1674-18 Lummus John Newton ale -Miami 'Hera)
)
A Knight-Ridder Newspaper
David Lawrence Jr.
Publisher and Chairman
(305)376-3525
Fax: (305)376-8950
March 20, 1992
Jerry Wilkinson
President
Historical Preservation Society
of the Upper Keys
Box 2200
Key Largo, FL 33037
Dear Mr. Wilkinson:
It's good to hear from you again.
I'm going to share your letter and attachment with
Executive Editor Doug Clifton, who's in charge of
the news and feature content of your Herald, as well
as Howard Kleinberg, who .writ- a weekly local his-
tory local column for Hera : readers.
I wish you well.
S ,, erely,
i ""C_
// Dave Lawrence
cc: Doug Clifton, Howard Kleinberg
One Herald Plaza, Miami, Florida 33132-1693(305)350-2111
�?�I,c1ctLCQ� _Aretrervaficin �GCIefL�
el the &tw er e�.f
BOX 2200 • KEY LARGO, FLORIDA 33037 •
March 19, 1992 :1 I
• •
David Lawrence, Jr.
The Miami Herald
One Herald Plaza
Miami , Florida 33132-1693
Dear Mr . Lawrence:
You may recall my previous expressions of the lack of Upper
Keys coverage in the Keys Edition of the Miami Herald.
I am enclosing an article that even relates the Miami , Miami
Beach and Key Largo together and in a very positive aspect.
I believe that you will conclude that it is relationship that
all can be proud. You may use it as is or may assign it to
a more professional journalist.
In the near future when we are better prepared to react, we
will be asking for some kind of message that will place us in
contact with early Upper Keys settlers that have resettled in
the mainland area for various reasons . We need first hand
contact with people who can fill in the 1920 - 1940 period of
our oral history program.
Sin erely,
14-11
er y Wilkinson
r ident
D�—8;572—16:1-o
•
A BIT OF KEYS HISTORY
Lummus Field
By; Jerry Wilkinson
Historical Preservation Society of the Upper Keys
It will take some journalistic license to include Miami Beach as the
Upper Keys, but the final goal is Harry Harris Park in Tavernier.
Last year Tavernier locals Cliff Carpenter and Eldon Chasteen suggested
that we historians honor the legacy that Judge Thomas (Tom) Lummus left to
Monroe County citizens. He always preferred to be known as Tom. Inquiry
into this legacy revealed that Tom Lummus had donated the original 2.2
oceanfront acres that was the beginning of Harry Harris Park. Later Monroe
County acquired additional land to expand the park where eventually two
softball fields were added.
Thomas James Lummus was the son of John Newton Lummus of Bronson,
Florida. His grandfather, Ezekiel S. Lummus was a conductor for the Plant
R.R. System (Atlantic Coast Line) while his father John N. was the chief
train dispatcher in the 1890's. John N. Lummus and his brother James E.
Lummus moved to Miami to fill a large commissary contract for Henry Flagler
who was building his railroad to Key West. In 1909 they became interested
in the abstract business which led to their interest in Miami Beach property.
In 1912 the Lummus brothers bought 605 acres of "swamp land" from south
of today's Lincoln Road south which later became the City of Miami Beach.
In 1913, in consideration for a loan, they gave Carl Fisher 105 acres from
Lincoln Road to 15th Street South and both started development. John Collins
joined them and built the longest wooden bridge in the world at that time
from 15th Street, Miami to Dade Blvd., Miami Beach.
The Lummus' gave 33 lots on Collins Avenue in 1914 to anyone who would
C' )
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build a house to their requirements. In 1915 the "Town of Miami Beach" was
incorporated which included all the land from government cut to 42nd Street.
All but three voters lived on the Lummus development and John N. Lummus was
the town's first mayor.
The Lummus Park on Miami Beach is named after Tom's dad J.N. Lummus
and the Lummus Park in Miami is named after Tom's uncle J.E. Lummus.
John N. Lummus, his son Tom and their old dog "Black Joe" hunted raccoons
on the South Miami Beach property where as a boy Tom lived in their Flagler
Street house.
Thomas J. Lummus grew up in Miami Beach and attended the University of
Georgia. Upon graduation, he returned to Miami and opened a probate and
real estate law practice in the Olympia Building in Miami. Later, Governor
Fuller Warren appointed Tom as a Judge for the City of Bal Harbor Village
where he served for many years. During his life Judge Lummus was a leader
in youth organizations and was awarded the "Silver Beaver" award for
outstanding service to the South Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America
In the 1940's, Tom Lummus developed a fondness for the north Planter
(Tavernier) area and bought considerable "swamp land" there. In 1957 he
platted and developed the Ocean Park Village subdivision anu built himself
a house at 30 East Beach Road. When making the plat, he donated 2.2 acres
of ocean front land for a Monroe County park. In the deed he stipulated
that the park be named after then County Commissioner Harry Harris. Thomas
Lummus an attorney, scout leader and Judge passed away at the age of 80 on
October 21 , 1985.
It has not been verified at this time that there is also a restriction
that Monroe County residents cannot be charged an entry fee to the park,
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nor any commercialization of the park which were standard restrictions of
his father's. A copy of the deed could not be located in the Plantation
Government Center.
Working with local CRA Tom Timmerman and Monroe County Parks and
Recreation Board member Charles Schafstall, the Historical Preservation
Society of the Upper Keys nominated the previously unnamed softball fields
be named "Lummus Field" in tribute to his benevolent donation. The ball
fields are located on state procured land and in no way will detract from
the honor already given to Harry Harris.
On Tuesday, March 10, 1992, the Board of County Commissioners voted
unanimously to name the ball fields as "Lummus Field". Thanks to the
suggestion of Cliff Carpenter and Eldon Chastecn, we are all able to honor
the legacy that Judge Thomas James Lummus left the citizens of Monroe County.
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