Coral Way in Miami in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Lt. General Antonio Maceo Grajales Plaza

At the Cuban Memorial Boulevard Park

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, March 7, 2026

1. Lt. General Antonio Maceo Grajales Plaza Marker

Inscription.

, [English:] , Lt. General José Antonio de la Caridad Maceo Grajales (June 14, 1845 – December 7, 1896), Cuba’s greatest warrior, was the son of a Venezuelan farmer and a mulatto Cuban woman of Dominican descent. He was second-in-command of the Cuban Army of Independence. Fellow Cubans gave Maceo the nickname “The Bronze Titan” (Spanish: El Titán de Bronce) earned because of his exceptional physical strength and resistance to bullet or blade injuries, but also as a reference to natural alloy color of his skin. Spaniards referred to him as the “Greater Lion” (El León Mayor). Maceo was an influential political strategist and military planner, and José Martí is among Cuban leaders who were inspired by Maceo. Being a member of masonry, in his correspondence one can read more than once his credo base on “God, Reason and Virtue”. He was quoted as having a strict motto: “My duties to my country and to my own political convictions are above all human effort; with these I shall reach the pedestal of freedom, or I shall perish fighting for my country’s redemption.” Mariana Grajales, his mother, has been celebrated as the Mother of Cuba to honor her outstanding role in fighting oppression, slavery, and colonization. Antonio Maceo, being among the most important military leaders in the 30-year Cuban Wars of Independence, also embodies the centuries-old process of formation of the Cuban identity and pride, who truly exceptionally stood out in his historical context., His persona is for Cubans, along with his mother and brothers, all also ‘mambises’ themselves, the ultimate symbol of unrepentant willingness of independence, the representation of the Cubanness itself in terms of its mixed racial identity, and historic significance of national courage. He represents what was most important and valuable in the Cuban people: their capacity for unity and struggle, being part of its popular memory, culture, and sentiment. His immense historical figure projects beyond his beloved island to the neighboring nations, being a symbol of Caribbeanness. Antonio Maceo died in combat, being true to his motto: “Freedom is not to be begged for. It’s to be conquered with the edge of the machete”. His remains lie in a monument south of Havana. The unincorporated town of Maceo, Kentucky, founded by free slaves, was named in his honor in 1897.,

[English:]
Lt. General José Antonio de la Caridad Maceo Grajales (June 14, 1845 – December 7, 1896), Cuba’s greatest warrior, was the son of a Venezuelan farmer and a mulatto Cuban woman of Dominican descent. He was second-in-command of the Cuban Army of Independence. Fellow Cubans gave Maceo the nickname “The Bronze Titan” (Spanish: El Titán de Bronce) earned because of his exceptional physical strength and resistance to bullet or blade injuries, but also as a reference to natural alloy color of his skin. Spaniards referred to him as the “Greater Lion” (El León Mayor). Maceo was an influential political strategist and military planner, and José Martí is among Cuban leaders who were inspired by Maceo. Being a member of masonry, in his correspondence one can read more than once his credo base on “God, Reason and Virtue”. He was quoted as having a strict motto: “My duties to my country and to my own political convictions are above all human effort; with these I shall reach the pedestal of freedom, or I shall perish fighting for my country’s redemption.” Mariana Grajales, his mother, has been celebrated as the Mother of Cuba to honor her outstanding role in fighting oppression, slavery, and colonization. Antonio Maceo, being among the most important military leaders in the 30-year Cuban Wars of Independence, also embodies the centuries-old process of formation of the Cuban identity and pride, who truly exceptionally stood out in his historical context.

His persona is for Cubans, along with his mother and brothers, all also ‘mambises’ themselves, the ultimate symbol of unrepentant willingness of independence, the representation of the Cubanness itself in terms of its mixed racial identity, and historic significance of national courage. He represents what was most important and valuable in the Cuban people: their capacity for unity and struggle, being part of its popular memory, culture, and sentiment. His immense historical figure projects beyond his beloved island to the neighboring nations, being a symbol of Caribbeanness. Antonio Maceo died in combat, being true to his motto: “Freedom is not to be begged for. It’s to be conquered with the edge of the machete”. His remains lie in a monument south of Havana. The unincorporated town of Maceo, Kentucky, founded by free slaves, was named in his honor in 1897.

