Don’s Rambles: Meandering Around Town #15
An Adventure in which a former mayor continues to seek the “soul” of his hometown
The underlying theme of my monthly essays is “seeking the soul of our hometown.” On closer examination, the “soul” is an amorphous entity which exists existentially – not a specific place or thing. On the other hand, the “heart” is a definable vital organ of substance which pumps life blood to the rest of the body – in this case the city. That is why I have rambled from North Greenway Drive to City Hall, our town’s hundred-year-old heart, situated at the western terminus of Miracle Mile.
For the last century, City Hall has been the site of Coral Gables governance. The place where our Commission, boards, and committees meet to set policies, adopt legislation, formulate master plans – in other words, lay the foundation for successfully creating and maintaining the “City Beautiful.”
It is certainly our most important municipal landmark created by Merrick’s architect “dream team” comprised of Phineas Paist, Walter DeGarmo, and Denman Fink. The structure exemplifies classical Mediterranean design featuring a bell/clock tower, fountains, and a majestic second-floor semicircular columned portico (with a striking resemblance to the Philadelphia Exchange Building), capped by a detailed relief of the city’s “Coat of Arms.” It majestically fronts the bustling central business district and stands guard over the peaceful residential streets to its rear. More recent additions of interest include: the flags of various nations which encircle the Commission Chambers, representing the locations of our Sister Cities and those countries whose consulates are situated within the city; an impressive wall-sized Erika King collage inside the west entrance, with scenes from around the community; and, most importantly, the two-story statue of George Merrick facing Miracle Mile, authorized by the City Commission in the late 1920s and finally erected in 2006. (A more complete discussion of the building’s physical attributes can be found in Patrick Alexander’s soon-to-be-released book, “Coral Gables, The First Hundred Years”.)
Every Mayor from Doc Dammers to Vince Lago has been housed in this building along with the many Commissioners who have served and continue to serve at their side. Besides the legislative branch of our municipal government, City Hall is the home of the administration, including the City Manager, the City Clerk, and the City Attorney. Thus, we can rightfully say that this structure is where we find the heartbeat of Coral Gables.
Before starting my meander home, I reflect on the splendor of our city while sitting in the shadow of Mr. Merrick’s statue. A tribute poem written by one of our long-time residents (before departing to spend her “golden years” with family in California), Evelyn King George, captures this moment:
“A city of beauty, A city to love; With palm trees and bougainvillea, swaying ‘neath bright skies above; Coral rock homes on curb-less streets, architecture blending where new and old meet; A city with shimmering blue waterways, inviting egrets and seagulls to nest there and play; A city of charm with preserved style and grace, creating tranquility like no other place…That’s Coral Gables!”
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.
Uncover the soul of Coral Gables—dive into Don’s Rambles for a journey through the city’s timeless charm and history.