Clune - Stadnik Building

CLUNE-STADNIK BUILDING
45 Curtiss Parkway

National Register of Historic Places (1985
Designated Miami Springs Historic Site (1989)

One of the first buildings constructed in Miami Country Club Estates, and the only surviving structure from the original “civic center” envisioned by Glenn Curtiss, the 1925 Clune-Stadnik building has survived hurricanes, floods, fires, burglaries and buy-out attempts. It stands proudly “on the Circle” with an unmistakable presence. Built and occupied by the Curtiss-Bright Company, it housed the offices of the company’s Chief Engineer Daniel Clune. The first floor of this artifact of history was, over the years, the site for a variety of small businesses including a luncheonette, an Eastern Airlines ticket office and a photo shop until it was purchased in 1946 by Pharmacist John Stadnik, who converted it into a drug store. The “Miami Springs Pharmacy” has been owned and operated by the Stadnik family since then. From the 1930s to the 1950s, the second floor was the meeting place for Oleeta Lodge #145, a Masonic Order. It was also home to the original Miami Springs Historical Museum, and now houses private offices.

Due to its unique two and a half-foot elevation above ground level, this building has also served as a hurricane shelter because it did not flood as other commercial structures did. The building suggests the Pueblo Revival theme of the community, and includes scuppers, a battered parapet, a rough textured stucco finish and an arcade that follows the contour of this corner building. It originally also had the exposed log beams (called vigas) of other Curtiss structures, but they were removed and wrought iron railings were added to the breezeway. Otherwise the exterior retains its original appearance.