When Solomon Merrick moved his family from New England to a plot of land southwest of Miami in 1898, he had no idea that his son, George, would become the founder of one of America's most fabled cities. When the senior Merrick died in 1911, George, who was working in New York, returned to the Miami area, establishing a major citrus and produce farm on his family's land. Then he entered the booming Miami real estate market of the early 1920s, finally embarking on the building of a city. The story of Coral Gables is also the story of George Merrick, and the photographs in this volume evoke poignant memories of the City Beautiful's storied past. Images in this book include views of early Coral Way and Miracle Mile, Ponce de Leon Boulevard, the Coliseum, beloved restaurants and clubs, the Venetian Pool, the Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables High School, the trolleys, the University of Miami, and some of the people who brought Coral Gables to life and helped make it a great city. When Solomon Merrick moved his family from New England to a plot of land southwest of Miami in 1898, he had no idea that his son, George, would become the founder of one of America's most fabled cities. When the senior Merrick died in 1911, George, who was working in New York, returned to the Miami area, establishing a major citrus and produce farm on his family's land. Then he entered the booming Miami real estate market of the early 1920s, finally embarking on the building of a city. The story of Coral Gables is also the story of George Merrick, and the photographs in this volume evoke poignant memories of the City Beautiful's storied past. Images in this book include views of early Coral Way and Miracle Mile, Ponce de Leon Boulevard, the Coliseum, beloved restaurants and clubs, the Venetian Pool, the Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables High School, the trolleys, the University of Miami, and some of the people who brought Coral Gables to life and helped make it a great city.

The story of developers selling off the Sunshine State is as old as the first railroad tracks laid across the peninsula. But seldom do we hear about the men who actually built a better Florida. In George Merrick, Son of the South Wind, South Florida historian Arva Moore Parks recounts George Merrick's quest to distinguish himself from the legions of developers who sought only profit. Helping to create the land boom of the 1920s, Merrick transformed his family's citrus grove just outside of Miami into one of the finest planned communities: the "master suburb" of Coral Gables. With a team of architects and city planners, he built homes for the growing middle class in the Mediterranean Style using local stone, and he invested in public infrastructure by designing and building parks and pools, trolley lines and waterways. He pledged land for a library and the university that would become the University of Miami. Hailed in national publications as a visionary, Merrick was green before green, a New Urbanist before the movement even had a name. As Coral Gables and Merrick prospered, he reinvested in education, affordable housing, and other progressive causes. But the Great Depression ravaged Miami, and Merrick's idealism cost him his fortune. He died with an estate worth less than $400. With unprecedented access to the Merrick family and mining a treasure trove of Merrick’s personal letters, documents, speeches, and manuscripts, Parks presents the remarkable story of George Merrick and the development of one of the nation’s most iconic planned cities.

A guide to traveling in Miami and the Florida Keys that provides information on the region's historical landmarks, popular attractions, nightlife, restaurants, hotels, shops, and activities, with detailed maps and complete walking and driving tours.

A guide to traveling in Miami and the Florida Keys that provides information on the region's historical landmarks, popular attractions, nightlife, restaurants, hotels, shops, and activities, with detailed maps and complete walking and driving tours.

Welcome to the Sunshine State! Millions of people from around the world visit Florida each year, and it's not hard to see why. From its magical theme parks and nature trails to sun-kissed beaches and sizzling nightlife - Florida has got it all! Whatever your dream trip to Florida includes, this travel guide has got you covered. Take the new lightweight Florida travel book wherever you go. Inside the pages of DK Eyewitness Florida, you'll find: - Our pick of Florida's must-sees, top experiences and hidden gems. - The best spots to eat, drink, shop and stay. - Detailed maps and walks to make navigating the state easy.Easy-to-follow itineraries. - Expert advice: get ready, get around and stay safe. - Color-coded chapters to every part of Florida, from the Gold Coast to the Gulf Coast, Orlando to the Florida Keys. Get ready to discover the best of Florida - your journey starts now! Visit the Mission Control Room at the Kennedy Space Center, take an airboat ride in the swamps of the Everglades and see gators in action. Discover the historic Coral Gables and the laid-back islands of the Keys. This guide to Florida will ensure your trip is unforgettable! See Florida come to life in spectacular detail with photographs on practically every page and hand-drawn illustrations that place you inside the state's iconic buildings and neighborhoods. From the historic towns of the northern Panhandle to the food, culture and nightlife of urban chic Miami, this guidebook breaks up Florida into easily navigable adventures, with expert local knowledge, trusted travel advice and comprehensive maps. More journeys to take! DK Eyewitness is the most up-to-date travel guide series following the COVID-19 outbreak. Each guide includes expert-led insights into the world's most famous countries and cities, things to do, and places to stay. Want the best of Miami in your pocket? Try our DK Eyewitness Top 10 Miami and the Keys.

