We received an advanced copy of Arva Moore Parks' new book, about the history of Coconut Grove called, "Images of America Coconut Grove." We can't put it down, and not just because we are on page 126!
The book really is a must have for all Grovites and history buffs. It's divided by chapters from when it was Cocoanut Grove (with an "a" in the middle) and there is a chapter on the "Swells and Millionaire's Row" and one on being Green before Green was the thing to be. I love all the old photographs which depict the Grove so long ago.
What's interesting is that so much of then is here now, buildings on Main Highway for instance, are still standing today, that were built 100 years ago. We really do have a lot of history here in the Grove. It's so interesting to see the Grove's frontier life starting in the 1800s and then see it come up through the years, it shows the turbulent 1960s and the hippies in Peacock Park and modern times as well.
We mentioned recently how the H&H Jewelery store was a bank at one time and that Fuller Street, was an alleyway before it became a street. Both are depicted in an old photo in the book. It's incredible how much has changed and yet how much has remained the same.
I have always admired Arva Moore Parks, growing up, I always appreciated her love of history and her fight to preserve history. I was awestruck when I met her for the first time and now am thrilled to call her my friend, and it's an unexplainable honor to be pictured in the same pages with the likes of the Peacocks, the Munroes and the MacFarlanes.
The whole point of this post it to invite you to an event, which is sure to be a very memorable Grove event -- the book release party and book signing by Arva at The Bookstore in the Grove (3399 Virginia Street) on Thursday, September 30 at 7 pm. Local musician, Bobby Ingram, who is also featured in the book, will be performing, and Bo Bennett, Arva's co-editor will be on hand, too.
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