A new historic marker at the corner of Grand Avenue and U.S. 1 recognizes the Black families who settled two pockets of segregated land next to Coconut Grove for their contributions to the area’s early history.
Editor’s Note: This story was originally published by WLRN Public Media on March 25. The Spotlight is re-publishing this story under a partnership agreement with WLRN.
Over 100 years ago, the Macfarlane Homestead and Golden Gate subdivisions were bustling areas where many Bahamians and Black southerners — drawn by the prospects of new beginnings — were creating homes and livelihoods in the midst of the Great Florida Land Boom.
Now, as the City of Coral Gables — where the subdivisions are located — is celebrating its centennial, the predominantly Black neighborhood bordering Coconut Grove is being marked for its historic contributions to the area.
Last week, a small ceremony to unveil the new historic marker drew a crowd to the corner of U.S. 1 and Grand Avenue to celebrate the recognition.
“This moment is really historic for our family,” said Leigh Cooper-Willis, a Golden Gate resident. “Just to preserve our history and let everyone know the great work that was put into our neighborhood.”
Many of today’s residents of the subdivisions are descendants of the neighborhood’s pioneering families who helped build not just their own tight-knit community, but also several of Coral Gables and the rest of Miami’s enduring feats of construction.
Cooper-Willis, for example, is a fourth-generation Bahamian descendant, now living with her son in the same house her grandfather was born in.
“During segregation, these neighborhoods were home to many of Coral Gables’ African American residents,” the new plaque reads.
“Some Black pioneers worked nearby in Coconut Grove, Miami and Coral Gables. Others worked for notable local establishments, including the Peacock Inn, Deering Estate, and (Florida East Coast) Railway.”
The MacFarlane Homestead is named for Flora MacFarlane, a schoolteacher whose estate sold 19.61 acres of land to Coral Gables Securities Corporation after her death.
The area, bounded by Oak Avenue on the north, Grand Avenue on the south, Brooker Street on the east and U.S. 1 on the west, became part of Coral Gables in 1925.
The Golden Gate subdivision, to the south of Grand Avenue between Lincoln Drive and Le Jeune Road, was annexed by Coral Gables in 1926.
City officials during the ceremony called the marker long overdue.
“I think it’s important that we take a moment to celebrate the roots of the ‘City Beautiful’,” said Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago.
The plaque, which was designated by the Florida Department of State’s Bureau of Historic Preservation, comes more than 30 years after the Macfarlane Homestead subdivision was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The area has been recognized through the efforts of the Lola B. Walker Homeowners Association, a group of residents who’ve advocated for the community as it has faced changes and new development pressure.
“We have this acknowledgement and everyone remembers that these are the first neighborhoods of Coral Gables,” said Lola B. Walker Homeowners Association president Carl Leon Prime, a third-generation Macfarlane resident. “And it is what makes it such a dynamic city.”
