Coral Gables Riviera

Magazine Article Written in 1925 Recalls Early Days When Merrick Recreated Old Spain in Coral Gables

(Editor's Note: with the city celebrating its 17th Birthday on Wednesday, it is interesting to observe how Coral Gables appeared to a writer 17 years ago. This article is reprinted from the "International Studio," issue of May, 1925, which was loaned to The Riviera by Richard Daniels.) By VIRGINIA ROBIE When on Easter Sunday, 1513, Juan Ponce de Leon, sighting land, unfurled the flag of Castile in the name of King Ferdinand, the romance of Spain was planted in Florida. When in 1565, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, raising the colors in the name of Philip II, founded the settlement of St. Augustine, romance took deep root. With Menendez came men of rank, priests, monks, soldiers and retainers, numbering more than 1,500 and filling many ships. It was a brilliant company, and back in sixteenth-century Spain alone could send forth into a wilderness. A red and yellow thread of exploration lies over the entire peninsula of Florida. We find the strands sometimes tangled, sometimes almost lost, but invariably and unmistakable, marked by cruelty but touched with high romance. With the sword in one hand and the cross in the other, Spain made this vast country her own. The Indian, at first friendly, then hostile, fled before the conqueror. The French explorer made heroic stand. The tragedy and pathos of the Huguenot massacres form one of the dark chapters of Florida's history. Yet in justice to Spain and in the interests of truth it must be recorded that French retaliation was almost as cruel. Tampa Bay is associated with the intrepid adventurer, Hernando De Soto, and the lovely little city of Sarasota with his daughter, Sara, whose mournful fate is perpetuated in a moss-grown legend. Spain loosened her grasp on Florida in 1763, regained it twenty years later and lost it forever in 1821. In 1763 Florida was ceded to England in exchange for Cuba, in 1783 ceded back to Spain, in 1821, purchased by the United States for the sum of five million dollars, a new page turned in its history. Yet Spain has never been really absent from Florida; politically yes, but not in color and atmosphere, and not architecturally. St. Augustine's narrow streets, overhanging balconies and walled gardens, still speak of old Spain, as in a lesser way do the ruins of New Smyrna on the Indian River. But nowhere in Florida is the Spanish charm more perfect than at Coral Gables, the newly developed suburb of Miami. It is old with the romance of Spain but the romance of American fortunes and American genius. In telling the story of Coral Gables it is difficult to know where to begin; whether to sketch the man and then the achievement, or first paint the background and next the portrait. It is as hard to separate George E. Merrick from Coral Gables as Coral Gables from George E. Merrick. Yet without question Mr. Merrick would prefer than we accept our Hamlet with Hamlet left out. It is not my purpose to dwell on Merrick's boyhood in a New England parsonage, nor the blizzard of 1895, with an attending epidemic of pneumonia, which seems to have been a turning point in the family history, nor the departure to southern Florida when Miami was a trading post, nor the initial purchase of land with all that it meant to the future of the clergyman and his family. One of the great fallacies is that poets, scholars and painters lack practical perspective. Many of the sanest and most helpful movements which have blessed humanity have been conceived by men whom the world considered visionaries. With a foresight far beyond that of his associates this New England minister whose life had been spent in the restricted channels of a Cape Cod parish became one of Florida's great pioneers. Acre by acre he acquired land in a neglected section west of Miami, which later was to form the nucleus of Coral Gables. Between the passing of pine forests and semi-tropical jungles, and the coming of the real castles of Spain, was a middle period; when grapefruit and orange groves, the largest and finest in southern Florida, made new industrial records. Meanwhile, the trading post grew to a city. Miami seems never to have been a village. It sprung full fledged into a metropolis, with, however, little resemblance to its present cosmopolitan character. To the south, Coconut Grove developed, containing some of the finest estates in Dade County. When Mr. James Deering built his Italian villa, rivaling an old world palace, an important milestone was reached in Miami's history. For a parallel, and that on very different lines, one must turn to the George Vanderbilt estate, "Biltmore," North Carolina. They make interesting comparisons and contrasts, with the common basis of great wealth. That Mr. Vanderbilt chose French Renaissance in the late nineteenth century was just as indictive of the taste of his day as Mr. Deering's selection of Italian in the early twentieth. The present keen interest in the Spanish style in Palm Beach and Miami shows that architects are realizing the great opportunity Florida presents in the way of climate, background and historical traditions. That all these assets have been turned to account one realizes instantly at Coral Gables, also that at last the dream of architects the world over has been given substance, namely, a large architectural and landscape composition definitely planned from the beginning and executed by by specialists. Magic has always been more than the mere rubbing of Aladdin's lamp. In this case it has been secured through the working fellowship of experts on Spanish art, whether artists, city planners architects or landscape designers. These men know their Spain from long study and much travel. They have an intimate acquaintance with Seville, Granada and Toledo, and with the less familiar cities. There are specialists among specialists, devoting their talents to Moorish themes, others to more purely Spanish types, another group to Spanish as influenced by the Italian, particularly the Venetian. Just as Spain is made up of inter-related styles, so it is at Coral Gables. Thus both variety and unity are expressed