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| Gables HISTORY |
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 It all started in the early 1920’s when George Merrick, the founder of Coral Gables, developed a sales program to sell lots and buildings he constructed to create one of the nation's first fully-planned communities called Coral Gables.
Full-page ads were run in leading newspapers all over the country, convincing people that they needed to claim profits waiting for all who bought lots in this novel planned city.
Prospective buyers were brought to Coral Gables in big busses painted coral color with a legend painted in big blue letters “From Here and Everywhere to Coral Gables.”
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How Did The Miami Hurricanes Get Their Name
Did you know that the Seasonal relationship between the Hurricane Season and The University of Miami has existed since the first day the university was scheduled to open 79 years ago this Sunday.
It was September 18, 1926 -- the same day the dreaded hurricane of 1926 hit South Florida -- leaving the town in shambles and sending the booming local economy into a serious dive.
Not surprisingly, some wondered if naming the team Hurricanes might be in poor taste in light of the devastation. Suggestions were offered. One popular name of choice among the trustees was Hibiscus. In the end, the name Hurricanes was retained.
When Gables founder George Merrick's family arrived at the old Gregory homestead in 1899, they found two acres of guavas and a little wooden cabin. When the time came to improve their lodging in 1906, they designed a majestic home with classic columns, broad overhangs and an exterior of rugged local stone. When it came time to give the new home a name, some discussion ensued among George's parents. Solomon Merrick, it is said, was influenced by the moniker of President Grover Cleveland's Cape Cod summer home, Gray Gables. Althea Merrick, with profound respect for the first crop of guavas they sold for $200, was partial to the name Guavonia.
Next time you're at the Orange Bowl watching the national champion Miami Hurricanes play football and the crowd is cheering 'Go Canes' just remember that if things had gone just a little different along the way, we might be screaming our undying support on Saturday afternoons for the Fighting Hibiscus of Guavonia!
-Robert Burr, Pedestrian Guide,[FridayInCoralGables@pedestrianguides.com]
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