Okeechobee Inn Motel

Have I stayed here before? Yes, I have. About 20 years ago, give or take a few weeks. Back in the day when I lived a different lifestyle and, that’s all I’m going to say about that.
I’m writing this Unilocal in an effort to bring awareness to the places with unique architecture here in Hialeah. This is only one of the few original motels on Okeechobee Road that have not been leveled to the ground to make way for larger themed romantic getaways. I mean, I’m all for gentrification and progress but, some things should not be removed. The architectural style of this motel, in my opinion, is very unique and should be preserved.
From what I’ve researched, this motel was originally built in 1957. Once, before all the modern highways were built, US 27 Okeechobee Road was the main thoroughfare to enter the City of Miami when coming from up north. You could also use US 1 (Biscayne Blvd.) All these motels were once popular with families and truckers passing through. That popularity didn’t last long once I-​95 and the connecting highways were completed in the 1960s.
So, that brings us to the 1970s and 1980s. The 1980s being the most challenging for this stretch of motels on Okeechobee Road. I was still a young child in the 1970s but, I remember the 1980s clearly on this road. The motels on Okeechobee Road were known for a brief cheap stay for Prostitutes, drag queen Prostitutes, drug addicts, their friends, homeless families or people looking for a quick rendezvous with their mistress/​lover hidden from their official significant other.
Some of you familiar with this stretch of motels are probably saying to yourselves, «wait, that’s still what these motels are used for.» Yes, you are correct. Thing is, I’ve been noticing some, let’s say «movement,» on Okeechobee Road. Think about it, going to the trendy neighborhoods to our east from here without using the highway is easy and, you don’t have to deal with an expected accident on 112 or I-​95. «Something» is happening and the trendy neighborhoods to our east have reached their peak.
In the early 90s specifically, many of the original motels were replaced with more modern themed motels for a romantic getaway. Although depressing that some of the original architecture was lost, had it not been for that, I don’t know what Hialeah would be like today. This is a major road in Hialeah. «THE» major road in Hialeah and believe me you, it was BAD back then.