IPH Communities – Sylva G. Martin Community Center

Sylva G. Martin

Sylva G. Martin was born in 1896 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In December of 1916, her parents, Dr and Mrs. Sigmund Graenicher came to settle in the Miami area. After looking around, they bought ten acres at the cost of $60 per acre at the corner of what is now Sunset Drive and SW 67th Avenue. On that land, the Graenicher erected a house which was Sylva G. Martin’s last address before she died. Mrs Martin only joined her parents to what was at that time Larkins in September 1917.

She met Raeburn Martin during World War I. He was stationed with the Army at Chapman Field in South Dade. They were married in 1920 on New Year’s eve, lived together for two years and a half, separated and later divorced. Even though by profession she was a teacher and had taught German in Milwaukee schools, when arriving in Larkins, she raised chickens and sold the eggs on Flagler Street. Then, she attended Pan American Business College and got a secretarial job in 1924 with the Northeast Security Corp in downtown Miami.

In 1931, she began working for the City of South Miami as a part-time secretary. On March 3, 1936, the City Council, headed by Mayor George Pearson, appointed her city clerk, tax assessor, tax clerk, and clerk of the municipal court, for a monthly salary of $ 100. In 1953, the city adopted a city manager form of government . As a result, Sylva G. Martin was relieved of all city duties, with the exception of the city clerk position, which she held until April 2nd, 1957.

Her 21 years as a city clerk was not her only involvement for the City of South Miami. In addition, Sylva G. Martin also belonged to several organizations (chapter member of Town Club of South Miami and charter member of Senior Citizens Club of South Miami) and played an active role with the South Miami Chamber of Commerce, the Red Cross, and the Maning-Dowling Cancer Club.

Two decisions taken in 1979 show how important Sylva G. Martin had become in South Miami. First, on May 15th, 1979, the City Council unanimously voted to rename the community building (also used in the past as the city’s first public library) after her. Second, Steve Clark, Mayor of Dade County, proclaimed October 10th, 1979 as « Sylva G. Martin Day » because « Sylva G. Martin’s name and presence are anonymous with historical development of the City of South Miami. » Despite the fact that she died twelve years ago, on May 6, 1988, Sylva G. Martin is still strongly remembered by South Miami citizens today.

Sylva G. Martin Community Center

6150 Sunset Drive(SW 72nd Avenue) South Miami, FL, 33143

In the early 1930s, South Miami’s population was growing quickly. As a result, there was soon a need for a public park or a recreational center. On January 1st, 1935, the South Miami City Council passed the Ordinance 72, dedicating certain lands to build this needed structure, and the Ordinance 73, appropriating a sum of money for the erection of this structure. To cover part of the building cost, the city applied for funds from Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Federal Emergency Relief Agency (FERA), later known as the Works Progress Administration (WPA). In September 1935, the city organized a cornerstone laying ceremony. This celebration, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, included a baseball game, a parade, entertainment by local singing groups, some dances, and the inspection of a new fire fighting equipment.

The one story building, architecturally significant for its use of native materials and fine stone craftsmanship, was dedicated in February 1936. It included an auditorium, a stage, dressing rooms, a kitchen and sanitation facilities. To rent it an evening in 1936, it cost $ 2.00. The building quickly became a center or meeting place for many groups including troops of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the South Miami Chamber of Commerce, and the Woman’s Club. Through the years, the building was adapted to respond to the need of the city and consequently, served the following various functions:

• When threatened by storms, South Miami residents took refuge in the building.
• The American Legion Post and Auxiliary used it for a while.
• When facilities at the old city hall were no longer adequate, the center served as a polling place for all local and national elections.
• The City Council and Zoning Board held their meetings and public hearings there until the new city hall was constructed in 1956.
• During World War II, it became an entertainment center for soldiers stationed in the area.
• In 1958, it became South Miami’s first public library and remained so until the new library opened in 1977.
• Since 1977, it is again used as a community center, primarily for senior citizens.

On May 15, 1979, the City Council voted to rename the center for Sylva G. Martin.