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mh LEONA WHITMAN, REAL ESTATE TYCOON 12/08/1983
THE MIAMI HERALD
Copyright (c) 1983, The Miami Herald
DATE: Thursday, December 8, 1983 EDITION: FINAL
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: 6D LENGTH: 40 lines
ILLUSTRATION: photo: Leona E. Whitman
SOURCE/CREDIT LINE: HERALD STAFF
MEMO: DEATHS
LEONA WHITMAN, REAL ESTATE TYCOON
Leona E. Whitman, 97, a real estate tycoon who was credited with owning
more real estate in Miami Beach except Carl Fisher, died Tuesday at her Bal
Harbour home.
A native of Sweden, the family emigrated to the United States in 1888 and
settled in Chicago where she married William F. Whitman, a printer.
In 1916, they began spending their winters in Miami and four years later,
built their oceanfront home at 3201 Collins Ave.
Their home became the meeting place of northern industrial socialites
during the winter season, all of which was dutifully noted by newspapers.
In 1936, they opened The Whitman By-The-Sea shortly before her husband's
death.
Mrs. Whitman took over the management of her husband's business interests,
which included the Whitman Hotel, the Excelsior Printing Co. in Chicago, the
Indian Creek Apartments and extensive land holdings on Miami Beach's
oceanfront.
After World War II, Mrs. Whitman sold the hotel, the apartments and the
family homestead. She then invested in beach properties in Bal Harbour.
One of her sons, Stanley, persuaded her to invest in a shopping center
with auto manufacturer Robert Graham, who developed the Village of Bal
Harbour.
After Graham sold his interest to the Whitmans, Stanley built the Bal
Harbour Shops.
Mrs. Whitman spent her summers in Crystal Downs, Mich., and winters at her
home in Bal Harbour.
Other survivors include sons, Dudley A. , William F. ; nine grandchildren,
two great-grandchildren and a sister, Helen E. Palmer, the widow of Dr. Bascom
H. Palmer, founder of the famous eye institute.
A private memorial service will be held for the family.
KE