George Merrick

George Edgar Merrick (1886–1942) was a real estate developer who is best known as the planner and builder of the city of Coral Gables, Florida in the 1920s, one of the first planned communities in the United States.

Merrick was born in Springdale, Pennsylvania. His father, Solomon G. Merrick, was a Congregationalist minister. The family moved to Miami, Florida from Duxbury, MA in 1898, when George was 12 years old. George attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

In October, 1915, George Merrick was appointed by the governor of Florida to replace F.A. Bryant as the county commissioner in District 1. He spent the next 15 months on the commission championing the building of roads in South Florida, including major arteries that would later serve to connect his well-planned community of Coral Gables with the fast-growing city of Miami. Along with Commissioner Edward DeVere Burr of Arch Creek, the two men ushered the vast majority of all road construction projects in Dade County, including the construction of South Dixie Highway (US 1), the Tamiami Trail across the Everglades, theCounty Causeway to Miami Beach, Ingraham Highway (later known as Old Cutler Road) along the coast, the Miami Canal Highway and many others. These improvements allowed the population of Greater Miami to quadruple from 1915 to 1921, transforming a pioneer territory into a burgeoning metropolis.

The city of Coral Gables is George Merrick's legacy. He envisioned the Biltmore Hotel, a great university, Venetian Pool, a grand City Hall, magnificent country clubs and golf courses, 40 miles of waterways, parks and fountains, notable entranceways and majestic streets.

Within his well designed city, Merrick set aside a special piece of property on the Granada Golf Course -- a rustic outdoor environment in the midst of his modern suburb -- dedicated to empowering the youth of our community through scouting.

Since 1922, the boy scout troop that bears his name still meets at the George Merrick Scout Property on Granada Greenway every week, a testament to the legacy of his vision for his city and his commitment to a program of outdoor skills, youth leadership and self reliance.

Mr. Merrick knew it was important for Coral Gables to have a first-class scouting program and he set the standard for community support with his donation of land and establishment of the foundation to maintain the property.

Today, the George Merrick Foundation contributes to the maintenance of his historic scout property. The City of Coral Gables, civic leaders and concerned citizens, with a long term vision to enhance the property for the purposes of scouting while retaining the original rustic nature intended by Merrick.

Soon after Coral Gables' first scout troop was chartered in 1923, Mr. Merrick deeded land to his George Merrick Foundation Troop 7 scouts, and his architect, Phineas Paist, designed a special log cabin for the boys to be built in a wooded area on the Granada Greenway.

Since October 1922, George Merrick's Troop 7 of Coral Gables has distinguished itself by providing our youth with a robust combination of wholesome activities designed to build character and the tools to develop leadership skills.

Eight decades after starting in Albert Bartle’s garage, more than three thousand Coral Gables boys have benefitted from the lessons that scouting has to offer, and more than 170 dedicated young men have earned the ultimate rank — Eagle Scout. Troop 7 scouts have grown up to become governors, mayors, business leaders, decorated war heroes and outstanding citizens in a myriad of occupations. Each can trace the roots of his good character to lessons learned as a Troop 7 scout and many have returned to share their experiences with the younger boys as adult leaders.

Today's scouts enjoy the fruits of this fine tradition inspired by George Merrick and continued by the support of the Coral Gables Kiwanis Club, parents, troop alumni, civic leaders and concerned citizens of Coral Gables.

Uninterrupted service since 1922, George Merrick's Troop 7 of Coral Gables is now honored as one of the country's oldest and most respected charters in the history of the scouts.

1922-1938 Albert Bartle
Our first scoutmaster was Mr. Albert H. Bartle, who set the standard for long term service to the troop. As scoutmaster for the first three years, then a committee member, Mr. Bartle served Troop 7 for 16 years until 1938. During his time with the troop, Mr. Bartle was instrumental in developing a strong scouting program for Coral Gables. Troop 7 soon gained a reputation as a top-notch organization. During his tenure, construction began on a log cabin from pines and poles ravaged by the 1926 hurricane.

Although it burned down in 1971, the log cabin remains an icon of Troop 7 history throughout the years, represented by a historic State of Florida Marker installed by the George Merrick Foundation in 2007.

