0MB No. 1024-0018
Exp. 10-31-84

NPS Form 10-900(3*2)

United States Department off the Interior

National Park Service

National Register of Historic Places
Inventory— Nomination Form
See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms
Type all entries—complete applicable sections_______________

1. Name__________________
historic Rock Gate ^(Ed'sPlace)———————————————————————————————————————————————
and/or common ( Coral Castle^_________________________

2. Location
28655 Se«*h Federal

street & number

city, town Homesteadstate]} ] c ,not for publication
N/A__ vicinity of

Floridacode

county

12

Dade

code

025

3. Classification
Categoryx districtbuilding(s)structure__ siteobjectOwnership
publicx private
both
Public Acquisition
in process
being considered
N/A

Statusx occupied
unoccupied
work in progress
Accessible
yes: restricted
x yes: unrestricted
noPresent Use
agriculturecommercial
educationalx entertainment
government
industrial
military

museumpark
private residence
religious
scientifictransportation_x_ other: Tourist Artracxtion

4. Owner of Property
nameIrving Barrstreet & number
city, town

180 East Pearson

Chicagovicinity ofstate

Illinois

state

Florida5. Location of Legal Description
courthouse, registry of deeds, etc.

Dade County Courthousestreet & number

73 West Flagler Street

city, town

Miami

6. Representation in Existing Surveys
title Dade County Historic Survey

has this property been determined eligible?

date August 1981

federal__ state__ yes ^_ nocounty __ local

depository for survey records F i Qr jda Division of Archives

city, town

Tallahassee

state

Florida7. Description
Conditionx

excellent
good

deteriorated

fair

unexposed

ruins

Check onex unalteredalteredCheck oneoriginal site
X

movPd

datP

1937

Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Rock Gate or Coral Castle is an open-air sculpture garden made up of mammouth oolitic
limestone sculptures. The compound was constructed in two phases beginning in 1923. A
number of the sculptures in the garden were assembled at the Florida City location but weremoved to their present site in 1937. The remaining sculptures were fabricated at the present
site. Better known as Coral Castle today, the garden is preserved as a tourist attraction
and stands as a tribute to its creator and the amazing capacity of the human imagination.
Coral Castle, originally known as Rock Gate or Ed's Place, was once located southwestof Florida City. The complex, which was laid out on about an acre of land, consisted of aperimeter wall, a two-story structure which served as living quarters and workshop, and anumber of monolithic oolitic limestone sculptures scattered about the enclosed space. In
1937, Edward Leedskalnin, Coral Castle's creator, decided to move to a new location andinsisted on taking his rock masterpiece with him. At Ed's Place, Leedskalnin only left
behind the structures of a permanent nature, removing all but one of the free-standing
sculptures in his garden.
-...',
Edward Leedskalnin relocated north of Homestead on U.S. 1 and named his new home RockGate. Here, from rock quarried on the property, he recreated the perimeter wall and thetwo-story structure. This time, however, the complex was spread out on approximately threeacres of land, thus necessitating a more formidable perimeter wall and living quarters/
workshop structure than that at the Florida City location.
Apart from being of larger dimensions, the perimeter wall at Rock Gate was embellishedwith a nine ton gate, one of Edward Leedskalnin's most remarkable creations. The gate is
81 inches wide, 92 inches tall and 21 inches thick. It operates through a single pivotal
point and is so well balanced that by gently pushing, it swings open. The gate fitssnuggly into the wall, within one-quarter inch of each of its sides. The perimeter wall
was further adorned by the addition of several astronomical sculptures carved as part ofsome of the wall sections. The North perimeter wall was "crowned" by a thirty ton sculpture,
the heaviest oolitic block at Rock Gate.
The living quarters/workshop structure that Edward Leedskalnin rebuilt at Rock Gate
was larger in scale than that at his former location. It also 'differs in that the castellated tower structure is truly two-storied. Leedskalnin used the ground floor of thestructure as his workshop and the upper story as his dwellirig. ' At Florida City, Leedskalnin's
living quarters were also located on the second story of a turret-like structure. The
first story of this earlier building, however, was unusable space as a result of the unusually
thick walls. Leedskalnin's one-story workshop was attached to his living quarters. At
Rock Gate, Leedskalnin improved upon the design of this dual use structure, making maximum
use of space.
Leedskalnin brought to Rock Gate the free-standing sculptures that he had created at
Florida City. In addition, he produced a few more, primarily of a practical nature or
relating to his interest in astronomy. Leedskalnin put all of these oolitic limestone constructions in his sculpture garden. The only sculpture that Leedskalnin left at Florida
City was an entrance gate to Ed's Place, incised with a "lOC" admission charge. Leedskalninprobably did not see any use for this sculpture, since at Rock Gate, the admission charge
was increased to twenty-five cents.
The sculptures at Rock Gate, now known as Coral Castle, are arranged in thematicgroupings. Starting at the main entrance door and proceeding clockwise the following isa description of Edward Leedskalnin's work:—Entrance Door is metal and on its surface the path of the earth around the sun isdrawn. Above the lintel of the door is a bell, taken from a Model T Ford.
—Three Ton Gate is located in front of the metal entrance door.
(See Continuation Sheet)

