Coconut Grove in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Housekeepers-Womans Club of Coconut Grove

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, January 24, 2018

1. Housekeepers-Womans Club of Coconut Grove Marker Side 1

Inscription. (Side 1)
Organized as the Housekeepers Club of Coconut Grove when it was founded in 1891, the Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove is the oldest federated woman’s club in South Florida. Together with other pioneer women, local school teacher Flora McFarlane organized the club. The first meeting was held in a school house owned by Isabella “Aunt Bella” Peacock. The club worked to further the educational, social, and cultural development of the area’s residents and raised money for the construction of a new school house. The Pine Needles Club formed as an offshoot of the woman’s club became the foundation for the Coconut Grove Library. Around 1909, the club investigated ways to protect the Everglades from development. Mary Barr Munroe spearheaded an effort with the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs to purchase land in the Everglades for conservation. The women’s efforts culminated in 1916 with the designation of Royal Palm State Park by the Florida legislature. As Florida’s first state park, it became the nucleus of what is now the Everglades National Park. Still active today, the club remains one of the most important civic

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organizations in the history of Coconut Grove and South Florida. (Continued on other side) (Side 2) (Continued from other side) The first clubhouse was erected on land donated by Ralph Munroe in 1917. Local architect, Walter de Garmo, was hired to design this new clubhouse, which was built in 1921. De Garmo also designed the first Miami City Hall, Coral Gables Bank, and McAllister Hotel. The building was well-adapted to the South Florida environment with a wide wraparound porch, spacious arched openings (now enclosed), and high ceilings all intended to help circulate the cool breeze. Considered a focal point for the building, the porch was made from native oolithic limestone (coral rock), common in other Coconut Grove buildings. Located next to the library and across from the Peacock Inn (now Peacock Park), the clubhouse was at the heart of Coconut Grove’s social life. This building remains significant because of its association with Coconut Grove’s early development and for its role as a social and cultural center of the community.

Erected 2016 by Coconut Grove Civic Club and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number

Housekeepers-Womans Club of Coconut Grove Marker Side 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, January 24, 2018

2. Housekeepers-Womans Club of Coconut Grove Marker Side 2

F-888.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 25° 43.601′ N, 80° 14.392′ W. Marker is in Coconut Grove, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. It is at the intersection of South Bayshore Drive and McFarlane Road, on the right when traveling south on South Bayshore Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2985 South Bayshore Drive, Miami FL 33133, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Florida,

on the Gold Coast,

and in Greater Miami.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

Housekeepers-Womans Club of Coconut Grove Marker looking south on S. Bayshore Dr. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, January 24, 2018

3. Housekeepers-Womans Club of Coconut Grove Marker looking south on S. Bayshore Dr.

marker: Housekeepers Club (here, next to this marker); Coconut Grove Library (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Coconut Grove Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Grave of Eva Munroe (within shouting distance of this marker); The Coconut Grove Sailing Club (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Charles and Isabella Peacock Park (about 400 feet away); The Barnacle (approx. 0.2 miles away); Coconut Grove (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coconut Grove.

Housekeepers-Womans Club of Coconut Grove Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, January 24, 2018

4. Housekeepers-Womans Club of Coconut Grove Marker

Housekeepers-Womans Club of Coconut Grove image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, January 24, 2018

5. Housekeepers-Womans Club of Coconut Grove

Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 613 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 31, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.