To mark Coral Gables’ 100th anniversary, Miami Today readers are invited on a journey through time – back to the early days of a city built on vision, elegance, and a strong sense of community. With rarely seen footage from the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archives at Miami Dade College, readers can rediscover the big moments – and the everyday ones – that helped shape the City Beautiful.
The Wolfson Archives were created to preserve and share Florida’s visual history, and their collection is a treasure trove of film and video – from home movies and travelogues to vintage newscasts – that capture the culture and character of our region. Readers can explore much of it online at mdc.edu/archives/wolfson-archives.
On this page, you’ll find a rare look at Coral Gables in its early years – glimpses of founder George Merrick’s vision, a festive celebration of the city’s 40th birthday, spooky stories from the Biltmore Hotel, and colorful scenes from the third Junior Orange Bowl Parade, just after WWII. Together, these videos tell the story of a city where history isn’t just preserved – it’s still being lived.
VIDEO 1: George Merrick’s Bold Vision
Take a look back at the bold sales tactics and ambitious ideas that helped George Merrick transform Coral Gables into one of Florida’s most iconic planned communities. From Mediterranean architecture to lush plazas, this rare footage captures the early days of a visionary city in the making.
VIDEO 2: Ghosts of the Biltmore
The Biltmore Hotel is famous for its grandeur but also for the ghosts said to haunt its halls. This decades-old report dives into chilling tales of paranormal activity, mysterious footsteps, and lingering spirits that still stir curiosity today.
VIDEO 3: The Junior Orange Bowl Parade, 1951
Nearly 100,000 people lined Miracle Mile for the third Junior Orange Bowl Parade in the early 1950s – and this black-and-white footage brings the joy and excitement to life. Watch families gather for floats, music, and the community spirit that still defines Coral Gables today.
VIDEO 4: Miracle Mile’s Back-to-School Buzz
In the 1950s and ’60s, Miracle Mile was the go-to spot for back-to-school shopping in Coral Gables. From uniforms to textbooks – and plenty of parking – this was where families came to get ready for the new school year.
The post From Ghosts to Parades: Rare Footage Brings the City Beautiful’s History to Life appeared first on Miami Today.