To begin the Redland Riot Tour on US1 in Cutler Ridge, take the Turnpike south,exit at Caribbean Blvd or SW 211 St, then West to US1. Turn left on US1.
1. US1 South to 224 St, West to Miami Avenue, South to Cauley Square.2. West to 124 Av, North to 216 St, then West to 127 Av to Burrs Berry Farm.3. West to 157 Av, South to 232 St to Anderson's Corner.4. South to 248 St, West to 160 Av to Knaus Berry Farm.5. West to 187 Av to Fruit and Spice Park.6. South to 264 St to Pioneer Guild Hall.7. South to 280 St, East to 182 Av to R.F. Orchids.8. South on 187 Av to 344 St, West to 192 Av to Robert Is Here.9. East to Krome, North to 8th Street to Florida Pioneer Museum.10. North on 177 Av, right on S. Flagler, go two blocks to Redland Hotel.
Redland Riot Tour 2005 by Robert A. Burr www.redlandriot.com
The pioneer era of South Florida was a time of legends and greatadventurers. Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railroad reached Miamiin 1896, signaling a boom era that attracted thousands of families.
Enticed by rumors and legends of life in paradise, of balmywinters that cured a dozen ailments, of a land where an abundance ofexotic, delicious fruit was said to fall from trees only to rot on theground, a trickle of bold adventurers arrived before 1900. Before theboom era ended with the great depression in 1929, a steady stream offamilies, entrepreneurs and tourists came south to experience sub-tropical Dade County.
As rural, family-based agricultural enterprises were eventuallysqueezed out by expanding residential and commercial districts, muchof the original charm and rustic flavor of the area has faded. Still, ifwe take the time to look a bit closer, there are a number of lingeringreminders of our pioneer era. The Redland Riot tour emphasizes a fewremaining historical destinations and encourages us to enjoy thesimple pleasures of the seasonal bounty while helping us to re-discover the rural charm of our recent past.
As the winter season descends on South Florida, as thestrawberries begin to ripen and the fruit stands open to the public, wealways enjoy a drive through the countryside or what's left of it to stock up on goodies and remind ourselves of our rustic heritage.
After many seasons traveling through the area often informallycalled "the Redlands" we have jotted down a few notes here to helpthose that might have an interest in the same.
There are literally hundreds of fruit stands and farms, orchidhouses, historical buildings and great places to dine or just act like atourist in South Florida. The Redland Riot tour touches on a few ofour favorites which can be visited briefly all in one day or visitedtime and again for more in-depth adventures.
Cauley Square, for example, could easily be an all-day destination.The dozens of little shops, almost hidden within a hardwoodhammock just off the beaten path, could keep our attention for manyhours. Likewise, visits to the Fruit and Spice Park or the Antique shopsin historic Homestead are destinations worthy of greater explorationthan a six hour tour might permit.
Sometimes, we'll do the quick version -- head directly for Burr's forstrawberries and jam, to Knaus for the sticky buns and pineappleupside-down cake and to Robert Is Here for those exotic fruits,indispensible condiments and special sauces that only Robert offers.
Another nice variation is to begin at Tiffanys Restaurant forbrunch on Saturday morning, then work your way north to finish thetour browsing around the quaint little shops at Cauley Square.
The Redland Riot tour can be taken at any time, by any numberof people. The best choice may be Saturdays, between January andApril, but many of the fruit stands are open all year with varyingseasonal specialties. Trips on weekdays may find lesser crowds andshorter lines for the milkshakes and baked goods.
Every time we tour the Redlands, we try to visit a place thats newto us. Weve been going to Coral Castle since we were kids, and a tripto the Everglades Alligator Farm is a great educational experience.Here are a few more notable places to see and stop along the way.
The Florida State Farmers Market, with a large variety of freshproduce, offers samples of local fruits and vegetables just behind therestaurant, so plan to visit for shopping and a family meal.
The Gold Coast Railroad Museum, at the site of the historicRichmond Naval Air station (often referred to as the blimp base) isnot just for train buffs. The Redland Market Village, along US1 at SW244th Street is a large collection of fruit stands and a food court.
Fruteria Los Girasoles is a small stand with excellent produce,including fresh chilled coconut juice, right out of the nut. Theselection of fresh hot chili peppers is the best around, plus tomatitos,oranges and other Mexican specialties.
