On October 15th, a new historical marker was unveiled highlighting Desi Arnaz’s early life which included performing in Miami Beach’s Collins Park neighborhood and helping to bring the Conga Craze from Havana to Miami.
The marker to Desi Arnaz has been several years in the making. It was spearheaded by Florida-based writer, lecturer, and “I Love Lucy” fan Gary McKechnie. His journey included seeking and obtaining state approval for the historical marker and creating a bilingual website about the initiative entitled “Thank You Desi Arnaz.” After the State of Florida approved the marker in 2022, the City of Miami Beach passed a resolution on March 27th, 2023, to accept the marker donation and find a location to install the marker within the historic Collins Park neighborhood.
The effort and opening event garnered significant attention from residents and visitors alike, as well as national news coverage by the New York Times and the Smithsonian Magazine.
Art Deco Weekend Connection
Miami Design Preservation League was thrilled to host McKechnie during the 2024 Art Deco Weekend, where he gave a talk entitled “Desi Arnaz: Achieving the American Dream.” At the event, McKechnie urged the audience to move the initiative forward. It received an additional boost by Commissioner Alex Fernandez, Commissioner Tanya Bhatt, and the rest of the Mayor and Commission who supported the initiative.
Photo Credits: City of Miami Beach Communications Department
