History of Schenley Park Pt.1 : From Farm to Home

Long before Schenley Park became the charming residential community we know today, the land had a very different purpose. In the early 20th century, the Bindley family purchased 120 acres of farmland along Red Road, near Coral Way, to provide fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products for his home.

The farm featured structures designed by Richard Kiehnel, a prominent architect in Miami known for introducing Mediterranean and Spanish Revival styles to the region. Kiehnel’s designs included a small residence, a poultry house, and a dairy barn—giving the farm a distinctive “Spanish style” that stood out in early Miami. These buildings served the farm for several years, creating a quaint agricultural enclave in what would eventually become a bustling neighborhood.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll explore how this farmland transformed into the Schenley Park subdivision we know and love today!

To learn more about the Richard Keihnel and his historical architectural relevance to the city of Miami, check out our source here: https://dadeheritagetrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/KIEHNEL_FINAL_ll.pdf?

Richard Kiehnel on site during construction of Coral Gables Congregational Church (1923), 3010 DeSoto Boulevard, c.1923.

(Office of Historical Preservation, City of Coral Gables)