in a manner rare in American planning. In 1921, Mr. Merrick began the building of Coral Gables. Today there are more than five hundred houses, schools, a community church, a post office, a bank, a large country club, golf grounds, a well-appointed inn, a big hotel in the process of construction and a prosperous business section, comprising in all an approximate area of four square miles. Geographically, Coral Gables lies southwest of Miami, about three miles from the heart of that city and on the Tamiami Trail, which extends through the Everglades, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Other important highways which pass through or near this unique suburb are the Dixie, the Cape Sable, the Overseas and Bird Road. Coral Way is the main boulevard running east and west. A zone system has been used separating the various activities into groups and greatly contributing to the harmony of the plan. Fully as attractive in design are the business buildings which are made a part of the general architectural and landscape composition. On these broad acres which Mr. Merrick inherited from his father, oranges and grapefruit and avocados still grow. Where possible the trees have been saved, also the tall Florida pine. If you have seen citrus trees only in groves, you have but a faint idea of the beauty of orange and grapefruit trees springing from green lawns. If your knowledge has been gained from northern markets it is perhaps useless to try to give the picture. Not in the royal gardens of the Alcazar of Seville in the days of Spanish glory could the green and the gold and the ivory have been any lovelier than now at Coral Gables. Here the pine is seen at the best, the true pine of the tropics, towering above other trees and forming a wonderful foil for the airy grace of palms. Here are hundreds of coconut palms with their long, sweeping fronds; here are royals, straight, regal and always a little aloof; here are other varieties which on acquaintance exhibit a marked individuality, but at first seem merely "palms," bordering avenues or combining with the giant pines in forming frames and backgrounds for the buildings. Other trees there are in abundance, each adding its quota of beauty in the ways of line, color or texture—eucalyptus, poinciana, rubber, bamboo, mango, etc. and the ornamental small fruits as guava kumquat, tangerine, lime, rose apple and sappodilla. During the first year of the work at Coral Gables thousands of flowering shrubs and vines were set out under the supervision of landscape gardeners. A map of Coral Gables is a fascinating thing to study. The names of the streets, avenues, plazas, prados and explanades suggest the history and charm of old Spain with the magic of modern achievement. Among the many men who have made and are making the greater Coral Gables are Denman Fink, one of our great authorities on Spanish design; Frank M. Button, under whose direction Lincoln Park, Chicago, was laid out, also the Lowden place as Oregon, Illinois, and the vast estates of Charles Deering at Miami; Max Keller, utility engineer, whose work in Switzerland was well known before he came to Florida; W. C. Bliss, civil engineer; P. E. Paist, supervisor of color; and an architectural staff comprising Martin E. Hampton, Walter C. DeGarmo, Harold Hastings Mundy, H. George Fink, Richard Kiehnel and L. D. Brumm. Coral rock, a local formation, has been used extensively in building, sometimes faced with stucco, sometimes laid in blocks. Coral rock lends itself to Spanish treatment with distinction and has been used with marked success. Building restrictions are clearly defined at Coral Gables. No one can build unto himself regardless of these carefully formulated regulations. Color, long neglected in exterior designing, comes into its own so completely that new avenues of thought are opened up to the most casual visitor. Naturally, Spain is a country where color, and brave color, has always found a place. This is a European condition in localities of strong sunlight. Dazzling sunshine and dazzling color go hand in hand. We know this from the landscape painters of southern France, Italy and Spain. We know it from the costumes of these countries. Even the national flag of Spain carries the two strongest primaries. To use brilliant tones at Coral Gables merely meant to translate truthfully the architecture of Andalusia, Castile, Valencia, etc.; to give it vitality in a part of our country apparently designed by nature for just such a purpose. That rank failure might have resulted from the use of pure pigment makes the success of the undertaking all the more fascinating. Denman Fink is responsible for much of the landscaping in the large. The plazas, esplanades, fountains and the many beautiful entrance gates were designed by him. This artist is at present at work on a series of murals depicting the life of Columbus which will be placed in the new hotel. Martin L. Hampton made exhaustive studies in Seville in preparation for his work on this structure. Mr. Hampton is the architect of the delightful inn at Coral Gables, suggesting the summer palace of the Moors in Granada. The Giralda, one of the most famous towers of the world, and to many minds the most beautiful single bit of Moorish architecture in existence, has been chosen as the dominating motif. Stanford White's masterpiece in Madison Square is doomed, and it seems fitting that the Giralda, beloved by poets and painters for centuries, should take on new life in a setting peculiarly harmonious. Facing the Esplanade Columbus, with an approach of one thousand feet, this exquisite tower of tracery and tiling will be an important feature in the new country club section. Coral Gables will make its appeal in different ways to different people. Many will receive the greatest thrill from the private houses so perfectly adapted to site, climate and conditions, others who feel detail first will be keenly interested in the iron work, tiling, garden pottery and individual planting. To another group the landscape planning in the large will be the absorbing thing, to another the civic features; to still another the wonderful opportunities in the way of golf and other outdoor sports.

