Jump to content

George E. Merrick

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by PLVSOVLTRE (talk | contribs) at 20:28, 9 June 2022 (→Controversy). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

George E. Merrick
George Edgar Merrick (1886-1942)
developer of Coral Gables, Florida
Photo from Florida Photographic Collection
Born(1886-06-03)June 3, 1886
Springdale, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMarch 26, 1942(1942-03-26) (aged 55)
Miami, Florida U.S.
SpouseEunice Isabella Peacock
Parent(s)Solomon Greasley Merrick (1859-1911)
Althea Fink Merrick (1859-1937)[1]
RelativesEthel Merrick (sister)

George Edgar Merrick (June 3, 1886 – March 26, 1942) was a real estate developer who is best known as the planner and builder of the city of Coral Gables, Florida in the 1920s, one of the first major planned communities in the United States.

Family background and youth

Merrick was born in the Pittsburgh suburb of Springdale, Pennsylvania. His father Solomon G. Merrick was a Congregationalist minister. The family moved to Miami, Florida from Duxbury, Massachusetts in 1898 [2] when George was 12 years old. He attended Rollins College in Winter Park. Upon graduation, Merrick moved to New York to study law until 1911 when his father's death prompted him to return to Miami.[3]

Career

In October, 1915, Merrick was appointed by the governor of Florida to replace F.A. Bryant as the county commissioner in District 1. He spent the next 15 months on the commission championing the building of roads in south Florida, including major arteries that would later serve to connect his well-planned community of Coral Gables with the fast-growing city of Miami. Along with Commissioner Edward DeVere Burr of Arch Creek, the two men ushered the vast majority of all road construction projects in Dade County, including the construction of South Dixie Highway (US 1), the Tamiami Trail across the Everglades, the County Causeway to Miami Beach, Ingraham Highway (later known as Old Cutler Road) along the coast, the Miami Canal Highway and many others. These improvements allowed the population of Greater Miami to quadruple from 1915 to 1921, transforming a pioneer territory into a burgeoning metropolis.

Coral Gables

Beginning in 1922, on 3,000 acres (12 km²) of citrus groves and land covered in pine trees which his father had left him, Merrick began carving out a town along the lines of the City Beautiful movement. He designed the new town in great detail, featuring wide, tree-lined boulevards, delicate bridges and sedate urban golf courses. Merrick's secret was his passionate devotion to aesthetics. He wanted to focus on the finest details of this town not just on the major ideas behind the project. As a result, his team included men of diverse background, such as Denman Fink, an artist, H. George Fink and Phineas Paist, both architects, and Frank Button, a landscape artist. Another important aspect of the planning that was very important to Merrick was zoning divisions. Merrick wanted areas of the community to be set aside as commercial, residential or recreational and he wanted the divisions to be clear [4]

In three years, Merrick spent over $20 million to build a thousand Mediterranean style houses, which complemented the Biltmore Hotel, the country clubs, and the other community buildings that Merrick had also designed and overseen the construction of.[5]

In a 1925 interview with the New York Times, Merrick commented: "Just how I came to utilize the Spanish type of architecture in Coral Gables, I can hardly say, except that it always seemed to me to be the only way houses should be built down there in those tropical surroundings."[6]

Once he was done building the core of Coral Gables, Merrick decided to branch out creatively. Many people who did not like the Mediterranean Revival Style rejected Coral Gables because its lack of variety. Merrick therefore decided to design small communities, or villages, within Coral Gables with different international influences.[7][8]

Merrick is credited with the establishment of the University of Miami in Coral Gables in 1925 with a donation of 600 acres (2.4 km2) of land and a pledge of $5 million. The following year, just weeks before the start of the inaugural school year, a devastating hurricane on September 17–18, 1926, followed by the Great Depression, ended Merrick's dreams of further developing Coral Gables.

With time, Merrick fell into heavy debt and by 1928 he was asked to leave the Coral Gables Commission. At this point, he left Coral Gables and moved to Upper Matecumbe Key, where he opened his Caribee Club, not far from the famous Long Key Fishing Camp, on nearby Long Key, an upscale fishing resort, with his wife. Merrick returned to Gables only when he became the postmaster for the county, two years before his death.[9] The monstrous Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, called the "Storm of the Century", destroyed almost everything on the Middle Keys, including Merrick's Caribee Club, which was never rebuilt.

