Don’s Rambles: Coral Gables History
An adventure in which a former mayor continues to seek the “soul” of his hometown
Inspired by this magazine’s June edition, which featured book recommendations for “summer reading,” I have meandered to the Coral Gables Library with a special purpose in mind. While the book recommendations were an enlightening and comprehensive review of new titles in the disciplines of history, arts, fiction, and business, there was one very important missing subject matter: Coral Gables! Where better to seek the soul of our community than in the wealth of personal reminiscences, photographic collections, and historical commentaries contained in a variety of books regarding our “City Beautiful.” Thus, to encourage your intellectual preparation for next year’s celebration of our 100th anniversary, I offer the following bibliography (from Jeannett’s and my personal collection) of essential titles (books, booklets, and pamphlets) for your reading adventure:
George Merrick – Son of the South Wind (Visionary Creator of Coral Gables), by Arva Moore Parks, University Press of Florida, 2015.
Coral Gables, an American Garden City, edited by Roberto M. Behar and Maurice G. Culot (preface by Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk), Norma Editions, 1997, a joint project of the University of Miami School of Architecture and the Institut Francais D’Architecture.
Coral Gables, Miami Riviera (An Architectural Guide), by Prof. Aristides J. Millas and Ellen J. Uguccioni (Preface by Mayor Don Slesnick), Dade Heritage Trust, 2003.
Images of America: Coral Gables, by Seth Bramson (preface by Mayor Don Slesnick), Arcadia Publishing, 2006.
The Biltmore, Beacon for Miami, by Helen Muir, revised and expanded 3rd edition, Valiant Press, 1998.
Romances of Coral Gables (1939 – 1942), by Juan Ramon Jimenez (Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957), translated by Maricel Mayor Marsan, Spanish Cultural Center of Miami, English edition, 2011.
Coral Gables, The City Beautiful Story, by Les Standiford, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce [Pres./CEO of the Chamber, former City Commissioner Ron Robison], Riverbend Books, 1998.
George Merrick’s Coral Gables “Where Your ‘Castles in Spain’ Are Made Real!” by Arva Moore Parks, book design by Peter Zorn, Ponce Circle Development/Centennial Press, 2006.
Rendezvous with Greatness (The 75th Anniversary of the University of Miami, 1926 – 2001), by William Marina and Charlton W. Tebeau, University of Miami Press, 2001.
Landscapes of Coral Gables, Photographs by Robert Klemm (with acknowledgments of appreciation to my friends Cindy Seip and Michael Beeman), 2005.
Song of the Wind on a Southern Shore (And Other Poems of Florida), by George Merrick, The Four Seas Company, 1920. Reprinted by the City of Coral Gables in 2003 with proceeds to the Merrick House.
The Miracle of Coral Gables, by Rex Beach, illustrated by Edward A. Wilson, copyright by George Merrick, Currier & Hartford, 1926 (rare edition).
The Streets of Coral Gables (Their Names and Their Meanings), by Joaquin Roy, University of Miami Ideas Publications, 1992.
Pictorial Guide of Coral Gables, Florida, published by the Coral Gables Board of Realtors in celebration of its 50th anniversary (Carole Fewell was president), printed by Miami Riviera Publishing Company, 1983.
Consider Coral Gables, by Mary Helm Clarke, Parker Art Printers (dedicated to “Future Dreamers and Builders of Coral Gables”), 1948.
The Dream Lives On (A History of the Fairchild Tropical Garden, 1938 – 1988), by Bertram Zuckerman, Banyan Books, 1988.
Pinewood Cemetery, Coral Gables, Florida (A History with Pioneer Biographies), by Harriet Stiger Liles, self-published, 2008.
Historic Coral Gables, Self-Guided Tour, Junior League of Miami, 1985 (Dorothy Thomson was Mayor).
Coral Gables, Building a Dream, The Coral Gables Museum, Shenandoah Middle School Museums Magnet Program and the Villagers, 2009/2010.
Coral Gables In Postcards, Scenes from Florida’s Yesterday, by Samuel D. LaRoue, Jr. and Ellen J. Uguccioni, Dade Heritage Trust, 1988.
Celebrate! (The Preview Exhibition of the Coral Gables Museum at Old Spanish Village), Arva Moore Parks as guest curator, design by Tom Graboski, cover art by Tom Spain, 2008.
This column appears monthly by Don Slesnick, who served as mayor of Coral Gables from 2001 to 2011. If you wish to reach him with suggestions on where he should next meander in search of the city’s soul, email donslesnick@scllp.com. Read more of his rambles.