South Miami in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Doc Thomas House
Home of Tropical Audubon Society
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, January 24, 2018
1. Doc Thomas House-Home of Tropical Audubon Society Marker
Arden Hayes "Doc" Thomas, a South Miami-area pioneer, pharmacist and owner of the O.K. Drug & Feed Store, commissioned architect Robert Fitch Smith in 1931 to design this distinctive High Pines home. Completed in 1932, the Rustic style structure is a sophisticated version of a Florida frame vernacular cottage. Characterized by native woods and oolitic limestone, the house also features built-in components and ornamental woodwork. As a lifelong conservationist, Thomas gifted his property to Tropical Audubon Society (TAS) to ensure its preservation and use to benefit both TAS and the general public. Established as a National Audubon Society chapter in 1947, TAS traces its origins to the 1915 Coconut Grove Audubon Society, the first in Dade County. Like all Audubon chapters, TAS is a conservation organization named for John James Audubon, the 19th-century ornithologist, wildlife artist and naturalist. After Thomas's death on December 31, 1975, TAS received his property. Since 1976, the house has functioned as Tropical Audubon Society headquarters, while the surrounding acreage now serves as the Steinberg Nature Center. The Doc Thomas House was
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Erected 2016 by Tropical Audubon Society, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-899.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1931.
Location. 25° 42.264′ N, 80° 17.053′ W. Marker is in South Miami, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. Marker is at the intersection of Sunset Drive (Southwest 72nd Street) and Southwest 56th Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Sunset Drive (Southwest 72nd Street). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5530 Sunset Drive, Miami FL 33143, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. GFWC Coco Plum Woman's Club (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pinewood (Cocoplum) Cemetery (approx. one mile away); Coral Gables Waterway (approx. 1˝ miles away); State of Florida Historic Roadway (approx. 1˝ miles away); Dr. Eleanor Galt Simmons-Office and Stable (approx. 2.2 miles away); Ruth Bryan Owen Waterway Park (approx. 2.2 miles away); St. Mary First Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 2.4 miles away); Historical Entrance Building (approx. 2.4 miles away).
Also see . . . Tropical Audubon Society.
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, January 24, 2018
2. Doc Thomas House-Home of Tropical Audubon Society and Marker
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, January 24, 2018
3. Doc Thomas House-Home of Tropical Audubon Society
Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 189 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 6, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