Merrick proposed in 1937 "a complete slum clearance ... effectively removing every negro family from the present city limits." and the creation of a new negro village that would be a model for the entire United States.[10]

George Merrick's former home in Coral Gables, Coral Gables House, is maintained as a historic house museum. The Solomon G. Merrick Building at the University of Miami at Coral Gables was built in honor of Merrick's father, who was a Congregational minister and abolitionist.[1]

Controversy

In May 2021, the University of Miami announced the structure on Merrick Drive would no longer be referred to by George Merrick's name, but that the Solomon G. Merrick Building named in honor of George Merrick’s father would remain, and "as for the roadway, the renaming of George E. Merrick Street goes beyond the purview of the Board of Trustees."[11]

In the wake of Black Lives Matter protests, alumni and students from the University of Miami created a petition titled "Rename University of Miami facilities with a racist history."[12] The petition alleged George Merrick "boldly held and acted upon, racist segregationist beliefs throughout his life."[13] The petition did not mention that George Merrick faced criticism from the white community, when he let the black community's housing cross over the Color line (racism),[14] which violated with the segregationist laws of the time.[15] The petition did mentioned Merrick looked uo to his father, but did not mention that Merrick's father, Solomon G. Merrick, was an abolitionist, and a reverend with the one of the first American Protestant denominations to take a strong stand against slavery in the 1850's,[2] nor did it contextualize that George Merrick lived in a society where segregation was legally required because of Jim Crow laws, laws which predated his birth (b.1886) and superseded his death (d.1942).

The government sought to improve living conditions through Slum clearance in the United States, like with the Federal Housing Act of 1937, which defined a slum as "any area where dwellings predominate which, by reason of dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangements or design, lack of ventilation, light or sanitation facilities, or any combination of these factors, are detrimental to safety, health or morals."[16] In 1937, Merrick's proposed "Negro Resettlement Plan," as part of slum clearance, would have relocated Black residents to new locations outside of their current segregated housing in Miami.[17] Merrick recognized and lamented that the living conditions for the black community were unfair, and he advocated for the black community to have access to water, fresh crops, and larger and beautiful homes.[18]

In a 1937 speech, Merrick lamented the unfair living conditions of the black community, "[i]f I had anything in the wagon left over, I would go over into negro town and get rid of it. Sadly, but truly, that is the picture of how we have always treated our negro population. If anything is left over, or anything we do not want, then the negroes get that. Today one third of our present population is negro. When we will have a million people, we will have at least a fourth of a million negroes. Today this third of our present citizenry are effectively denied water access and “water use.” Now collectively, as well as individually, we cannot receive fairness, unless we give fairness. It is proposed—for Miami at least, that this unfair condition be remedied. It is proposed to give fairness to this deserving one third of our citizenry. It is proposed that at a proper point on this proposed fifty mile water Loop, that a great Bay beach be established and forever preserved for negro use. And that similarly, on the ocean side of the Loop that similar advantages be established and preferably in one whole little island facing on the Gulf Stream, which could ideally be made there for them an ocean and Gulf Stream park."[19]

The petition to remove Merrick's name from the University of Miami campus, claimed that "leading up to public votes on George Merrick’s aforementioned, “Slum Clearance Plan,” [from 1937] the use of racist advertisement materials was fairly wide-spread throughout Miami and the surrounding areas,"[20] the petition then cited an image of a slum clearance ad from the 1950s (years after the death of George Merrick), not from the 1930s, as implied.[21]

Published as part of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens "Black Voices," Dr. Dorothy Fields, historian and founder of The Black Archives, noted the significance of Merrick's admiration of the Bahamian community's impact and inspiration.[3] Merrick wrote a series of stories he titled “Men of the Magical Isles,” honoring the Bahamian laborers.[22] When "Nellie Powers, a Black woman in the community, decided to open a private school to educate Black children, Merrick, along with a biracial board, donated to the cause, up until that point “Miami had never seen such an inter-racial effort.”"[23][24]

Personal life

On February 5, 1916, Merrick married Eunice Isabella Peacock, daughter of Coconut Grove pioneers, R.A.S. Peacock and Lilian Irene Frow.[25] Merrick built a home for his bride, called Poinciana Place',[26] located at 937 Coral Way, in Coral Gables.[27]

Legacy and honors

  • The World War II Liberty Ship SS George E. Merrick was named in his honor.
  • In 1927, Merrick was awarded the Order of Isabella the Catholic by King Alfonso XII of Spain for his support of Spanish culture in Coral Gables.[28][29]
  • In 2006, the Coral Gables Garden Club commissioned a statue of George Merrick to be placed in front of City Hall.[30] The bronze statue was crafted by American sculptor, William Beckwith.[31] [32] Architect Rocco Ceo designed the pedestal for the statue and surrounding bench, which were constructed from coral rock.[33]
  • On June 3, 2021, the City of Coral Gables celebrated its inaugural "Founder's Day Ceremony" at City Hall, marking the 135th anniversary of George Merrick's birthday to commemorate his legacy.[34]
  • The cover of the July 2021 edition of Coral Gables Magazine features a watercolor painting honoring Merrick by artist Carlos Garcia-Barbon; the painting depicts the bronze George Merrick statue in front of City Hall.[35]
  • In 2022, the City of Coral Gables enacted a resolution recognizing June 3rd as "Founder's Day in Coral Gables" honoring Merrick on the anniversary of his birthday.[36]
Coral Gables City Hall with its statue of Merrick.