Many community minded leaders served as scoutmaster for the troop over the years. In 1928, Mr. Le Roy Kimports lead the troop for seven years.

1941-45 During World War II
Many of our Troop 7 alumni served with distinction in the armed forces. Among others who lost their lives, Bradbury Franklin and Jack Kendall were shot down over Europe. Joe Crownover was wounded in the battle of Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941 and honored with the distinguished Purple Heart medal.

1944-1975 Rex Hawkins
In 1944, one our most outstanding leaders, Rex Hawkins, joined the committee, then went on to become scoutmaster in 1950 and 1963. Rex continued to be an active member and scoutmaster to the boys until his death in 1975, dedicating over 31 years.

The old Troop 7 log cabin burned on March 30, 1971, leaving only the chimney. The new building (finished in 1976) was dedicated to Rex Hawkins, and he was awarded the Silver Beaver in recognition of his 31 years of outstanding service to Troop 7.

1971 William C. Martin
After 45 years the old scout house log cabin burned down. Now all that remains is the chimney, which has been designated a historic landmark. Troop meetings were relocated again to the Congregational Church. A committee was established to rebuild the cabin and funds were solicited from the public. Committee Chairman William C. Martin stored Troop 7's valuables in his garage while the new cabin was built.

Cox, Craft, Carlton
In 1954, Mr. Charles Cox lead the troop as scoutmaster until 1957, then as a committee member until 1961. Richard Averett was scoutmaster between 1958 and 1963. Mr. Harry Craft served as leader from 1964 to 1971. In 1966, Mr. Douglas Carlton joined as assistant scoutmaster, then as scoutmaster from 1971 until 1973. Mr. Carlton continued his involvement in scouts when he left Troop 7, which was only because he moved his business and family up to Broward County. He received the Silver Beaver Award for 40 years of scouting service prior to his passing away in 1994.

1967-2005 Joe Crownover
After being a member of the troop as a boy in ‘31 and ‘32, Joe Crownover returned to Coral Gables after 30 years in the Navy. He volunteered as assistant scoutmaster in 1967, then became scoutmaster for four years from 1974 until 1977. Since that time, Joe continued to tirelessly serve as assistant scoutmaster keeping impeccable Troop 7 advancement records until he passed away February 9, 2005, with more than 40 years as a member.

1967 Duffield Matson III
Senior Patrol Leader Duffield Matson III earned his Eagle Scout rank with a ceremony at the scout log cabin. With 43 merit badges, Duffy also set a new Troop 7 record for the most merit badges earned in the 45 year history of the troop. In 1999, Duffy, along with Robert Burr and Richard Dewitt, re-established the George Merrick Foundation with a mission to maintain the scout house property, promote scouting in the community and provide facilities for scouts in Coral Gables.

1975-2002 Peter Lewis
Perry Lewis and his father Peter first joined the troop. After Perry earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1979, Peter served as advisor to Explorer Post 7. Peter has also completed the Barefoot Mailman Hike over 30 consecutive times. Peter Lewis served Troop 7 as Committee Chairman from 1990 until 2002, with over 27 years of total service.

1975-2001 Colonel Harry Buzhardt
A tireless Troop 7 supporter, Mr. Harry Buzhardt provided leadership and support on behalf of our charter sponsor, the Coral Gables Kiwanis Club (our charter sponsor since 1952). Harry earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1937 and was a tireless Troop 7 supporter for more than 25 years, since 1975, rarely missing a weekly meeting. In 1979 he completed his adult leadership training under Training Chairman, Joe Crownover. Colonel Buzhardt served as the Tequesta District Commissioner on two occasions as well as the District Chairman. He also served on the South Florida Council Fund Raising Committee and received a "Letter of Commendation" for successfully raising $55,000. He served more than 25 years on Troop 7's Committee, rarely missing a Wednesday evening meeting until his death in April, 2001. When Harry passed away in 2001, Robert Burr, Steve Moorman, Robin Burr took the reigns and have already proven their ability to provide guidance and advice from their benevolent sponsors.

1971-2007 Tom Dixon
Mr. Thomas Dixon took over the reins in 1978, after serving as assistant scoutmaster since 1971. Tom remained scoutmaster until 1984, continuing to serve as assistant scoutmaster until 2007, with more than 36 years of service to the troop. Tom has retired and moved to Texas in order to be close to his grandchildren, who are all devoted scouts. Tom is still involved in the scouting program there.

