DICE HOUSE

In 1916, David Brantley Dice and Jessie Van May Dice moved to the Kendall area from Little River in northern Miami. The couple purchased a tract of land from J.J. Hinson and established a farm. Later, they opened a small general store and lived above it until 1920, when they constructed this home. The Dices’ general store was the center of the small pioneer community as one of the few buildings with a telephone. This house represents one of the last remaining frame vernacular buildings in Kendall, and is a symbol of the simple life in early southern Miami-Dade County. It was designated as a historical site by Miami-Dade County in 1989. The house was severely damaged in 1992 during Hurricane Andrew, and deteriorated thereafter. In 2005, it came under threat of demolition. Through the combined efforts of the Dade Heritage Trust, the District County Commissioner, Miami-Dade County Office of Historic Preservation and local community advocates, it was saved. The house was relocated four blocks west from its original location at 9840 Southwest 77 Avenue to Continental Park. The house was then restored and converted into a community center.