Merrick appears as a major supporting character in the 2014 point and click adventure A Golden Wake.

References

Notes
  1. ^ "Coral Gables Merrick House". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  2. ^ Florida Editors 1925 p. 174
  3. ^ "Miami and the story of its remarkable growth : an interview with George E. Merrick". The New York Times. March 15, 1925. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  4. ^ Steig, Stacy. "A History of Coral Gables". Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
  5. ^ "Miami and the story of its remarkable growth : an interview with George E. Merrick". The New York Times. March 15, 1925. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  6. ^ "Miami and the story of its remarkable growth : an interview with George E. Merrick". The New York Times. March 15, 1925. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  7. ^ Steig, Stacy. "A History of Coral Gables". Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
  8. ^ "PHOTOS: Would You Buy This Very Unusual Gables Pad?". 28 January 2013.
  9. ^ Steig, Stacy. "A History of Coral Gables". Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
  10. ^ The African American Heritage of Florida, edited by David R. Colburn and Jane L. Landers, p329. (Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 1995)
  11. ^ "University reaffirms commitment to 'belonging and justice' through naming, renaming of facilities". news.miami.edu. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  12. ^ Feinstein, Naomi (2020-07-23). "Students petition to rename Merrick Building on campus over George Merrick's segregationist ideas". The Miami Hurricane. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  13. ^ Feinstein, Naomi (2020-07-23). "Students petition to rename Merrick Building on campus over George Merrick's segregationist ideas". The Miami Hurricane. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  14. ^ Parks, Arva Moore (2015). George Merrick: Son of the Southern Wind. University Press of Florida.
  15. ^ admin (2021-05-19). "Opinion: George Merrick Was Grounded In Progressive Values And Humanitarian Principles". Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  16. ^ "Slum Clearance: 1932–1952". CQ Researcher by CQ Press. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  17. ^ "In 'pursuit of racial justice,' University of Miami to rename George Merrick structure". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
  18. ^ "P. 12-13". digitalcollections.library.miami.edu. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  19. ^ "Page 12". digitalcollections.library.miami.edu. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  20. ^ "Adobe Acrobat". acrobat.adobe.com. pp. 4–5. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  21. ^ Mohl, Raymond A. "Shadows in the Sunshine: Race and Ethnicity in Miami" (PDF). p. 73.
  22. ^ Parks, Arva Moore (2015). George Merrick: Son of the South Wind. University Press of Florida. p. 77.
  23. ^ admin (2021-05-19). "Opinion: George Merrick Was Grounded In Progressive Values And Humanitarian Principles". Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  24. ^ Parks, Arva Moore (2015). George Merrick: Son of the Southern Wind. University Press Florida.
  25. ^ Bonawit, Oby J. (1980). Miami, Florida: Early Families and Records. Miami, FL: Genealogical Society of Greater Miami. p. 54.
  26. ^ "Coral Gables: The City Beautiful". Historical Museum of Southern Florida. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  27. ^ "Merrick House Brochure". Historical Resources. City of Coral Gables. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  28. ^ Martinez Carbonell, Karelia (26 October 2020). "George E. Merrick was above all a good man". www.communitynewspapers.com. Miami's Community Newspapers.
  29. ^ Freeland, Helen C. "George Edgar Merrick" (PDF). www.digitalcollections.fiu.edu. Florida International University Digital Collections.
  30. ^ "Statue of George Merrick". Coral Gables Garden Club. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  31. ^ "Statue of George Merrick". Coral Gables Garden Club. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  32. ^ Box 1848, The University of Mississippi P. O.; University; Usa915-7211, Ms 38677 (2019-02-04). "Bill Beckwith". Art & Art History. Retrieved 2022-06-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ "Statue of George Merrick". Coral Gables Garden Club. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  34. ^ ArtDirector (2021-07-01). "July/August 2021". Coral Gables Magazine. p. 16. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  35. ^ ArtDirector (2021-07-01). "July/August 2021". Coral Gables Magazine. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  36. ^ "City of Coral Gables - File #: 22-3968". coralgables.legistar.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
Bibliography
  • Ashley, Kathryne, George E. Merrick and Coral Gables (Cristal Bay Publishers, 1985).
  • "Minutes of the Dade County Commission 1915-1917" (Clerk of the Dade County Commission).
  • David Nolan, Fifty Feet in Paradise: The Booming of Florida. (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1984).
  • Florida Editors Association, The Book of Florida (No place); James O. Jones, 1925
  • Parks, Arva Moore, George Merrick, Son of the South Wind: Visionary Creator of Coral Gables, University Press of Florida, 2015. ISBN 978-0813061511.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=George_E._Merrick&oldid=1092358279"