Florida Historical Markers Programs - Marker Detail

Description: When Miami lawyers John and Ethel Murrell took a vacation to France in 1930, they visited Saint-Julien, a 14th century priory in Douy. Enamored with its architecture, the couple hired prominent Miami architect Martin L. Hampton to design a similarly styled home as their residence. Completed in 1931, the house was a unique example of Period Revival style architecture and is Miami’s only known French chateau. The Murrells were both passionate about Miami and Florida. John served as an attorney for real estate developer George Merrick and other prominent families. Ethel was regarded as one of Miami’s leading feminists. She drafted Florida’s Married Women's Act, part of a ten-year campaign that ended in success when the bill was passed in 1943. That same year, Ethel became president of Florida’s first Soroptimist club, which provided aid to poor elderly persons. She gained national recognition as Florida’s representative to the National Association of Women Lawyers and as an advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment. In 1948, Ethel became the chair of the National Woman’s Party. The Murrells lived out the remainder of their lives in their chateau, Petit Douy, John passing in 1982 and Ethel in 1986.