MPNOD- Miami Pioneers and NAtives of Dade historical society
Hello MPNOD member,
Here is a fresh update from the Miami Pioneers and Natives of Dade Historical Society
website: mpnod.org • Facebook: facebook.com/MPNOD/
Eliot Kleinberg

Sunday, February 3 at 2pm

at the Coral Gables Museum

Our Guest Speaker is Eliot Kleinberg.

Florida's Amazing History and Why You Should Care: A whirlwind tour of 500 years of Florida history, capped with a strong argument that Florida's biggest challenge is encouraging its transplants to become Floridians.
Eliot Kleinberg is that rarest of Floridians: a native.

Born in South Florida, has spent nearly four decades as a reporter, including more than 30 years at The Palm Beach Post in West Palm Beach. In addition to covering local news, he also writes extensively about Florida and Florida history.

"Post Time" is his weekly local history column that has run in the Post for two decades. And in early 2019, he launched "Florida Time," a Florida history column which appears in Gatehouse newspapers statewide.

He has written 10 books, all focusing on Florida. They include "Black Cloud," on the great 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane, and two "Weird Florida" books. His latest, Peace River, is a historical novel based at the end of the Civil War.

The son of longtime prominent South Florida journalist Howard Kleinberg, he graduated from Miami-area public schools and the University of Florida. He is a member of the Florida, South Florida and Palm Beach County historical societies. He and his wife are the parents of two adult sons and live in suburban Boca Raton.

Read more about Eliot Kleinberg.

Eliot Kleinberg books on Amazon.

February Birthdays

1 Nancy Bahn
3 Richard Fandrey
5 George Grunwell
8 Bernice Lawton
9 Daniel Berger
9 Dr. William Culbertson IV
10 Ava Gunderson
11 William Fisher III
12 Leonard Hoffman
12 Alberta Pallot
12 Juan Riera
13 Robert Hilliard
20 Audrey Ross
21 John Reed
23 Henry Langston
24 Ann Slosser
26 Jean Boccard
27 Larry Wiggins
Birthday Cake

Monthly Meetings at Museum

The Miami Pioneers and Natives of Dade invite all with an interest in local history to join us at the Coral Gables Museum community room on the first Sunday of each month (except July and August) from 2 to 4pm.

Newsletter Subscription

There is no charge for the email version of the newsletter. If you wish to have your newsletter printed and send via the post office, the fee is $10 per year, sent to Treasurer Marlene B. Carlin, at 14900 SW 71 Ave, Miami, FL 33158. Thank you!

John W. G. Seybold - Miami Pioneer

John W. G. Seybold was one of the fourteen original founding members of the Miami Pioneers historical society back in 1936.
John W. G. Seybold was one of the fourteen original founding members of our Miami Pioneers historical society back in 1936.

He was born in September, 1872 in Stuttgart, Germany. He died in Miami Dade County in 1940.

John Seybold immigrated to the US in 1889. Prior to settling in the Miami area, Seybold traveled to Jacksonville, Palatka, and eventually, Palm beach, where he owned and operated a bakery.

John and family relocated to Miami to expand their fortune.

It wasn't until 1913 that the downtown building on East Flagler was named after the original owner, John Seybold. Originally this building was only three stories. The main floor housed The Seybold Baking Company -- with John as Vice President -- a popular bakery and ice cream parlor frequented by Miami residents and visitors.

Years later, Seybold added additional stories to the building and it became known as the Seybold Arcade. With ten floors, it was one of Miami's most prestigious business addresses. Having these additional floors attracted many local business owners to this landmark edifice and the Seybold building quickly became a premier shopping destination.

The first jeweler moved in the building in 1960 -- Buchwald Jewelers from Atlantic city. A number of New York jewelers followed suit. At the same time, more than a few Cuban jewelers fled their island during the exodus of the 1960s and set up shop in the Seybold building. By the 1970s, the building become almost exclusively a location for the jewelry trade.

Seybold had additional interests in the city. He was involved in real estate and became a successful developer.

In 1919 Seybold developed the now historic sub-division named Spring Garden on the Miami River -- now the oldest, intact, single family neighborhood still remaining along the Miami River.

He purposely insisted that the leafy foliage be preserved to allow for cool shade for the homes in this unique enclave. Today, giant banyan and oak trees provide copious shade for the grand old single-family homes built in Florida vernacular and Victorian styles.

Sprig Garden is significant architecturally for its wealth of early Frame and Masonry Vernacular, Mission, Bungalow, and Moderne style houses that reflect the diversity and evolution of architectural design in South Florida during the early twentieth century.

The Wagner Creek on the north fork of the Miami River was widened and renamed Seybold Canal. A silent motion picture "The Jungle Trail" was filmed in this neighborhood in 1919.

Seybold was so impressed with the construction of The Hindu Temple prop used in the movie production, that he had a duplicate home built to reflect this ornate style. The home still stands today.

Seybold was also one of the founders of the Masonic Scottish Rite Temple as well.

John Seybold had three wives. His first wife is buried in Jacksonville. Later, his daughter, Olive Gertrude Seybold Moore Sault chose to be buried next to her mother. John's second and third wives are buried in Miami, along with his two sons -- both named John.

John Seybold leaves a legacy of commercial success and community service during the developing years of Miami. His contributions to the growth of Miami during the formative pioneer and boom time years are notable.
Bring a Friend
As always, let's share the love of local history with family and friends. Bring a friend, a neighbor or a family member to the next meeting.
suggestions
Your officers and board of directors are always eager to hear your suggestions, comments and feedback on matters of importance to you.

Email: suggestions@mpnod.org
Volunteer - Miami Pioneers and Natives of Dade
Every member is encouraged to contribute to the historical society by serving on the board of directors, helping with refreshments, the telephone and mail committees, programs and more. Let us know how you can help.
TelephoneCommittee256
Corresponding Secretary Mary Pyle leads the telephone committee, along with Pat Ware and Janet English. Please share your thoughts and feedback with them when they call. If you have any questions about the telephone committee, contact Mary at 305-264-2033 or email: mary.pyle@att.net
Refreshments
After our meetings, our group traditionally enjoys refreshments and social time. If you’re able to contribute to this effort, please bring some small snacks, fresh fruit, cookies, brownies, chips and dip, or a similar item that you’d like to share with your friends.
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Miami Pioneers and
Natives of Dade Historical Society
PO Box 144353
Coral Gables, FL 33114-4353
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