Coral Gables Police and Fire Station, local history museum in Coral Gables, Florida
The Coral Gables Police and Fire Station is a government building from 1939 built in Mediterranean Revival style to house emergency services and now serves as a museum. The structure was constructed with oolitic stone, red tile roofs, arches, and stucco walls reflecting the architectural planning that shaped Coral Gables as a Mediterranean-inspired town.
The building was constructed in 1939 under the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression to create jobs and improve public services. It functioned as the main police and fire headquarters until the mid-1970s, after which a preservation movement in the 1990s led to its transformation into a museum that opened in 2011.
The station reflects the community it once served and now functions as a center for understanding Coral Gables' planned development and early vision. Visitors can see sculptures of firefighters and pelicans in Depression Moderne style that honor the work of local emergency responders and give character to the building's entrance and facade.
The museum is located at an easily accessible spot in Coral Gables where you can also explore other nearby attractions. The outdoor courtyard and gallery spaces are suitable for walking through at your own pace, and guided tours are available to help visitors understand the architecture and historical exhibits.
The building was constructed with oolitic stone quarried from nearby Windley Key, a material also used for other significant buildings in Coral Gables that gives the structure its characteristic timeless appearance. This native stone ties the building physically to the local environment and makes it a genuine part of the city's geological and architectural identity.
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