The trash was removed. In the meantime, I am checking with the NET office on procedure to correct the damaged sign. In closing my constructive suggestion is to place flowers around the historical marker. It will eliminate dumping and assist in making the area attractive. It would be great if a community volunteer purchased and planted flowers around the marker with other volunteers coordinating to water weekly...

I have only just learned that there is some progress on Charles Avenue on the Mariah Brown House: http://grandavenews.com/2010/05/06/mariah-brown-house-museum-to-open-in-december/

Wonderful, but what about The Broken Historical Marker and the E.W.F. Stirrup House??? These should be part of any plan instituted by the Coconut Grove Cemetery Association. I view the Mariah Brown House as only one piece of the puzzle.

With all my love,
Aunty Em

Aunty Em,

The E.W.F. Sitrrup House is private property. As for the Broken Historical Marker, the NET Office and I are working to resolve. your assistance might be necessary. Will keep you posted.

I will be happy to give any assistance that I am able to give. I have met with Stephen Murray on this issue and I think I made him a believer. He was unaware of the historical marker until I told him about it. Feel free to ask him about me. He, and you, have permission to use any of the photographs in my facebook portfolios doe whatever reasons you deem fit.

However, correct me if I'm wrong: While the E.W.F. Stirrup house is privately owned, the developers of the property immediately behind the house, which fronts on Main Highway, made a deal with the city in order to get the building permits needed for redevelopment. The deal was, as I understand it, that as part of the redevelopment of the Main property, they would fix up the E.W.F. Stirrup House for use as an Historical Center. In an "off the record" conversation with someone who works in that spiffy condo/restaurant complex, that was indeed the deal made, but the developer "ran out of money" before they got to the 'good for the community' part of the redevelopment. It should be noted that those who work in Security for the Main property are also tasked with keeping the E.W.F. Stirrup House property secure. [I learned this when I went onto the property once when the gate was left open by a landscaping crew cutting the grass. Within minutes Security from the condo complex was there chasing me away.] This only adds to my belief that the developer skipped out on these old promises to the city, and the neighbourhood.

Let me be clear about something: I really have no dog in this hunt. I am not Black. I do not live in Miami. I just happened across the marker one day and, race relations being a personal area of study, was amazed at what I learned from the Historical Marker as a history I was unaware of. Yet, at the same time saddened by the garbage at the base of the marker. I could not help but think, "Same as it ever was."

Since then I have been researching the area (both for personal interest and for a novel I am writing, in which I have decided to place a character in Coconut Grove in the '60s), which is how I have come to learn about Charles Avenue and E.W.F. Stirrup, who should have his own Historical Marker, IMHO.

I don't see American history as Black and/or White. It is a shared history, so intertwined that it would do us all well to never forget, or allow others forget, who really did all the back-breaking labour (Black-breaking labour?) to make America what it is today.

Sorry for running off at the keyboard, but when I care about something I tend to care very deeply.

With all my love,
Aunty Em

Aunty Em,

In all fairness, a HOATA constitute brought the trash and sign issue to bear at a HOATA meeting one evening. Immediately, the NET Office was contacted and responded to the request for trash pick up. Since the initial request, the area has remained clear and clean. After the pick up, it became apparent the post was damaged. We have pictures reflecting so and are working on the sign post damage. In closing this issue, it was suggested the community volunteer to plant flowers around the pole and dumping area, surely no government agency would complain about a neighborhood taking the initiative to beautify its area.

Regarding the E.W.F. Stirrup, by all means, you and Stephen Murray should follow up. Keep me posted on your progress.

Thank you caring.