A Rich History in Miami Gardens
Carol City's story is deeply intertwined with the history of Miami Gardens itself. In the 1960s, what would become Carol City was primarily farmland in unincorporated Miami-Dade County. Developer Julius Gaines envisioned transforming this agricultural land into a modern suburban community, originally planning to name it "Coral City."
However, facing the threat of a lawsuit from the City of Coral Gables, Gaines made a clever adjustment—simply switching the "O" and "A" to create "Carol City." This unique naming story has become part of the neighborhood's charm and local lore, distinguishing it within the broader Miami Gardens community.
The construction of Interstate 95 in the late 1960s proved to be a turning point for Carol City and the surrounding areas that would become Miami Gardens. The new highway brought increased accessibility, and middle- and upper-income African American and West Indian American families began migrating from Miami neighborhoods like Liberty City to Carol City, Norland, and Norwood, seeking better housing opportunities following the Fair Housing Act.