Main hangars from a former World War II blimp base can still be seen from satellite on Google. They now create the landscape of Zoo Miami’s oddly shaped parking lot, one of the many lingering reminders of Miami’s storied past that former Miami Lakes resident and author, Antonio Simon Jr., hopes is not easily forgotten.
Simon has had a lifelong love of history, evident in his recently published book Miami Is Missing: Miami’s abandoned, forgotten, and little-known historical places. He grew up in Miami and attended the University of Miami where he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and history and his Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University’s School of Law. Though he practices family law by day he moonlights as a writer.
Simon began working on his historical book in September 2014 and churned it out with lightning-fast speed in only 60 days.
"It really was a labor of love to put together the book in such a short amount of time,” said Simon although he noted that the idea had long been swirling through his mind.
“This is something I have always wanted to do,” said Simon. “I’ve always had an eye for history. As students, we are taught a lot of national history but not a lot of emphasis is placed on local history which is unfortunate.”
Miami is Missing covers a host of historical sites such as Zoo Miami’s parking lot which hints at the former Naval Air Station Richmond that once stood in it’s place during World War II, the lost departure point of Amelia Earhart, and an abandoned factory under which sits the deepest hole ever dug in Florida to house a ten-story rocket which still remains after 50 years. The book even touches upon Miami legends, both men and stories, like Miami Lakes founder Ernest Graham’s beginnings with the Pennsuco Sugar Experiment and the Krome Avenue Insane Asylum.
Simon arranged the historical account in a way to engage readers by providing photographs, addresses, and GPS coordinates for a then-and-now glimpse into Miami’s history.
“The book captures the historical sites of Miami both those that still exist or no longer exist, locations that are hidden in plain sight and if they go missing will be a blow to our local history,” said Simon. “These places are important and if no one knows their pasts, how can anyone be expected to care when the bulldozers come for those that remain?”
In an effort to create dialogue on vanishing historical sites within Miami a presentation and discussion will be led by Simon at Miami’s largest independent bookstore, Books & Books, on Saturday, January 24 at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Simon is associated with the Miami Lakes based publishing company Darkwater Syndicate, Inc. which began as a loose collective of writers and artists in 2008 and has grown to focus on fresh voice and exceptional literary experiences.
Previously published through Darwater Syndicate is Simon’s fantasy book,The Gullwing Odyssey, which Simon likens to “The Princess Bride - with pirates.” The Gullwing Odyssey received recognition by the Florida Writer’s Association with the prestigious 2014 Royal Palm Literary Award.
For more information on Simon’s books or to purchase a copy, and for more information on Darkwater Syndicate visit www.darkwatersyndicate.com.