growth and leadership development. Homestead wants to maintain a small town atmosphere but with urban amenities.
Arthur, L. (March 1995) Homestead renewal plan stirs tensions. The Miami Herald. Section B
Florida City/ Homestead Chamber of Commerce. (1996) Chamber of Commerce Directory. Homestead, Florida: Platinum Publishing Company
Lodi, Gianni. (2005, Febraury 23) Interview with Gianni Lodi of Miami-Dade Planning and Zoning Office.
Metropolitan Dade County & Office of Community and Economics Development. (1982) From Wilderness to Metropolis: The history and architecture of Dade County (1825-1940). Miami, FL
Homestead City Clerk. (Date unknown) About our city. January 24, 2005 http:// ci.homestead.fl.us/portal-community/about.aspx
Peacock, W.G; Morrow, B.H; Gladwin,H. (1997) Hurricane Andrew: Ethnicity, gender, and the sociology of disasters. Miami, Florida. International Hurricane Center
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