Flagler Monument Island
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The Flagler Memorial Island is an artificial island that was built in 1920[1] along with the other Venetian Islands of Miami and Miami Beach, Florida, complete with a monument visible from the Flamingo Hotel in Miami Beach. A 110 foot high obelisk with allegorical sculptures at its base stands as a monument to Miami pioneer Henry M. Flagler, and was constructed in the center of the freshly constructed island in memory of Flagler, who died in 1913.
Unlike the other Venetian Islands, the perfectly rounded shape of the memorial island was not protected by a sea wall. The powerful tidal flow from Government Cut, as well as hurricanes and other forces, have drastically altered its original shape. Exotic species such as Burma reed (Neyraudia reynaudiana), seaside-mahoe (Thespesia populnea) and beach naupaka (Scaevola taccada)[2] have covered much of the island. In 1994 the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund and the Florida Inland Navigation District used a $220,000 bond[2] to build a clearing in the center of the island near the monument, where visitors play volleyball and light bonfires. The project also stabilized the shoreline with the installation of lime rock boulders, and created sand beaches and dunes for boaters to enjoy. Hurricane Wilma eroded away much of the beaches in the summer of 2005, leaving many of the picnic tables partially submerged.
Miami-Dade County maintains the island, including modest picnic facilities and trash cans, and is considering issuing a $250,000 bond to correct the monument's serious disrepair due to its exposure to harsh marine elements, vandalism and years of deferred maintenance.[1]
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[edit] History
Miami Beach co-founder Carl G. Fisher commissioned the construction of the obelisk monument and the four allegorical statues at the base in 1920 at a cost of $125,000. His Alton Beach Realty Company deeded the land to the City of Miami Beach in 1939.[3]
[edit] Sculptures
Designed by sculptor H.P. Peterson and financed by Fisher with the help of John B. Orr,and James A. Allison,[3] the statues sit oriented in the four cardinal directions, each representing a signature aspect of Miami Beach.[4]
[edit] Industry
Representing industry, a man in a Roman toga stands facing due north, holding a scroll and a small building. The statue suffers from considerable erosion damage to its face, scroll, and left foot.[5]
[edit] Education
A female figure faces due east, wearing a dress and a cape. She holds a pile of books and reaches out with her left hand in a welcoming gesture. Cracks have exposed metal rebar in her hand and a crack in her cape may soon lead to further extensive damage.[5]
[edit] Pioneer
A statue of a sailor faces due south, shielding his eyes from the sun. He holds a shovel and sits on a plant. He is extensively damaged and may present a safety hazard.[5]
[edit] Prosperity
A female figure in a long dress with a tiara represents prosperity. She holds a cornucopia and a purse clutched to her chest with her left hand and her heavily damaged right hand reaches to the west.[5]
[edit] Damage and maintenance
The island and the monument were both donated to the City of Miami Beach in 1939.[6] In the years since the city, county and the private sector have all contributed to maintenance. In 1998 a careless picnicker set the island on fire, destroying $250,000 worth of trees and landscaping from a 1994 restoration project.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Miami-Dade Portal:
- ^ a b Island Restoration and Enhancement in Biscayne Bay, Florida
- ^ a b Ruby Leach Carson 40 Years of Miami Beach pg. 18, 1955
- ^ The City of Miami Beach. Art In Public Places. The City of Miami Beach. Retrieved on 2006-06-13.
- ^ a b c d The City of Miami Beach. Flagler Monument History. The City of Miami Beach. Retrieved on 2006-06-13.
- ^ Lissette Corsa. Statuetory Rape. Miami New Times. Retrieved on 2006-06-13.
