Miami Freedom Tower
Freedom Tower was built in 1925 and originally housed the offices of the Miami News & Metropolis. Some have said that its architecture was inspired by the Giralda Tower in Seville, Spain. The cupola tower contained a beacon light to shine over Miami Bay, which would have served the practical purpose of acting as a lighthouse as well as symbolically announcing the enlightenment brought by the Miami News & Metropolis. After the paper went out of business thirty years later, the building lay vacant for some time, but when the Castro regime came into power and the flood of political refugees began, the tower was taken over by the U.S. government to provide services to Cuban immigrants. It contained in-processing services, basic medical and dental services, records on relatives already in the U.S., and relief aid. In the mid-70s, when its services for refugees were no longer necessary, Freedom Tower was closed down, and soon fell into disrepair. But in 1997, Jorge Mas Canosa, a Cuban-American, purchased the building for $4.1 million. Using sketches, blue prints and anecdotal evidence, plans were undertaken to restore the tower.
Today, the tower is a monument to the Cuban-American struggle. The first floor is a public museum, detailing boat lifts, and life in Cuba before and after the Castro regime. The tower contains a library of books on the subject of Cubans in America. The old newspaper offices have been converted to offices for the Cuban American National Foundation, and meeting halls exist for conferences and parties.
The tower can be found on 600 Biscayne Boulevard, at NE 7th Street in Miami. Admission to the museum is free, but donations are suggested. Hours vary, so call (305) 577-8544 for information.