The gate is trangular8. Significance
Periodorehistoric_ 1400-1 499
1500-1599
1600-1699.1700-1799
1800-1899
X
1900-

Areas of Significance—Check and justify below
archeology-prehistoriccommunity planningarcheology-historicconservation
agriculture
economics
Architecture
education
X art
X engineeringcommerce
exploration/settlement
communicationsindustry
invention

Specific dates i92 0s-1930s

Builder/Architect

landscape architecturelaw

literature
militarymusicphilosophy
politics/governmentx

religionsciencesculpturesocial/humanitarian
theatertransportation
other (specify)

Edward LeedskalninStatement of Significance (in one paragraph)

Coral Castle is a spectacular rock sculpture garden located in extreme southern
Dade County, Florida. The complex, which consists of monolithic limestone sculptures
weighing up to 30 tons each, was assembled during the 1920s and 1930s by a single individual,
Edward Leedskalnin. The nationally recognized site was the monument Leedskalnin dedicatedto his lifetime passions: hard work, astronomic and engineering experimentation andhis lost love.
Edward Leedskalnin was born in Metei, Latvia, one of the Baltic countries, in 1887.
By the age of 26, he was engaged to Agnes Scuff who was ten years his junior. Shortly
before Agnes and Edward were to be married, the wedding was called off by the bride.
Agnes' reason for not wanting to marry Edward was that she had come to realize that hewas too old for her. Edward believed that Agnes' real reason was that he was poor.
Dejected, Leedskalnin emigrated to Canada, believing that in the New World, the land ofopportunity, he could become successful and wealthy and win back Agnes's admiration andlove. In pursuit of this goal, Leedskalnin moved frequently, working at a variety ofjobs. After living in Canada, Leedskalnin moved to the State of Washington to workin a lumber camp. There, his health, which had always been of a delicate nature, began
to deteriorate. A doctor recommended that Leedskalnin move to a warmer state, either
California or Florida. Leedskalnin chose San Francisco, a chilly city, where his healthcontinued to grow worse. However., ; in San.Francisco, Leedskalnin met.a.rancher who promised
to pay his fare to south Florida in exchange for helping him with a cattle drive to Texas.
Leedskalnin accepted the offer.
..--.. •Leedskalnin arrived in Florida City in the early 1920s. Although he was a shy man,
he soon befriended Ruben and Francis Moser who took him in while he regained his health.
In 1923, the Mosers sold Leedskalnin an acre of land located southwest of Florida City
for $12.00.3 The ground,on the property was composed of oolitic limestone popularly
known as coral rock. There, Leedskalnin began what was to become his life's work andobsession.
At the Florida City property, Leedskalnin first built a simple wood shed as his home
and then proceeded to make his rock creations. Much myth and folklore surround Leedskalnin's
work at what came to be known as "Ed's Place." Unaided, Leedskalnin quarried, sculpted
and erected mammoth pieces of oolitic limestone rock, most weighing several tons. The
sculptures were an enigma, further compounded by Leedskalnin's secretive ways of working
alone and at night.
Leedskalnin's rock sculptures can be classified into two categories: domestic andastromonical. Both subjects are central preoccupations of Leedskalnin's life. The domestic
sculptures relate to Leedskalnin's yearning for Agnes, his "Sweet Sixteen." They include
household furniture such as tables, chairs and couches, arranged in domestic settings - adining room, a sitting room, and even a bedroom. These sculptures demonstrate Leedskalnin's
desire for a family life, a desire which he was never able to fulfill for he remained
single and led a solitary life. Leedskalnin's astronomical sculptures include monolithsof Saturn, Mars and the waxing and waning moon. These sculptures reflect Leedskalnin's
interest in the scientific world, particularly,,in Lthe fields of astronomy, physics, andengineering.
(See Continuation Sheet)9. Major Bibliographical References(See Continuation Sheet)