Remember the gondolas? They proved quite a sensation 17 years ago when they were imported from Venice to add color to the canals. Real gondoliers came with them. This picture was taken at Tahiti Beach. Coral Gables' 17th birthday finds the canal system nearing completion, with a deep channel into the bay.

Elementary Speech Contest to Be Held Today

Mrs. Mildred Reynolds, from Kinlock Park School, Mrs. Mary Kimbrough from Ada Merritt School and Miss Peanne Mankie of Andrew Jackson, Jr., High School, will judge the finals in the seventh and eighth grades speech contests today at the Coral Gables Elementary School. Those competing are Nancy Hinckley, Margaret Arthur, Betty Merriam, Jean Mixson, Bradford White and Maynette Avery from the eighth grade and Joy Cobb, Edgar Montague, Jimmy Bethune, Barbara Brown, June Brigham and Harriet Quillan of the seventh grades. Mrs. J. Attmore Wright, Jr., President of the P.-T. A., will present the medals to the 7th grade winner and Mrs. H. F. McDonald will present the eighth grade medal. I. T. Pearson, director of public instruction and Mr. McDonald, one of the trustees of the district, will witness the event.

Mrs. Renuart Will Head Catholic Women

One of Coral Gables outstanding Catholic women, Mrs. Denis Renuart, is the new president of the St. Augustine Diocesce Council of Catholic Women. Election of the new officers took place Monday at the convention meeting of the National Council of Catholic Women meeting for five days at the Hollywood Beach Hotel. Mrs. Renuart is a life member of the Coral Gables Woman's Club active on the courtesy committee. She also is active in the U.S.O., is a member of the St. Theresa's P.-T. A. and of the Church of the Little Flower. In addition to all of her club and church duties, Mrs. Renuart is the mother of seven fine children, the oldest being Miss Denise Renuart, who will graduate this year from St. Mary's-in-the-Wood, Wisconsin, and the youngest, Louise, just seven, a student at St. Theresa's.

Do your bit to Axe the Axis. Buy all the War Bonds and Stamps that you possibly can!

THINK ... how much better off you'll be if you let us do the worrying about the "EATS" for your party

WE CATER TO Fishing Parties Church Socials Bridge Parties Hot Meals Served on Order Orders Delivered MANNIES Delicatessen and Sandwich Shop 2328 PONCE DE LEON BOULEVARD Phone 48-1114 CORAL GABLES

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Styles are up again!

Styles change in clothes—in furniture—and in paint. From year to year there is just as definite a change in Paint Styling as in clothing. You wouldn't wear an ankle length street dress at the present time. Then why be content to spend your days in outmoded, out-of-style rooms, when it is so easy and inexpensive to redecorate with sturdy Pittsburgh Paints. Our free Paint Styling service will help you select the proper backgrounds for your rooms, show you how to use color to enhance your personality ... and to bring out the beauty of your furnishings. Come in or phone for this free, personalized service. BUY U. S. WAR BONDS AND STAMPS HOUSTON-HUR/T CO.INC. "The Paint Store." 2305 Ponce de Leon Boulevard Ph. 4-3116 PITTSBURGH PAINTS Smooth as Glass

GREETINGS To CORAL GABLES On Having Arrived at Her 17th BIRTHDAY

Coral Gables has been good to us. We were not here when the late beloved George E. Merrick began the construction of this lovely city, but we did open our offices on Ponce de Leon Boulevard seven years ago. We started with a small office force and a few outside employees and we now have an extensive organization, all members of which are striving their best to serve the needs of the community in our line. Again, congratulations on this birthday anniversary. GAS - OIL PRODUCTS, Inc. WILLARD M. WARE 1913 Ponce de Leon Boulevard