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

The Coconut Grove Library

Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, July 6, 2014

1. The Coconut Grove Library Marker

Inscription. The land on which this library stands was given by Commodore Ralph Middleton Munroe, whose first wife lies buried on it.

The library was started by a writer, Kirk Munroe (no relation) and his wife, Mary Barr Munroe, as a reading group called the Pine Needles Club on June 15, 1895. It became the Exchange Library on March 27, 1897 and opened at this spot as the Coconut Grove Library on March 6, 1901.

In the early days books were taken by sailboat to Miami for distribution. In 1957 it became a branch of the Miami Public Libraryand the present building was opened on November 16, 1963.

Erected 1971 by Coconut Grove Library Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1924.

Location. 25° 43.607′ N, 80° 14.433′ W. Marker is in Miami, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. Marker is on McFarlane Road west of South Bayshore Drive, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in front of the library, but is shrouded by foliage and is hard to see. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2875 McFarlane Road, Miami FL 33133, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Coconut Grove Library (here, next to this marker); Housekeepers-Womans Club of Coconut Grove (within shouting distance of this marker); Housekeepers Club (within shouting distance of this marker); The Barnacle (approx. 0.2 miles away); Coconut Grove Playhouse (approx. ¼ mile away); E.W.F. Stirrup House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Charles Avenue (approx. 0.3 miles away); NAS Miami Pan Am Seaplane Base (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Miami.

Regarding The Coconut Grove Library. The Coconut Grove Library (1963) stands as testament to the tenacity and individuality of Coconut Grove’s pioneering citizens, who operated their first public library even prior to the city of Miami’s incorporation in 18961. The collection of books was housed in other locations (and was largely used by bibliophiles from an organization begun by Mrs. Kirk Monroe called “The Pine Needles Club”) before a building devoted to library use was constructed in 1901. The library was housed in a small building with funds raised by the Coconut Grove Library Association which operated the institution until 1957, when the City of Miami offered to build a new air-conditioned facility. Reluctantly the association’s trustees accepted. Pioneers

Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, July 6, 2014

2. The Coconut Grove Library Marker

Kirk Munroe and Commodore Ralph Monroe (of no relation) were instrumental in establishing and building that first library. Kirk and wife Mary founded the library on land donated by the Commodore. Commodore Monroe stipulated that the grave of his wife Mrs. Eva Monroe (who died in 1882) would be maintained on the site. - "The Coconut Grove Library Designation Report," City of Miami Historic and Environmental Preservation Board, July 7, 2009.

Additional commentary.
1. Grave of Eva Amelia Munroe, oldest marked grave in Miami-Dade County
Adjacent to the library is the grave of Eva Amelia Munroe; dated 1882, it is the oldest marked grave in Miami-Dade County.

— Submitted July 9, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida.

Interior of the Coconut Grove Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, July 6, 2014

3. Interior of the Coconut Grove Library

Front view of the Coconut Grove Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, July 6, 2014

4. Front view of the Coconut Grove Library

Coconut Grove Library, view from S. Bayside Drive image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, July 6, 2014

5. Coconut Grove Library, view from S. Bayside Drive

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. This page has been viewed 707 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 9, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.