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Coral Castle Is A Must See Florida Tourist Attraction
Almost at the tip of southern Florida is an amazing structure that has garnered the attention of tens of thousands of visitors each and every year. Located just over 30 miles of Miami Florida exists one of the most amazing and mind altering tourist attractions in the world. Compared most often to Stonehenge in England, this megalithic marvel rests on the side of the South Dixie Highway as you travel to the Keys
The Coral Castle Castle was originally called Rock Gate Park. It was built by one man working by himself for over 20 years. From 1920 until 1940, Edward Leedskalnin, more commonly known in the South Florida area as Ed, dedicated most of his adult life to creating this megalithic wonder.
As the story goes, and Leedskalnin was engaged to be married to his sweetheart named Agnes Scuffs. Ed was infatuated with her and affectionately called her his "Sweet 16". Ed called her this because he was 26 years old at the time and she was nearly 16.
On the day before the wedding, Agnes told Ed that she did not want to marry him anymore. Many theories have arisen for her rejection of him. Some say that he was too poor for her standards. Others believe that it was his lack of education having only gone to school up until the fourth grade.
Whatever the reason was, this was a very life changing event for Ed Leedskalnin. It cost him to pack up and leave his hometown in Latvia and journey across the ocean to Canada to start his new life.
It is said that Edward Leedskalnin wandered about for several years. After making his way to Canada, he then moved down into California and eventually arrived in Texas. He worked several types of jobs including the lumber camps in Canada and California. He is said to have also been part of at least one cattle drive in Texas.
For the many thousands that have seen the Coral Castle, one might think that it was the creation of someone who is well acquainted with engineering and was strong enough to move and manipulate several thousand tons of coral. Edward sadly developed a near fatal case of tuberculosis, an illness that would lead them toward an oncoming destiny.
After recovering from his bout with tuberculosis, and purchased an acre of land from the realtor that help save his life. This land was located near Florida City. Aesthetically, this land was not the best land for an immigrant or anyone to begin building upon. Even though he only paid $12 for this one acre, is here that Ed began his journey toward the miraculous and began to build the structure that we know today as the Coral Castle.
Armed with the belief that America was the land of extremes came true, and began to build in business for himself. Constructing what has been called a garden of rocks; Ed quarried, lifted, and sculpted domestically shaped pieces of coral directly out of the ground that he purchased. Ed carved out chairs, tables, and even a 30 ton obelisk that stood 40 feet high without using modern machinery.
In this particular part of Florida, the coral is several thousand feet in depth. He had plenty of material to work with and he began right away. Dedicating this initial creation to his Sweet Sixteen, and began history into the miraculous creating domestic coral works of art such as chairs, beds, and tables, all weighing several tons a piece.
Although it has been said that no one ever saw Edward Leedskalnin working, there are several pictures that can be seen that show Ed at work apparently using enormous tripods with a black box attached to the top of them. Enormous pulleys seem to be aiding in the excavation of the Coral at the Homestead site. Unfortunately, researchers such as Christopher Dunn have shown that based upon the photographic evidence, and the primitive tools left behind which can be seen at the Coral Castle today, there is no way that this is the answer to the 1100 ton question.
One of Ed's greatest creations is a single piece of coral called the Obelisk which weighs nearly 30 tons, stands 40 feet above the ground, and rests in the 6 foot deep hole. Today, modern engineers and modern equipment would be unable to duplicate what Ed was able to do with simple tools over 70 years ago. His secrets died with him in Miami in 1951, secrets that still puzzle modern engineers today.
Therefore, despite his nearly fatal illness, Ed arose from the ashes of his previous life and created the amazing structure that tens of thousands of people visit each and every year. It is well worth taking the time to visit and admire this amazing coral structure created by one man's devotion and love to a woman that did not love him.
Going against all odds, and coming back from a disease that almost killed him, Edward Leedskalnin has created one of the most amazing megalithic structures in the modern world. Although the Coral Castle is a tourist attraction today, just 30 miles south of Miami, is much more than a sideshow attraction. Ed Leedskalnin said that he knew the secrets of the pyramids. Sadly, Ed died with his secrets still in him but fortunately for all of us a legacy of his life is still available in South Florida today. If you are ever in the Miami area, check out the Coral Castle. You will be amazed and astounded by what one man, Edward Leedskalnin, was able to do.
About the Author Michael Kohler has been investigating megalithic structures for several years and has written an amazing ebook on the Coral Castle. For a limited time, you can get the first 5 chapters of his ebook by visiting the Coral Castle Explained.
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