Coral Gables marked its 100th anniversary with a centennial flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on April 29. The event honored the city’s founding on April 29, 1925, by visionary developer George Merrick. The ceremony featured a tribute to Merrick’s legacy and celebratory cupcakes to honor a century of community, innovation, and growth.
Rabbi Jonathan Fisch of Temple Judea delivered the invocation, reflecting on the city’s journey and its future. “A hundred years behind us and an open road ahead of us,” Fisch remarked.
The city’s police and fire honor guard presented the colors, and the Centennial Flag was raised in a solemn ceremony. Jet Warwick, a student from Crystal Academy, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Alicia Fajardo, a student from Coral Gables Senior High School, read her winning essay titled “How GM’s Vision Shaped Coral Gables,” reflecting on the enduring impact of George Merrick’s vision on the city’s development.
Several prominent dignitaries attended the ceremony, including four former mayors of Coral Gables: Dorothy Thomson, Don Slesnick, Jim Carson and Raúl Valdés-Fauli.
Following the ceremony, attendees enjoyed cupcakes and coffee in celebration of the milestone. The event was part of a series of centennial celebrations throughout the year, including the premiere of the play “Greetings From Paradise” at the Miracle Theatre, which brings to life the early history of Coral Gables and its founder, George Merrick.
Author: Coral Gables Gazette News Staff
Originally established in 1996 and relaunched as a digital publication in February 2025, the Coral Gables Gazette is an independent local news organization dedicated to factual, objective and accountable community journalism. Our newsroom reports on the people, policies, institutions and events shaping Coral Gables, Florida, providing residents with timely, informative coverage of the issues affecting their community. Our reporting includes City Hall, local government, municipal elections, public spending, real estate development, business, education, arts and culture, and neighborhood affairs throughout the City Beautiful. We follow City Commission decisions, examine public records and report on the businesses, organizations and individuals contributing to Coral Gables. We believe informed residents are essential to a healthy, engaged community. Stories published under the Coral Gables Gazette News Staff byline are prepared or compiled by the publication's editorial team. We strive for accuracy, fairness, transparency and clear distinctions between news reporting, opinion and advertising. Readers are encouraged to submit news tips, corrections, editorial inquiries and story suggestions through our Contact page and learn more about our standards through our Editorial Policy.
