Cauley Square the Last Railroad Village in Florida, an Ideal Place for Your Events and Get-togethers
The village had a major makeover after Hurricane Andrew and its devastation. The place refused to die, and now Cauley Square is a perfect spot where family and community come together.
“Hurricanes Andrew, Wilma and Katrina have nothing on Cauley Square,” said owner Frances Varela, 69. Cauley Square’s resilient spirit rose among those tragedies and currently holds 19 old Florida cottages, shops, restaurants, gardens and galleries. It’s the perfect spot to relax and appreciate the beauty of an old railroad town just south of Miami-Dade.
“Although many things have tried to bring this place down, it hasn’t fallen and will not succumb. It’s trials like those that have made this place so strong and resilient in spirit,” Varela told the Miami Herald in 2016.
Cauley Square is a former railroad village bought in 1903 by pioneer farmer William Cauley and used to house workers for Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway while in the railroad expansion to Key West. After a steady economic decline due to the Great Depression, World War II and weather disasters, Miami-Dade County condemned the site for demolition.
However, the late preservationist Mary Ann Ballard bought the property in 1949 and gradually preserved the square, ultimately acquiring the “historic site” title from the county in 1994. After her death, her children sold the property to Honduran native Frances Varela in 2001.
Varela, a woman who spent her career in construction, poured millions into refurbishing the grounds. The restoration took almost a decade and continued until recent years. The main building, that used to be a warehouse and an illicit liquor store during the early 20th century, was recently restored.
Sitting at the corner of U.S.1., south of Miami-Dade, Cauley Square is now the perfect location for family and friends’ get-togethers. Visitors can spend their day shopping at the antique and specialty shops, enjoying fresh cuisine and home-cooked food at one of its world-class restaurants, casually strolling the garden paths or admiring its fountains, sculptures and private patios, and so much more.
Varela gave it a special and unique touch by building a small chapel to show gratitude for the blessings received in her life. The chapel is a beautiful spot for people to rest for quiet reflection.
“Our gardens and natural scenery, among foliage, flowers, birds and fountains, are a perfect setting for wedding venues and vow renewals. We take pride in helping couples design the event of their dreams—providing just the right atmosphere to make an unforgettable moment,” said Ivette Mejia, Marketing Director at Cauley Square.
Additionally, Cauley Square offers a variety of weekly, monthly and yearly special events for all ages and families, including special events like festivals and holiday parties such as Santa is coming to Cauley Square, Easter, Valentines day, classic car shows, Cauley Square Jeeps and Trucks Show, bike shows, Halloween, and much more, not to mention the yearlong corporate events. This January 13, 2019, Cauley Square holds the New Year’s Family Funday event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cauley Square is also part of The Redland Tropical Trail, a tour featuring a circuit of stops, tastings, and sightseeing, with several attractions nearby, bringing visitors from across the country and state. For more information visit www.cauleysquare.com
Haz clic para leer en Español: Cauley Square el último pueblo ferroviario en Florida, un lugar ideal para sus eventos y reuniones familiares
