Centennial Corner
Enjoy selected stories of Coral Gables.
Historic Horse Riding Trail
In 2017, the city and the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables (HPACG) dedicated a historic marker to the Coral Gables Riding Academy and its show ring, which were significant in the city's equestrian history. The marker is located at 2320 Salzedo St, the former site of the show ring. The academy, managed by the Gazlay family from 1930 to 1952, brought horses and show events to the city. The median of Alhambra Circle, which ran along the back of the stable, was originally laid out with a bridle path. The 35-mile horse trails ran along Alhambra and Country Club Prado, around the Granada Golf Course, the Biltmore course, the campus of the University of Miami, and by the waterways.
George Washington Carver School
George Washington Carver School recently celebrated its 125th anniversary. Founded in 1899 during the era of segregation, it began as a private school for Black children under the name Dade Training School, affectionately referred to as “The Little Schoolhouse." Many of the early settlers' children from the MacFarlane Homestead and Golden Gate subdivisions attended the school. The school later became public serving elementary and middle school students. After moving through various locations in its early years, the school found a permanent home in 1924 when Coral Gables founder George Merrick offered the Board of Education the five-acre site where it now stands. Here, it became the Dade County Training School. The school expanded its reach to high school students in 1934 and was renamed in 1942 in honor of Dr. George Washington Carver, a renowned African American scientist and inventor celebrated for his contributions to agriculture and education.
The Granada Entrance
The Granada Entrance, located at Granada Boulevard and SW 8th Street, was the first gateway built in Coral Gables in 1922–23. Designed by Denman Fink and constructed from coral rock by Charles Merrick, brother of city founder George Merrick, the entrance was inspired by a Spanish gate in Granada. A Spanish master mason crafted its intricate stonework, also seen in the Poinciana House and Coral Gables Congregational Church. The 300-foot-long entrance features pergolas, seating areas and fountains on either side.
Marking the Occasion
In honor of the City Beautiful’s centennial on April 29, iconic landmarks and institutions across South Florida lit up to celebrate Coral Gables' 100th anniversary. The historic Biltmore Hotel, Loews Coral Gables Hotel, Alhambra Towers and City Hall were all illuminated in orange to mark the occasion. At Miami International Airport, travelers were welcomed with a congratulatory electronic banner, while students and staff at Florida International University joined in the celebration with a message displayed prominently on campus billboards. The media also spotlighted this historic milestone. The Miami Herald featured the city’s centennial celebration on its front page, recognizing Coral Gables as a cornerstone of South Florida’s history. Other outlets—including Miami Today, Community News, Diario Las Américas and Coral Gables Magazine—published special sections commemorating the centennial and reflecting on the city’s legacy of innovation, preservation and beauty.
The White Way Lights
As the city celebrates its centennial, it is proud to preserve its rich heritage and showcase the White Way Lights corridor. In the 1920s, the ornamental bases of the original light poles were designed by Phineas Paist, supervising architect for Coral Gables, and Denman Fink, the city's art director. The light poles were designated as Local Historic Landmarks in 1981. The light poles that remained after this period were owned by Florida Power and Light (FPL), and were replaced with standard poles upon disrepair. The city later acquired ownership of the light poles from FPL, restored the original poles and replicated the missing ones. Today, the White Way Light corridor runs on University Drive between Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Bird Road, and on Riviera Drive from University Drive to Anastasia Avenue.
Bowman Foster Ashe
As the University of Miami (UM) celebrates its centennial, we salute Bowman Foster Ashe, who was recruited to lead the newly chartered school in 1925. By fall 1926, when the first class of 646 full-time students enrolled, the land bust and a major hurricane thwarted any hopes of a speedy recovery in the area. However, due to his tenacious spirit and vision, he kept the university going during its first 15 years despite bankruptcy, reorganization and a world war. By 1946, more than 5,000 students were registered at UM. When the school first opened, it consisted of a College of Liberal Arts, the School of Music, and the Evening division. During Ashe's tenure (1926-1952), the school added a School of Law, School of Business Administration, School of Education, Graduate School, Marine Laboratory, School of Engineering, and School of Medicine.
