Coral Gables Riviera

Planned Community Successful After Test of First Sixteen Years

The visitor to Coral Gables is struck at first sight with its pleasant stuccoed homes in a Mediterranean type of architecture which harmonizes while it leaves scope for a never-ending variety of lines. But there is much that does not meet the eye, and it is this which makes owning a home in Coral Gables an increasing delight. In most communities, efforts have been made either by deed restrictions, ordinance zoning or public opinion to regulate construction of communities. All that history was in mind when George E. Merrick first began building his dream city, for above all else he wanted it to go on as he had planned it and not fall into the fate of other similarly started places where spite buildings and "eyesores" came later to defeat the original plans. An architectural board that passes on all house plans before a building permit is granted not only assures the resident already established that the community will not degenerate, but also protects the home owner against the speculative builder who thinks only of making a quick profit. Cheap art might be tolerated in popular songs, movies and such, where enjoyment is evanescent, for these are continually replacing themselves. In a home, however, it is a costly thing for the individual to realize that a bit of flashy trim, a fresh paint job and a jaunty entrance which looks so good today will, in a year or so, come to gall him. This is not to speak of undertaken structures, flimsy, in-a-hurry-built houses unloaded by unscrupulous contractors. Art that has endured through the ages is integrated in modern treatment by our architects in Coral Gables homes that become more and more more satisfactory with the years. In Coral Gables home designs, harmonized to this climate, hundreds of points are taken into consideration that would never occur to the inexperienced buying public. Roof and concrete blocks are specified, and even the exterior color of buildings and the awnings are regulated so that each new home is assured of harmony with the whole. The wisdom of these regulations becomes apparent in many ways. First test of the strength of the homes here came in the 1926 hurricane, which struck Coral Gables with worse force than it did most of Greater Miami, yet did very little damage here. Roofings, shrubbery, open cars and other minor items were destroyed, but the city as a whole was a haven of safety. Through that hurricane, through the years, with the remarkably small fire loss in this community. Each house is on a minimum 50-foot lot, and this, taken with the rock construction, will prevent any chance of a holocaust here such as one frequently hears of in less carefully planned communities. In fact, since the beginning of Coral Gables, there has never been a fire recorded in which a complete loss was written into the record books. Minimum cost limits have been upheld consistently, and Gables homes range from the comparatively small but handsome bungalow to the most expensive and elaborate estate. As Coral Gables, by elimination of smoke, dust and mud, has become the proverbial "spotless town," these homes keep up their original appearance with a minimum of redecoration. There are no industrial plants to produce smoke or noxious gases, and no coal is burned by residents during cold snaps. Electric, gas or wood fires are sufficient to dispel the occasional chill in mid-winter mornings. The city keeps all parkways lawned and in uniformity with the original plan, and private grounds are maintained with a pride of ownership that requires no law to be enforced, although Coral Gables does have police power to compel recalcitrant owners to keep their grounds up to the mark, if necessary. Grass, Shrubbery and flowers grow so easily that most homeowners find gardening a fascinating hobby. Adequate rainfall keeps growth luxuriant and brings out the fresh green of the grass and shrubs and the kaleidoscopic hues of tropical flowers. All these matters are not to be taken in with the first glance. The first visit to Coral Gables gives an eye-pleasure that delights today's resident. It is only after study that you recognize the adherence to basic rules of art, and after years of residence that you realize the extent to which it enters into comfortable living. The "more abundant life" is made more easily recognizable in Coral Gables where the wisdom of centuries in arts and crafts is embodied in the homes.

GABLES SUN GREAT LURE TO VISITORS

"When the Moon Shines in Coral Gables" was a national favorite among the song hits of 16 years ago, and stirred up plenty of interest and excitement for the young Coral Gables of that time; but the constant increase since then of people who build their homes here, come of them each year, is due to another cause than the lovely moonlight and Spanish architecture of the Gables. It's the constant and abundant sunshine that wins new admirers to our town as each season passes and each home-building period begins. Irradiation therapy has made great gains since Coral Gables was founded. In those days, one simply recognized that it was good to live here, that one felt better, and so on. Science, not satisfied with the instinctive, began probing into the reasons for better health, and now we have thousands of visitors spending what time they can afford to soak in the actinic rays of a sun that is now known to be 21⁄2 times more powerful here than the artificial ray used by physicians' lamps on those unfortunate northerners who cannot come to Coral Gables when winter comes whistling into northern cities. The ultra-violet constituent of the solar beams, building up vitamin D in protein, is what cures and brings health, and a library of books could be written of actual cases of people whose lives have been saved by moving here from less fortunate climes. We have seen countless invalids arrive here on stretchers, stay here and soak in the sunshine, and achieve miraculous cures from the simple sun treatments. Many cases given up as hopeless by northern physicians have been brought to Coral Gables in the hope that a change of climate and a period in the sun might cure them. Time and time again, that hope was justified, and new cases each winter show that the word of these cures has spread. While a certain amount of suspicion is due to any claim that holds up one element as a cure-all, it has now been generally taken as fact that sunshine is frequently a cure in itself, and is often an indispensable part of more involved curing processes. Beside the peculiarly potent content of ultra-violet in our sunshine, our southern latitude gives up five or six hours more daylight on a winter day than is seen in the northern parts of the country. The difference in hours of sunshine and intensity of the sun's rays are not as pronounced between our winter and summer seasons. All this does not add up to a recommendation that the visitor should give himself up to six or seven hours in the sun on arriving here. Many of those who have suffered severe sunburns during the winter months here are those who have rushed their sunning. If you decide to try sun treatment, work up gradually from a half-hour of sun, to the point where you have enough tan to stand a day at the beach without fear. We frequently enjoy a sunshine record outstanding among the nation's sun centers. On a typical year, for instance, Coral Gables enjoyed 69 more hours of sunshine in January, February and March than Los Angeles. The shortest day here has over ten hours of sunshine, while the longest has over thirteen, affording plenty of opportunity for everyone to get out and get under the healing rays of Old Sol almost any day in the week. Sun-ray research is constantly increasing our knowledge of what the Coral Gables vacationist gets in the way of health value, but it is already known that acute rheumatic fever, acute nephritis and rheumatism yield to persistent sunbathing. Another health benefit arising from the sun is the stimulation it the use of the skin as an organ of elimination of body toxins. The type of clothing the climate permits you to wear; the humid atmosphere and even warmth invigorates the skin and relieves the heart and kidneys from the excessive strain brought about by cold days in the north. This, particularly to the old, is a most important factor and explains why so many retired persons have made Coral Gables their regular home.

