Anyone who grew up in Miami in the 50s and 60s remembers driving by the Coppertone Girl when going through downtown Miami on Biscayne Boulevard. She and her naughty dog graced the Parkleigh Building on N.E. 6th Street and Biscayne strategically placed so that every tourist driving into Miami or going to the old Seaport to catch a cruise ship was greeted by her cute surprised expression as the dog pulled down her pants just enough to show what a beautiful tan you could get on any Miami beach. Unfortunately when the Parkleigh was demolished in 1991 the poor girl was left homeless. But not for long! Schering-Plough, owners of the Coppertone trademark, donated the sign to the citizens of Miami and placed it in the care of the Dade Heritage Trust. The Trust has taken loving care of its adopted daughter ever since. After refurbishment of the sign, the Trust relocated the sign to the east side of the Concord Building at 66 W. Flagler St., where the golden girl sans pooch hangs today. Sadly, now this second locale is no longer able to host the popular image.
The solution to this dilemma is to entrust the sign to the MiMo Biscayne Association. The group was verbally promised the sign last November and has been just as diligent as the Trust in pursuing any option that will save it for a second time. Schering-Plough has offered $2000 for the removal and inspection of the landmark. According to a spokesperson, Schering-Plough expects the sign to come down sometime in April at the latest, and then all parties involved will determine the next steps for the Coppertone tyke. It is expected that Miami's most famous sunbather will be relocated to the MIMO district to carouse among her contemporary motel row surroundings. Stay tuned for her rebirth.
By way of historical background, the Coppertone Girl was the creation of graphic artist Joyce Ballantyne Brand, using her daughter Cheri Irwin as the model. Cheri is presently employed as an aerobics instructor in Ocala, Florida. Later, Jodie Foster made her acting debut as the Coppertone girl in a television commercial, when she was 3 years old. The sign was built buy the well known Miami sign company, Webster Outdoor Advertising, that created many of the famous old signs around Miami of that era.
9 comments:
why does it have to move from the flagler location?
I believe the Concord Building is being renovated or demolished so it couldn't stay there.
I seem to remember seeing the sign as I exited the Sunshine State Turnpike at 163rd Street. And, didn't the dog raise and lower her bathing suit??
I'm sorry to disagree but the Coppertone girl with the dog was displayed for years before artist Joyce Ballantyne Brand used her daughter Cheri Irwin as the model to REcreate the original look. There are numerous folks who state that Robin Porter of Hialeah was the original model. See the comments at the bottom of
http://www.pbase.com/donboyd/memories_ads_old2 for more elaboration.
OLD SALTY is correct. Before it was anywhere near Biscayne Blvd., the Coppertone sign was a the area of 163rd/167th and Memorial Hwy greeting anyone coming into Miami by way of the Florida Turnpike. It was moved to Biscayne Blvd. when the Cloverleaf Exchange was built. Yes, the panties when up and down.
There were many coppertone signs throughout the county. This one stood on Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami. I was born and raised here and saw it every week for years in the 1950s when we picked up my dad at the old seaport near the Miami Herald building. There was also one installed much later on Dixie Highway near Coconut Grove.
We all people still go there and get a half baked and take it home about once a week. I really admire your blog page. I believe Frankie's Pizza is the best pizza . I had it many times and love to try it again.
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