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.

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Monday, June 3, 2013

WHY DO THEY CALL IT FREEDOM TOWER (Rewrite)



WHY DO THEY CALL IT FREEDOM TOWER?

NOTE; this is a rewrite; I cannot find a copy of the original at this time.


By Wellborn Phillips


Freedom Tower, at the corner of Biscayne Boulevard and NE 10th Street, is one of Miami’s oldest and most easily-recognized buildings. It has an exceptional architecture.  It represents three separate—and dramatic-periods in Miami history.  And during one of these periods, events at the Tower earned for  the Tower—probably “forever”—a place in the hearts and minds of thousands of Americans who originally came from the Cuba Castro had seized.

The architecture, a Mediterranean Revival style,  has (or had)  a striking resemblance to the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables and to the old Roney Plaza Hotel on Miami Beach that was torn down years ago. That is because Schultz and Weaver, prominent architects of the area, designed all three buildings, borrowing  designs for all three from the Giralda Tower in Seville, Spain.

The cupola that capped the 255 foot tower contained a beacon light which was especially significant to the builder:  it would serve not only as a lighthouse beacon for sailors on Biscayne Bay, but also symbolize the enlightenment  that The Metropolis--later The Miami Daily News--would provide the community.

Freedom Tower was built in 1925 by James Cox, one-time presidential candidate from Ohio, to house The Metropolis, one of Miami’s early newspapers, which he also owned along with Radio Station WIOD   Sometime later, The Metropolis became The Miami Daily News and the Tower was renamed The Miami Daily News Tower.

In the meantime, Miami was growing from a sleepy Southern town into a major vacation destination and tourists were selecting post cards to mail home. Some featured bathing beauties on the beach, others, water sports or Spanish style buildings. One favorite 1940 postcard (see image at bottom of blog):  is a view from Bay Front Park with the Tower framed by tropical trees and flowering plants.


In 1957, The Miami Daily News shuttered the building when it moved in with The Miami Herald in The Herald’s new building at One Herald Plaza. And The Tower remained vacant for nearly a decade.

In the early l960’s Cuban dictator Fidel Castro came to power. And Cuban refugees began arriving in Miami by the thousands. The Federal Government leased The Tower, opened it once again. And many thousands of Cuban refugees were processed there, getting their social security cards, food stamps and medical supplies—so they could exist while making full arrangements for their new life.

 Today, many of them consider that it was there, at The Tower, that they started an important part of their new life in America. And they acquired emotional ties to the building they now call La Torre or Freedom Tower.

In l974, the refugee center closed.  Vandals and the homeless became the only tenants.  The building fell into disrepair.  Miamians still admired the spectacular architecture on the outside. And every realtor in town tried to resell the building despite its broken windows, graffiti and filth. Unfortunately, many of the best prospects for the building wanted to tear it down and build condominiums or modern office building.

In l983, to protect The Tower from demolition, the building was designated a historic landmark and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In l99l, The Tower was purchased by Jorge Mas Canossa, the founder and leader of the Cuban American National Foundation which made some renovations. There was a museum; library and meeting rooms and the Foundation had its offices there.

In the mean time, there were other sales and other uses suggested for the building.

In one of the Miami Vice episodes, the Tower was filmed with a sniper who was climbing the Tower and eventually tried to kill Crocket.

The last sale was to builder Pedro Martin and his Terra Group which had plans to build high rise condominiums  there. When public indignation forced Mr. Martin to shelve his plans, he donated the building in 2005 to Miami Dade College with its President Eduardo Padron who has, since then, completed some renovations—such as vaulted ceilings, Roman columns, and a 40 foot mural on the first floor. Sometime ago, the college celebrate in great style the start of renovation with a banquet with President Obama’s wife as honor guest.  Other renovations will surely follow before long. 


In the mean while, Freedom Tower remains a spectacular relic of important Miami history that badly needs to be preserved.           




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