Historical Schools of Miami-Dade County: Past and Present

8/8/24

From the early one-room schoolhouses to today’s modern multi-story school campuses, the growth of Miami-Dade County’s education system highlights the importance of literacy and learning in fostering the growth and success of students and helping our community thrive.

One of the first schools established in the County was the Guavonia School, a quaint one-room cabin built by Solomon Merrick, father of City of Coral Gables founder George Merrick, located on the lot adjoining his family residence. Founded in 1902, the Merrick family called the land and school Guavonia because of the many growing wild guava trees in the area. The school began with an enrollment of 10 students, the required number to establish a school at that time. Merrick’s children – George, Charles, Ethel, Medie and Helen – attended the school. His wife, Althea Fink, was responsible for gathering children from distant farm families to also attend the school, including the children of Walter Ludlam, after whom present-day Ludlam Road is named. The students of Guavonia School stayed with the Merrick family during the week, and the school’s first teacher, Miss Winifred Cobb, appointed by the Governor, also lived with the Merrick family.

In the following decades, the small rough-hewn schoolhouses built by families evolved into substantial, elegantly designed masonry structures crafted by renowned architects. This transformation reflected the community’s dedication to providing a growing education system for its children.

Established in 1914 outside the Little Havana neighborhood, Riverside Elementary School became Florida’s largest elementary school by 1927. The original Riverside building was the oldest operating school in Miami-Dade County (formerly Dade County) and was demolished in 1976 due to deterioration. In 1987, architecture firm Bermello & Associates was commissioned to design a new Riverside school, which eventually opened in 1990. The revival of one of the County’s oldest schools preserved an immense legacy for the community linking its rich history with future generations.

Several schools in Miami-Dade County have continued preserving their original structures as a way to honor historical landmarks. Silver Bluff Elementary School, located just north of Coconut Grove and built in 1926, maintains its classic architecture while continuing to provide education to new families.

Coral Gables Elementary School, established in 1925, is another example of a historic school that retains its original charm, showcasing the traditional design elements that characterize its early 20th-century construction.

Miami Senior High School, founded in 1903 in Little Havana, stands as one of the oldest high schools in the County, preserving its historic façade of arched walkways, detailed columns and bountiful windows.

These historic schools not only provide valuable educational services but also serve as living pieces of Miami-Dade County's history, connecting the past with the present and future. To view more historical images of Miami-Dade County schools, please explore this selection from the Gleason Waite Romer Collection of Photographs in the Library’s Digital Collections.