Brickell in Miami in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Chateau Petit Douy
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 19, 2024
1. Chateau Petit Douy Marker
When Miami lawyers John and Ethel Murrell took a vacation to France in 1930, they visited Saint-Julien, a 14th century priory in Douy. Enamored with its architecture, the couple hired prominent Miami architect Martin L. Hampton to design a similarly styled home as their residence. Completed in 1931, the house was a unique example of Period Revival style architecture and is Miami’s only known French chateau. The Murrells were both passionate about Miami and Florida. John served as an attorney for real estate developer George Merrick and other prominent families. Ethel was regarded as one of Miami’s leading feminists. She drafted Florida’s Married Women's Act, part of a ten-year campaign that ended in success when the bill was passed in 1943. That same year, Ethel became president of Florida’s first Soroptimist club, which provided aid to poor elderly persons. She gained national recognition as Florida’s representative to the National Association of Women Lawyers and as an advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment. In 1948, Ethel became the chair of the National Woman’s Party. The Murrells lived out the remainder of their lives in their chateau, Petit Douy, John passing in 1982 and Ethel in 1986.
A Florida Heritage Site
Erected 2019 by Chateau Miami and the Florida Department of State.
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
Location. 25° 45.482′ N, 80° 11.599′ W. Marker is in Miami, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. It is in Brickell. It is at the intersection of Southeast 15th Road and Brickell Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Southeast 15th Road. Limited parking in the area. The Chateau is now a restaurant without a parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1500 Brickell Avenue, Miami FL 33129, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Florida and on the Gold Coast. It is also in the American South. 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 marker: Professor Charles Torrey Simpson/Professor Charles Torrey Simpson Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Office of Dr. James Jackson, Miami's First Physician (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mary Brickell Park (approx. ¾ mile away); The People of Brickell Point (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Miami Circle at Brickell Point (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Miami Circle (approx. 0.8 miles away); Saving the Circle (approx. 0.9 miles away); Julia Tuttle - The Mother of Miami (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Miami.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Brickell Park (was approx. ¾ mile away but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 19, 2024
2. Chateau Petit Douy Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2024, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 335 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 22, 2024, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
