Coral Gables Merrick House and Gardens

Real estate developer George Edgar Merrick (1886~1942) is perhaps best known as the planner and builder of Coral Gables, Florida. In the 1920s, he conceived of one of the first planned communities in the United States. While Merrick was growing up, he lived with his parents, Solomon and Althea Merrick, in a typical coral-rock house that was originally built toward the end of the 19th century. A subsequent addition was completed in 1907.

The City of Coral Gables purchased Merrick's boyhood home in 1976, with the intention of restoring it to its 1920s appearance. Today, the Coral Gables Merrick House and Gardens, with its breezy veranda and spacious grounds, is a Greater Miami landmark, complete with the family's furnishings, artwork, and personal items on display.

Guided tours of the Coral Gables Merrick House are organized by the local government. Visitors are invited to view a 10-minute educational video before taking a 45-minute walk through the building and its grounds. During the tour, guides are happy to take questions and provide answers regarding the house or Merrick's role in local history.

Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Merrick House is located at 907 Coral Way, Coral Gables, Florida 33134. The tours are conducted several times a month, usually on Wednesdays and Sundays. The cost is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors, $1 for children aged 6 to 12, and free for those aged 5 years and under.