Lying in the southern sector of Dade County, Kendall was still farm and horse country in the 1950s. But Dade’s rapid population growth led to its emergence as a booming suburban neighborhood in subsequent decades. In 1962, amid the early stages of this development, the Dadeland Shopping Center opened. Many critics scoffed at the opening of a shopping center far from a major population center. But the explosive growth of neighborhoods near and not so near, assisted by the concomitant appearance of broad highways, expressways, a rapid transit train and a busy bus system ensured its continued growth and evolution to an enclosed, enlarged mall. By the 1990s, Dadeland was the nation’s busiest mall with nearly 200 specialty shops, six department stores and a thriving food court. Burdine’s (today’s Macy’s), its flagship store, was, by then, America’s busiest suburban store. Even with the monumental changes affecting the shopping habits of Americans and the nation’s recent financial and health challenges, Dadeland continues to be one of America’s premier malls and shopping experiences. HistoryMiami Museum was recently recognized by Miami New Times as Best Museum of 2022. It is proud to partner with Dadeland Mall who also made the list as Best Mall of 2022 on this exhibition. HistoryMiami Museum is located in Downtown Miami at 101 West Flagler Street. For more information visit www.historymiami.org.

Visit the "Decades of Dadeland Mall" exhibit in partnership with HistoryMiami Museum for a limited time only near JCPenney for a curated collection of photography of Dadeland Mall throughout the decades.