Absence of Place
AN INTERACTIVE HISTORY
"The more things change, the fonder our memories become."
VIEWS FROM READERS:
A collaboration of artist Xavier Cortada and the readers of the Miami Herald
- TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Chapter One: The Blueprints
- Ana Menendez's column that fueled interest
- December 7, 2005
- Chapter Two: The Foundation
- Xavier Cortada invites the public to participate
- January 15, 2006
- Chapter Three: The Details
- Local professor speaks of vanishing history
- June 4, 2006
- Chapter Four: The Opening Ceremony
- The Miami Herald hosts showcase of collaborated photos and memories
- June 5, 2006
- Appendix: Extra Multimedia
THE COLISEUMMy mother would drop me off at the Coliseum on a Saturday morning where I could enjoy a day of bowling and hanging out with friends. It was a sad day when I learned that this historic building, built by George Merrick in 1927, was torn down with [the city commission's blessings], to be replaced by the ill-fated Service Merchandise.
4th STREET APARTMENTAfter college, I rented an apartment on the second floor of a small building between Las Olas Blvd. and the New River. There were two identical buildings with 4 apartments each and wood floors and tall double hung wood windows. In 1985 I hosted a high school reunion party there. One winter a homeless person settled on the landing of the main staircase outside our front door.
THE BUTTON AND HOLIDAY INNEach spring break between 1976 and 1979 I would meet my college friends at The Button, in the Holiday Inn Hotel. It was the meeting place and center of activity because everyone seemed to know where it was without having to give directions.
GOVERNOR'S CLUBIn 1974 my junior year high school homecoming was held in a ballroom at the Governors Club Hotel. It was the first time I ever wore a tuxedo. I asked Emanuela to go with me. She brought a chaperone.
ROYAL CASTLEOnce when my grandmother visited us from South America she took me to the Royal Castle on the corner of Andrews and Las Olas downtown. We sat at the counter on swivel stools. English was not her first language, and when she ordered for me she asked for a "hamburger-for-to-go.".
PIZZA SHACKSome Sundays we would go with my dad to the Pizza Shack and pick up a large cheese pizza to take home in time for Lassie to come on the TV. Next to the Pizza Shack was the Post Office where I would go with my mom to send air mail letters to my grandparents.
LAKE JOANNELake Joanne was our secret lake that we would drive through thick brush to reach.
CASTRO IN THE '50sFor years my Dad would point to this house and said Fidel Castro once slept there in the '50s. 22nd Ave. and NW 7th Street.
ST. CLAIRE'S CAFETERIAWe celebrated my 12th birthday at St. Claire's cafeteria. It had a brick screen wall that faced Broward Blvd. We could eat all the mashed potatoes we wanted. On my birthday my younger brother and I had a contest to see how many rolls we could fit into our mouths.
CYPRESS ROAD FORESTIn these woods grade school boys from our neighborhood built forts. We raided the fort built by the kids from north Plantation and took their magazines and candy. Later on they found our tree fort and dismantled it after taking back the booty.
CAMPING GROUNDIn 1969 my Boy Scout troop hiked 1 mile past the end of Broward Blvd. and set up camp there. There was a clearing in the forest where we could set up our tents. In the woods I saw a wild deer for the first time.
BRIDGE OVER CANALIn the 1960s my brother and I would fish from this bridge over the canal. We once caught a small bass and threw it back. The water was clear alnd we could see the bottom of the canal and the fish as it swam away.