10. Geographical Data
Acreage of nominated property
3 acres_____
Quadrangle name Goulds_________

Quadrangle scale 1:24,000

UTM References
A | li 7J IslSiSlOiOiOl
Zone
Easting| 21812101218,01
NorthingClIi

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Zone

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Gl.

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,11

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Verbal boundary description and justification

.

I
....

i

Beginning 250' N of SW corner of SW^ of SW3* of mk continue N 145 ft. NELY ALG SELY
R/W/L SR#5. This area includes all .significant properties.
,
List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries

state

N/A_______________code

N/A

countyN/A______________code

N/A

state

N/A

N/A

county

N/A

N/A

code

code

11. Form Prepared By
name/title Maria Temkin/Michael Zimny, Historic Sites Specialist
organization Florida Division of Archives

date April 2, 1984

street & number

telephonecity or town

The Capitol

Tallahassee

state(904) 487-2333-

Florida12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification
The evaluated significance of this property within the state is:national._ statex

local

As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for- the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certifyjtbajt it has been evaluatedaccording to the criteria and procedures set forth by tj>e National Park Service.
State Historic Preservation Officer signature

title

/

6>

*s

$£><

George W. Percy, State Historic Preservation Officer

C/
date

L

NPS Form 10-»00-«(M2)

OMB No. 1024-OO18
Exp 10-31-84

United States Department of the Interior

National Park Service

For NI>S its* only

National Register of Historic Places
Inventory—Nomination Form
Continuation sheet

pne________________Item numberin shape and weighs 6,000 pounds.
ground, the gate easily revolves.

7____________Page

i_____

Balanced on the axle of a Model T Ford from the—Reading Chairs are three in number and are arranged in a manner that takes advantage
of appropriate reading light, according to the time of day. They weigh 4,000 pounds
each and are able to rock.
—Florida Table is a sculpture executed in the shape of the State of Florida. A
depression in the table which was meant to be used as either a finger bowl or apunch bowl represents Lake Okeechobee. Twelve chairs, each weighing 1,000 pounds,
are placed around the table. Leedskalnin envisioned their use for meetings ofthe Governor and his cabinet.
—Polaris Telescope is made up of two parts. An upright, oolitic limestone slab,
weighing 40 , 000 pounds and standing 25 feet tall, is located just outside of Coral
Castle's perimeter wall. A circular hole carved at the upper end of this slab isintersected by two cross wires. These wires line up with a smaller hole drilled
into the perimeter wall itself. Through this ingenious apparatus, the North Star
can be observed.
—Moon Fountain consists of three pieces. It represents the phases of the moon throughits monthly cycle. The waxing moon is located to the left of the fountain, thewaning moon to the right. Each of these quarter moons weigh 36,000 pounds. The
fountain itself represents the full moon and weighs 46,000 pounds. The moon fountaincan be filled with water and be used as a pond, inhabited by fish and plants.
—Throne Room is made up a number of components. The "room" includes four thrones - alarge one (for Leedskalnin), a medium one (for his "Sweet Sixteen"), a small one(for a child) and an "uncomfortable" one (for Leedskalnin's mother-in-law). In
this area, there is also a "mad" rocker made of a single block of rock. The rocker
seats two, but the seats do not face each other. The rocker is supposed to be used
when a couple is quarrelling. The Throne Room also contains a love seat and a tablefor when the couple reconciles.
—Planets form part of Coral Castle's perimeter wall, located behind the Throne Room.
There is a sculpture of Mars weighing 36,000 pounds, a sculpture of Saturn also
weighing 36,000 pounds and a moon crescent weighing 46,000 pounds. The Nine Ton
Gate described previously is situated on the wall adjacent to the planets.
—Bedroom includes an entire suite of rock furniture. There are a couple of twin
beds, a couple of children's beds, a 155 pound rocking cradle, and an 85 poundchild's rocking chair.
—Obelisk is placed at the far corner of the bedroom. The obelisk stands 40 feethigh and weighs 57,000 pounds. Its apex is carved in the shape of a six pointed
star on top of which is a weather vane. The obelisk is inscribed: "Made in 1928.
Moved in 1939. Born 1887. Latvia, E.L."—Repentance Corner is located next to the bedroom.
(See Continuation Sheet)This is a rock contraption

NPS Form 10-900-.