1967-2004 Fred Kimball
Fred Kimball joined Troop 7 as a scout in 1967, at age 11. Fred earned his Eagle rank in 1972, then served as assistant scoutmaster through 1986, before taking over as scoutmaster for the troop in 1987. Since that time Mr. Kimball has provided outstanding leadership to the boys. As a scout and as an adult leader, Fred attained an impressive record of more than 36 years of uninterrupted service to the troop. Fred moved on to work at the district level in 2004.

1987-2001 Martha Marcalle
Adam Silva joined the troop after five years as a member of Cub Scout Pack 7 (1987). Adam earned his Eagle Rank in 1996. His mother, Martha Marcalle joined the troop committee in 1994 and served actively for 7 years including a year as the committee chairman. Martha's involvement in scouts sets an admirable standard for our community. Many Troop 7 Eagle Scouts credit Martha Marcalle with challenging them and assisting them to complete their advancements and merit badges that led to them to receive the highest rank in scouting. Martha served a total of 14 years to the Pack and the Troop.

1994 Robert A. Burr
In 1999, Robert Burr along with Duffield Matson III and Richard Dewitt established the George Merrick Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation with the partial mission to maintain the historic scout house property, promote scouting in the community and provide facilities for scouts in Coral Gables. After damage from Hurricane Andrew and continued wear and tear, including constant hits from golf balls, being in the middle of the Granada Golf Course, the roof of the Rex Hawkins Scout Building desperately needed repair. The George Merrick Foundation solicits donations from friends, families, community organizations and Troop 7 alumni. Thanks to Robert Burr's fundraising efforts and contributors such as Dr. Rex Hawkins, Jr., The Rouse Company, Commissioner Chip Withers, Vice Mayor Dorothy Thomson, The Biltmore Hotel, Jack Phifer, William Mayville, the Tenth Holers of the Country Club of Coral Gables and many others, more than $16,000 was raised for roof repairs. By February of 2001, the new roof was installed and damaged ceiling tiles are replaced.

1994 Robert V. Burr
After earning his Eagle Scout rank March 30, 1999, Robert V. Burr went on to earn an additional 30 merit badges, breaking the record set by Duffy Matson in 1967. Robert's 51 merit badges remains unbeaten. In March, 2001, Robert also became the first Eagle Scout in the history of Troop 7 to earn Double Silver Palms. Robert has been a registered Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 7 since he turned 18 in 2001.

1994 Robin V. Burr
Robert's mother, Robin Burr, began serving on the Troop Committee in 1994 and lead the troop to summer camp each and every year, while working on advancements and has served as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Committee as well as the Kiwanis Chartered Organization Representative. She became the first female scoutmaster of Troop 7 in September 2007 and served as both the Scoutmaster and the Cubmaster of Pack 7 simultaneously. Robin retired at the end of 2011 after serving 5 years as Scoutmaster and 3 years as Cubmaster and a total of 17 years of service to the Troop. Robin remains involved in the George Merrick Foundation.

2000 Steven J. Moorman
As a long time Kiwanis member, and Eagle Scout himself, Steve Moorman joined Troop 7 with his surrogate son, John Molin, in 2000. Steve became to serve as the Committee Chairman for both the Troop and Pack 7 in 2003 and continued to serve up until 2012. Under Steve's leadership 10 scouts became Eagle in Troop 7. Even though John became Eagle in 2007, Steve stayed on and helped Robin Burr rebuild the Pack and saw to it that the Pack celebrated their 36 recharter and the Troop hit the historic mark of 90 recharters.

2003-2007 David Albury
David Albury, a devoted Kiwanis member, joined Troop 7 as the Chartering Organization Representative in 2003 with his son, DJ.He became the Scoutmaster in 2004 and led the troop for 3 years while earning his Wood Badge beads and seeing the young men in the Troop get their start on the trail to Eagle. Due to work commitments, David had to step down as the troop leader, but continues to be on the Board of Directors for the George Merrick Foundation.

Many other community-minded individuals and companies have joined the ranks of Troop 7 supporters and volunteers over the years, and we look forward to working with these generous and talented citizens now and in the future.