[Español:]
El Teniente General José Antonio de la Caridad Maceo Grajales (14 de junio de 1845 – 7 de diciembre de 1896), el guerrero más grande de Cuba, fue hijo de un campesino venezolano y una cubana mulata de ascendencia dominicana. Fue segundo al mando del Ejército de Independencia de Cuba. Sus compatriotas le dieron a Maceo el apodo de “El Titán de Bronce”, debido a su excepcional fuerza física y resistencia a heridas de bala o arma blanca, pero también como referencia al color natural de su piel. Los españoles lo llamaban “El León Mayor”. Maceo fue un influyente estratega político y planificador militar, y José Martí se encuentra entre los líderes cubanos que se inspiraron en él. Siendo miembro de la masonería, en su correspondencia se puede leer más de una vez su credo basado en “Dios, Razón y Virtud”. Se le citaba por tener un lema estricto: «Mis deberes hacia mi país y hacia mis propias convicciones políticas están por encima de todo esfuerzo humano; con ellos alcanzaré el pedestal de la libertad o pereceré luchando por la redención de mi país». Mariana Grajales, su madre, ha sido celebrada como la Madre de Cuba en honor a su destacado papel en la lucha contra la opresión, la esclavitud y la colonización. Antonio Maceo, uno de los líderes militares más importantes de las Guerras de Independencia de Cuba que duraron 30 años, también encarna el proceso centenario de formación de la identidad y el orgullo cubanos, destacando de forma excepcional en su contexto histórico.

Su figura es para los cubanos, junto con su madre y sus hermanos, también mambises, el símbolo supremo de la firme voluntad independentista, la representación de la cubanía misma en su identidad racial mestiza y la trascendencia histórica de la valentía nacional. Representa lo más importante y valioso del pueblo cubano: su capacidad de unidad y lucha, formando parte de su memoria, cultura y sentimiento popular. Su inmensa figura histórica se proyecta más allá de su amada isla hacia las naciones vecinas, siendo un símbolo de la caribeña. Antonio Maceo murió en combate, fiel a su lema: «La libertad no se mendiga. Se conquista a filo de machete». Sus restos descansan en un monumento al sur de La Habana. La ciudad no incorporada de Maceo, Kentucky, fundada por esclavos libres, recibió su nombre en 1897.

[English:]
This sculpture was created by renowned Cuban sculptor Tony Lopez. This plaza was built by the City of Miami Parks and Recreation Department, with the support of District #3 Commissioner Joe Carollo and the Mayor.

Erected 2025

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by The City of Miami.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Patriots & Patriotism • Wars, Non-US. A significant historical date for this entry is June 14, 1845.

Location. 25° 45.846′ N, 80° 12.985′ W. Marker is in Miami, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. It is in Coral Way. It is on Southwest 13th Avenue south of Southwest 10th Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 861 SW 13th Ave, Miami FL 33135, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Florida

and on the Gold Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Operation Pedro Pan (a few steps from this

Lt. General Antonio Maceo Grajales Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, March 7, 2026

2. Lt. General Antonio Maceo Grajales Monument

The bust of Gen. Maceo, by artist Tony Lopez. The bust was repointed and moved south in 2025.

marker); Calle de las Presas Politicas Cubana (within shouting distance of this marker); José Martí Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Cruceiro Xacobeo Monument (about 400 feet away); Nestor Izquierdo Plaza (about 500 feet away); A la lucha guerrillera anticomunista / To the Anti-Communist Guerrilla (about 500 feet away); Bay of Pigs Monument (about 600 feet away); Salvador Diaz-Verson (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Miami.

Other markers no longer nearby. General Antonio Maceo (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); José Martí (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Memorial to the Fallen of Cuban Liberation (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Nestor A. Izquierdo (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.

Lt. General Antonio Maceo Grajales Plaza image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, March 7, 2026

3. Lt. General Antonio Maceo Grajales Plaza

The plaza was completed in 2025 alongside other renovations to Cuban Memorial Boulevard Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 21 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 15, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.