Notable homes include the Kosel Homestead on SW 256 St, theWalton Home on SW 187th Ave, the Lingren House on SW 137thAvenue, the Cooper Residence on SW 248th Street, the McMinn-Horne House on NE 12th Street in Homestead, the Merrit Houseacross the street from the Fruit and Spice Park and the Palm Lodge onSW 296th Street.
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Cauley SquareSW 224th Street and US1, Miami, FL
When Flaglers railroad reached Goulds in 1903, William Cauleycould easily pack his tomatoes and ship them north on a daily basis.This millionaire farmer and businessman developed a series ofwarehouses and offices, a bar and grill and residences within a tenacre plot along side the railroad tracks. Many of the small woodenhomes still standing were hand built by pioneers of South Dade in theearly 1900s.
Today, they are converted into small shops full of antiques, craftsand specialty items, plus galleries and eateries as well.
The Tea Room is a perennial favorite. Enjoy lunch here withfriends in a delightful atmosphere and treat yourself to great soups,hearty specialties of the house and superb desserts.
The main building, with Unicorn Creations and the LighthouseAntiques and Gift Emporium, is surrounded by small garden shops.Rubys Place is a full service beauty salon; local crafters and theirproducts are featured at OSew Crafty; Shadow Hawk Creations offersnative American and Western accessories, just to name a few.
Cauley Square features live music on the weekends, as well aspony and carriage rides. Park your car in a shady spot and walkaround. Youll be delighted with the rustic setting and friendlyatmosphere as an appropriate start to your tour down south.
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the Tea Room at (1) Cauley Square is a popular destination for lunchand afternoon tea set amongst lush landscaping in a shady hammock
Cauley Square features fountains and open courtyard with flamingoes
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Burrs Berry Farm12741 SW 216th St, Miami, FL
The Burr family came to Dade county just after the railroadreached the newly formed city of Miami in 1896. Richard HudsonBurr and eldest son R.H. Burr, jr. settled in Little River. Son EdwardDeVere Burr and family settled in Arch Creek, while youngest sonRaymond Young Burr came to Goulds.
Along with another pioneer clan, the Bush family, the Burrs onceoperated a packing house on Old Dixie Highway, shipping fruit andvegetables to cold northern cities throughout the winters.
Charles Young Burr was born on this 45 acre property in 1922. Arecipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star from service in WWII,Charles Burr will forever be known in these parts as the StrawberryKing, a fitting moniker for a man whos passion was the production ofthe best strawberries in South Florida. He planted his first crop ofberries in 1960 and the rest, as they say, is history.
Charlie enjoyed flying his piper cub around the redlands and theold landing strip at the Burr farm is still found on many maps andcharts of the area. He passed away in 2001, but the legacy of theStrawberry King lives on as customers eagerly await the opening of thestand soon after Christmas each year.
Even as expanding residential areas have surrounded and engulfedthe rural property over the years, the Burr farm remains largelyunchanged since SW 127th Avenue became known as Burr Road.
Uncle Charlie could often be found delivering fresh berries to thePublix grocery store in Coral Gables, a great convenience for us citydwellers, but nothing compares to a trip down south to say hello inperson and enjoy the best of the best strawberries in South Dade.
Under the direction of Charles grandson Jeffrey Miller, this verypopular berry farm and fruit stand still dispenses thousands of quarts ofberries and a plethora of milkshakes to locals and tourists each season.
Aunt Mary Idena still produces her outstanding homemade jelliesand jams, from mulberry and guava (a century-old family favorite) toseedless strawberry jam. Youll also find a selection of fresh tomatoes,green beans and other seasonal specialties at the stand.
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Andersons Corner15700 SW 232nd Steet, Miami, FL
The original setlement south of Cutler, Anderson's Corner is nowclosed, but the building still remains in nearly the original condition.The owners intend to re-open this historical landmark, so keep an eyeout for progress.
The years between 1910 and 1920 saw Dade County's populationquadruple in size. The landscape was quickly evolving from desertedwetland swamps to rows of fields as rudimentary roads and auspicioushomesteaders found their way south. Draining the lowlands providedample opportunities for agricultural endeavors and it was not longbefore extensive development was underway.
Because transportation between disparate settlements throughoutthe county was difficult, general stores provided a level ofconvenience to residents in outlaying areas, including many farmers.Anderson's Corner is the last of these pioneer-era commercialpropert