Christopher Knowlton, author of Cattle Kingdom and former Fortune writer, takes an in-depth look at the spectacular Florida land boom of the 1920s and shows how it led directly to the Great Depression. The 1920s in Florida was a time of incredible excess, immense wealth, and precipitous collapse. The decade there produced the largest human migration in American history, far exceeding the settlement of the West, as millions flocked to the grand hotels and the new cities that rose rapidly from the teeming wetlands. The boom spawned a new subdivision civilization—and the most egregious large-scale assault on the environment in the name of “progress.” Nowhere was the glitz and froth of the Roaring Twenties more excessive than in Florida. Here was Vegas before there was a Vegas: gambling was condoned and so was drinking, since prohibition was not enforced. Tycoons, crooks, and celebrities arrived en masse to promote or exploit this new and dazzling American frontier in the sunshine. Yet, the import and deep impact of these historical events have never been explored thoroughly until now. In Bubble in the Sun Christopher Knowlton examines the grand artistic and entrepreneurial visions behind Coral Gables, Boca Raton, Miami Beach, and other storied sites, as well as the darker side of the frenzy. For while giant fortunes were being made and lost and the nightlife raged more raucously than anywhere else, the pure beauty of the Everglades suffered wanton ruination and the workers, mostly black, who built and maintained the boom, endured grievous abuses. Knowlton breathes dynamic life into the forces that made and wrecked Florida during the decade: the real estate moguls Carl Fisher, George Merrick, and Addison Mizner, and the once-in-a-century hurricane whose aftermath triggered the stock market crash. This essential account is a revelatory—and riveting—history of an era that still affects our country today.

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Florida will lead you straight to the best attractions the Sunshine State has to offer. Explore the state's history, architecture, wildlife, beaches, and scenic walks. This in-depth guidebook covers all the major cities and sights, from Miami Beach and the Florida Keys to the Everglades, the Gulf Coast, and more. It provides the insider travel tips you need, whether you are making the most of the nightlife or discovering historic towns. Discover DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Florida. + Detailed itineraries and "don't-miss" destination highlights at a glance. + Illustrated cutaway 3-D drawings of important sights. + Floor plans and guided visitor information for major museums. + Guided walking tours, local drink and dining specialties to try, things to do, and places to eat, drink, and shop by area. + Area maps marked with sights and restaurants. + Insights into history and culture to help you understand the stories behind the sights. + Suggested day trips and itineraries to explore beyond the cities and towns. + Hotel and restaurant listings highlight DK Choice special recommendations. With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Florida truly shows you this state as no one else can.

Now available in PDF format. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Florida will lead you straight to the best attractions Florida has to offer, and provides the insider travel tips you need, whether you are making the most of the nightlife or discovering historic towns. Fully illustrated, it covers all the major cities and sights, from Miami Beach and the Florida Keys, to the Everglades, the Gulf Coast, and more. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Florida explores the culture, history, architecture, wildlife, beaches, and scenic walks. You'll find 3-D illustrated cutaways and floor plans of all the must-see sights, as well as street maps and reliable information for getting around the state. Plus, this guidebook is packed with comprehensive listings of the best hotels, restaurants, shops, and nightlife in each area for all budgets. With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that brighten every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Florida truly shows you this state as no one else can.

The DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Florida is your indispensable guide to this beautiful part of the U.S. The fully updated guide includes unique cutaways, floor plans, and reconstructions of the must-see sites, plus street-by-street maps of all the fascinating cities and towns. This new-look guide is also packed with photographs and illustrations leading you straight to the best attractions. This uniquely visual DK Eyewitness Travel Guide will help you discover everything region-by-region, from local festivals and markets to day trips around the countryside. Detailed listings will guide you to the best hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops for all budgets, while detailed practical information will help you to get around, whether by train, bus, or car. Plus, DK's excellent insider tips and essential local information will help you explore every corner of Florida effortlessly.