Charles H. Crandon Papers - 1926-1975

Identity elements

Reference code

HMA0054

Name and location of repository

Level of description

Collection

Title

Charles H. Crandon Papers - 1926-1975

Date(s)

  • 1926-1975 (Creation)

Extent

2 folders, 3 scrapbooks

Name of creator

Biographical history

Charles H. Crandon was born in Acushnet, Mass., on 1886 November 16. His family were Quaker farmers; at 11 he played the church organ. In 1917 he came to Miami, where he founded the Crandon Wholesale Drug Company. He was elected commissioner for District 1 in 1929, serving for 20 years. He was instrumental in creating the county park system--Crandon Park on Key Biscayne was named for him. He also pushed for the creation of the county's health department. Active in Miami Civic Music Association from 1936, he sponsored the building of the Dade County Auditorium. Well known for his hobby of growing earthworms, he was interested in gardening and had a grove of avocados at his home on Red Road. After his retirement from the commission, he became president of Fairchild Tropical Garden's Board.

Name of creator

Biographical history

Name of creator

Biographical history

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

Correspondence, speeches, clippings, campaign material, photoprints, brochures, and programs reflect Crandon's activities and interests as a Dade County commissioner, sponsor of the Miami Civic Music Association, and lover of nature. Two large scrapbooks, covering the years 1942-1950, contain material on county matters, especially parks and health services; the expansion of the airport; Miami Civic Music activities, Crandon himself, and his family. There are a number of private and public testimonials given at his retirement from the county commission. A third smaller scrapbook (1962-1970s) concentrates on the "Crandon amendments" to the Metro charter in 1962. Two folders, housed separately, have letters from constituents and material from his 1932 campaign for election as commissioner from District 1. Correspondence includes a 1948 ALS from Philip Wylie on the Key Biscayne railroad and a 1942 ALS from David Fairchild on Crandon's recovery from a serious illness.

Letters to and from Charles H. Crandon, then Chairman of the Dade County Board of Commissioners, pertain to several requests for assistance from the county welfare funds. Letters from Crandon are carbon copies; others are originals

Crandon Park dedication photograph album, November 1947. Include aerial views of Crandon Park and the Rickenbacker Causeway which was also dedicated during the ceremony. Other views show Hurricane Harbor, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker and other dignitaries at the event. Newspaper clippings of the dedication are included.

Transcripts of speeches given on radio in support of Crandon's bid for re-election for Dade County County Commissioner, 1932.

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use elements

Conditions governing access

The collection is open for research.

Physical access

Technical access

Conditions governing reproduction

Languages of the material

  • English

Scripts of the material

    Language and script notes

    Finding aids

    Acquisition and appraisal elements

    Custodial history

    Immediate source of acquisition

    Gift of Philip Crandon, 1980. Gift of Regis Kroner, 2002.

    Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

    Accruals

    Related materials elements

    Existence and location of originals

    Existence and location of copies

    Related archival materials

    Related descriptions

    Notes element

    General note

    Other Information

    Accessions:

    1980-241

    X-1170

    2002-415

    Specialized notes

    Alternative identifier(s)

    Description control element

    Rules or conventions

    Sources used

    Archivist's note

    © Copyright 2019 HistoryMiami Archives & Research Center. All rights reserved.

    Access points

    Subject access points

    Genre access points

    Accession area