Coral Gables' City Fathers

1 9 4 1 COL. P. J. O'SHAUGHNESSY W. KEITH PHILLIPS MAYOR PAUL D. MCGARRY WALLACE A. BELL JOE WHITLEY

ST. THERESA'S GUILD TO HAVE CARD PARTY

St. Theresa's guild of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Coconut Grove will sponsor a card party, the first in a series, at 2:30 p. m. Tuesday in the parish house. Mrs. William Sayles is general chairman and urges all friends of the parish as well as members to attend. Proceeds will be used to defray the expenses of the bus for the use of Sunday School pupils.

Mr. and Mrs. Alpheus Collins of 1231 Avenue Catalonia have gone on to Berwick, Pa., to spend about a month. They will return to spend the summer in Coral Gables.

A Rejoicing Day For All Gableites A CITY BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATES ITS SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY MONDAY, APRIL 28TH

AWAY BACK IN EARLY DAYS DID ANY ONE EVER DREAM OF A SPOT SO BEAUTIFUL-SO BEFITTING COULD SPRING UP UNDER SOUTHERN SKIES-A REAL COMMUNITY TO LIVE IN? CORAL GABLES GROCERY COMPANY ERECTED ONE OF THE FIRST BUILDINGS AFTER THE BOOM AND HAS EXPANDED CONTINUALLY TO SERVE THE GABLEITES IN A BETTER WAY. OUR ENTIRE ORGANIZATION JOINS WITH ALL THE GABLEITES EXTENDING A HEARTY WELCOME TO THE VISITING NEWSPAPER EDITORS. CORAL GABLES GROCERY CO. PONCE DE LEON BOULEVARD CORAL GABLES

Happy Birthday—CORAL GABLES! THIEL MOTORS

SALES—CHEVROLET—SERVICE 2105 PONCE DE LEON BOULEVARD PHONE 4-2518

For Sixteen Years The Best Place To Live Under The Sun.....

SIXTEEN YEARS AGO the founders of Coral Gables took the first step in building a new kind of city-a city planned at the outset, where homes, churches and schools blended into a whole that today represents the ultimate in fuller, finer living. Today your Realtor is planning ahead for the future development of Coral Gables. Now, as then, he views his professional duties not only with an eye to the welfare of his client, but also with a thought for the Coral Gables of 1957-and beyond. The Coral Gables Board of Realtors looks forward on this city birthday to an active future of conscientious participation in building a planned city that will take its place among the finest home communities in all America. CORAL GABLES BOARD OF REALTORS J. ALLEN BROWN 2409 Ponce de Leon Boulevard | GEORGE B. CASTER 255 Ponce de Leon Boulevard | GILBERT H. CHAPLIN 2307 Ponce de Leon Boulevard | LESLIE H. COOMBES 2312 Ponce de Leon Boulevard | CRAY & DAINO 2410 Ponce de Leon Boulevard | LOUIS EDWARDS 1709 Ponce de Leon Boulevard | L. E. HUGUELET 1804 Ponce de Leon Boulevard | THE KEYES COMPANY 2319 Ponce de Leon Boulevard | WARREN LEHMAN 2302 Ponce de Leon Boulevard | E. B. LEWIS Gables Theatre Building | PAUL A. MICKLER 1202 Ponce de Leon Boulevard | JOSEPH H. NAUS Renuart Arcade | SAMSON S. PEDERSON 201 Avenue Aragon | HAWLEY RUSSELL 2301 Ponce de Leon Boulevard | JOE WHITLEY 206 Alhambra Circle | FREDERICK GLASS 2921 Alta Terrace Boulevard South Miami

Happy Birthday TO CORAL GABLES

CORAL GABLES IS GROWING AND SO ARE WE Coral Gables Flower Shop FLOWERS BY WIRE FLOWERPHONE 4-4618 2203 Ponce de Leon Boulevard Coral Gables

A CITY BEAUTIFUL BUILT ON A SAFE, SOUND FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES ITS AGE AS SIXTEEN YEARS OLD ON Monday, April 28th

Happy Birthday to all Gableites—A hearty welcome to our visiting newspaper editors-Guests of CORAL GABLES SOUTHLAND INSURANCE AGENCY, Inc. J. W. DURDEN, President NOW IN OUR NEW HOME AT 246 GIRALDA AVENUE SPECIALIZING IN FIRE, WINDSTORM, AUTO, WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION AND SURETY BONDS