Why do they call it?



Preface


The theme for this blog—like the theme for the book that follows, “AN UNUSUAL HISTORY OF MIAMI,”-- sprang from magazine articles in 1984 and 1985 in the "Miami Realtor", the monthly publication of the Miami Board of Realtors. The series’ was named: “Miami Signposts: Why Do They Call It?”.

Each article explains the name and history of a street or causeway, a park, an island, a shopping center, building or institution or a person or event in Greater Miami. One article explains the name “Miami” another, “Dade County.” All explanations contain all information the reader needs.

Originally, I wrote these articles to help Cuban refugees understand strange (to them) names in their new homeland. There were 21 articles that were equally popular with historians and history buffs-- as well as others, just curious about the name of a street where he (or she) lived, a favorite recreation spot or some- thing of special interest to the family.

At-the-time- Miami Mayor Robert King High asked for copies of “Why Do They Call It Dinner Key?” The Miami Board of Realtors printed thousands of additional copies which I deliver to the receptionist at City Hall’s Information Desk to help her answer questions from tourists, locals and others.

A number of the original articles were republished for the same reasons by realty boards of Miami Beach, Hialeah and Kendall, by "Up Date", the magazine of the Historical Association of Southern Florida and "Preservation Today", the magazine of "Dade Heritage Trust". At the same time—and also in response to the articles--I got invitations to speak to Dade County public school classes, talking with the children about articles I had written. I also appeared on local Miami TV.

Recently, I realized I had been successful for four reasons: first, there still exists an unsatisfied curiosity about Miami history. Also I chose to select interesting subjects. Each subject was also portrayed accurately and from start to finish, each article was fast reading.

Some time ago, I decided I could expect similar experiences by posting these and similar articles on my blog I have named “MIAMI SIGNPOSTS." I posted seven photo copies of original articles to get things started--Tigertail Avenue, LeJeune Road, Freedom Tower, Merri Christmas Park, Crandon Park, Miami and Tamiami Trail. And I followed up with a new article explaining the Julia Tuttle Causeway.

Equally important-- and from now on-- I will be posting on my blog at least one article each month—sometimes more. A few may be re-writes or up-dates—but many will be “brand new”! . So I urge you to mark your calendar.

And I cordially invite you to join us!

Sincerely,

WELLBORN PHILLIPS, JR.

Pageviews

Monday, June 17, 2013

WHY DO THEY CALL IT CHRISTMAS PART? (Rewrite)



WHY DO THEY CALL IT MERRIE CHRISTMAS PARK?


By Wellborn Phillips 


Any story about Merrie Christmas Park must include its modest beginning.  For years, it was a gravel pit from which rock was mined to widen and improve Old Cutler Road and nearby streets.  This gives the 4.5 acre park its topography:  high around the edges, low in the middle, which makes the neighbors  feel they live on a high hill.  After all, they are 20’ above the bottom of the park.  And children playing in the park get a unique thrill: where else in Florida can you roll down a hill!

Merrie Christmas, for whom the park was named, was the daughter of Miami Mayor Randy Christmas.  The youngest of the three Christmas daughters, she was a bright, happy, attractive little girl despite her health.  She was also a brave little girl who won
the admiration of Miami as she fought a long fight for her own life which she knew she could not win.

Merrie was born with only one kidney, but she was three years old before her condition was correctly diagnosed.  An operation was scheduled.  Merrie’s mother planned to donate her own kidney to her daughter.  But the transplant was impossible due to Marrie’s deteriorated condition.  The prognosis:  the three-year-old would live only a few months longer.

The Coconut Grove Park, at the corner of LeJeune Road and Barbarossa Avenue, was formerly known as Barbarossa Park.  But the City Commission reacted to a city wide wave of sympathy for the Christmas family and re-named it Merrie Christmas Park.

It was a fitting gesture.  The Christmas family lived only a block away on Hardie Road.  The children spent many happy hours playing in the park.

Years later, Merrie’s mother recalled “The Commission voted to name the park after her. And they thought she would not be able to live long enough to enjoy it.  But she proved them wrong.  Every year she would go to the park for her birthday.  She called it her park.  Sometimes we would go down there on Christmas.”

Merrie lived on for 2 more years and 12 major operations.  She made a partial recovery, wrote short stories, became an avid collector of coins and sea shells, and completed Kenwood  Elementary and Glades Junior High.  Practically to the end, she refused to miss school.


Merrie enrolled in Killian High, but her condition deteriorated further and she passed away on March 28, 1969—six days before her l5th birthday.  The unique park is a fitting memorial to a remarkable little girl.




Posted by at
Labels:

3 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 13, 2018 at 12:40 PM

    Merrie lived on for 12 more years and 12 major operations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousMay 5, 2022 at 6:57 PM

      Yes, it was confusing, thank you.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 9, 2022 at 4:37 PM

    Took my kids there many times to play in the trees and run up and down the rim of the park.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)