Ruth Bryan Owen
Daughter of William Jennings Bryan, Ruth was a Coral Gables resident who became the first woman from Florida (and the South) elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the first woman to serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. She later became the first female U.S. Ambassador, appointed to Denmark and Iceland by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Her significant contributions to our city’s heritage are commemorated by a Coral Gables park named in her honor.
Martha Dewing Woodward
A renowned artist and founder of the School of Fine Arts at the University of Miami, contributed to Coral Gables’ cultural legacy with her breathtaking mural at the Coral Gables Woman’s Club. Her depiction of the Everglades, commissioned by the Federal Arts Project, remains a cherished piece of public art.
Marion Manley
One of Florida’s pioneering architects, broke barriers as the second woman registered to practice architecture in the state. Among her many contributions, she designed several significant buildings at the University of Miami, including the Chapel of St. Bede the Venerable, embodying the principles of vernacular architecture while also mentoring future generations through her role as a member of the faculty.
Lucile Neher
In 1951, Lucile Neher made history as the first woman elected to the Coral Gables City Commission. Her six years of service on the dais, alongside her roles as a businesswoman, wife, and mother, exemplified a commitment to civic leadership and a pioneering spirit that inspired many.
Sarah Anderson
Anderson was a devoted preservation advocate and played a vital role in safeguarding Coral Gables’ historic charm. Her efforts led to the designation of Coral Way as a historic roadway and obtaining the landmark status of the city’s decorative "White Way" streetlights, helping preserve these treasures for future generations.
Nellie B. Moore
Nellie B. Moore was a beloved custodian at the Dade County Training School, which was later renamed the George Washington Carver School. She played a vital role in the education sector and was a cherished member of the MacFarlane Homestead community. Her legacy is memorialized at a park named in her honor, located at 202 Jefferson Drive.
Lola B. Walker
Lola B. Walker was an advocate for the Golden Gate subdivision, a predominantly Black neighborhood where the area's first pioneers and Bahamian immigrant laborers settled. She tirelessly engaged with city officials to ensure the needs of her community were met. Walker's staunch advocacy led to the formation of a homeowners’ organization focused on improving and preserving Coral Gables' MacFarlane Homestead and Golden Gate subdivisions. As a result of the group’s advocacy the MacFarlane Homestead District was designated historic by the U.S. in 1994. In tribute of her efforts, the association was named the Lola B. Walker Homeowners Association and the green space at the corner of Grand Avenue and Lincoln Drive was named Lola B. Walker Pioneers' Park.
William A. Cooper
William A. Cooper was born in 1929 in Coconut Grove to Bahamian immigrants. He was a graduate of George Washington Carver High School and attended Saint Augustine's College. Cooper went on to become a significant figure in Coral Gables history. He and his wife, Leona Cooper Baker, became civic leaders while juggling careers and family. Cooper cofounded of the Lola B. Walker Homeowners' Association, an organization which sought to improve and preserve Coral Gables' MacFarlane Homestead district, the only predominantly Black neighborhood in Coral Gables. Due to their efforts, the MacFarlane subdivision was designated a U.S. Historic District in May 1994. In honor of Cooper's service to the community, the green space at the corner of Grand Avenue and Washington Drive was named William A. Cooper Park, and was later renamed William & Leona Cooper Park.
George Allen
Allen moved to South Florida from the Bahamas in 1928 seeking a better life. He was employed by George Merrick, the founder of Coral Gables, and rose quickly through the ranks to become a foreman. He made wise investments by purchasing land and properties in Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and South Dade. As a result, he became self-employed. By the late 1930s, Allen had built a home on Industrial Avenue in Coral Gables as his business grew. In addition to real estate, his businesses also included selling wood in the winter, hauling watermelons, farming and operating a produce truck. To honor Allen, the City of Coral Gables renamed Industrial Avenue as George Allen Avenue in 1994.
Contact us
Stay connected
Coral Gables City Hall
405 Biltmore Way
Coral Gables, FL 33134
​
Tel: 305-446-6800​