OMB No. 1024-0018
Exp 1O-31-84

United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service

National Register of Historic Places
Inventory— Nomination Form
Continuation sheet

TWO_______________

Item number

7

Page 2that Leedskalnin would have used to punish his wife or children. A person's head
would be inserted into a vertical slit perforated in a rock slab, the head would
then be lowered all the way to the ground where it would be secured by a wooden
wedge. A bench where Leedskalnin could sit to talk to the wrongdoers is also
provided.
—Barbecue lies behind the Repentance Corner. This is another of Leeidskalnin' s
ingenious inventions. The barbecue pit itself is made of oolitic limestone.
The cooking portion of the barbecue is fashioned from old car parts and works
as a pressure cooker.
—Feast of Love Table is situated across from the barbecue pit and is heart-shaped.
The table features a heart-shaped indentation at its center used as a vase for abouquet of flowers. The table weighs 5,000 pounds and is surrounded by benches.
—Children's Playground is based on the theme of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears. "This area includes several beds and chairs and even a porridge bowl, as in thechildren's story. In the same area, there is a "tree table," a piece of oolitic
limestone in which a tree was growing, found by Leedskalnin. The palm treepresently planted in the table is not the original plant.
—First Rocking Chair is placed on a raised platform. It was Leedskalnin's firstattempt at constructing a rocking chair and is displayed prominently, as a showpiece,—Sundial is another of Leedskalnin's astronomical creations. The sundail functions
accurately, within one or two minutes. It is only marked from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,what Leedskalnin believed working hours should be. The sundail also serves to markthe seasons.
—Sun Coach is a large, 8 foot diameter;circular rock which rotates in order tomake use of the best sun for tanning. The coach is provided with three rock pillows,—Well is opened by a rolling stone wheel gate. At the bottom of several steps
there is room to sit to cool off or space to store food. It was Leedskalnin 1 ssource of water.
—Tub is located near the well, used by Leedskalnin for bathing. It is lined in
mortar to prevent water from seeping out of the porous rock material. Leedskalninwould fill the tub with water, let the water stand to heat by the sun, and, once
warm, would take a bath. Next to the tub, Leedskalnin placed a mirror which ismade of black slate covered by water, provide a reflective surface.
—Camera Stand is located at the center of the Coral Castle compound. The standfunctions as a tripod from which photographs of different vistas of Coral Castle
can be taken.
—Perimeter Wall surrounds the entire Coral Castle complex. Each of the limestone
blocks that make up the wall is 8 feet high, 4 feet wide, 3 feet thick, and weighs
several tons.
(See Continuation Sheet)

NPS^onmO.,00..

gfJKSi-0*18•; ^-^

United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service|||jj&Ji^jjjji-.

National Register of Historic Places
Inventory—Nomination Form
Continuation sheet

Three____________Item number

7____________Page

3_____—Pits are located outside of the perimeter wall, as visible evidence of the rockquarries from which Leedskalnin obtained his .raw material.
In order to function as a tourist attraction, several additions and improvements
have been made at Coral Castle. Outside the perimeter wall is a modern limestone structure
which houses the gift shop and administrative offices of Coral Castle. The building
was erected in 1982, replacing a wodden structure that had been used for the same purpose.
It is unobtrusive in design and its location does not visually disrupt the view of Coral
Castle. Adjacent to this functional building is a parking lot, recently repaved. Within
the perimeter wall, in the sculpture garden, the owner and the manager of Coral Castle
are currently planning the addition of lights. They would like to make greater useof Coral Castle at night, thus necessitating better lighting. The lights being proposed
for installation are modern and unobtrusive in design and would be placed at inconspicuous
spots. As a locally designated site, these additions and improvements made to Coral Castle
since 1981 have been reviewed and approved by Dade County's Historic Preservation Board.
Unimproved grounds, preserved as green space, surround Coral Castle.

NPS Form 10-900-a<M2)

OMB No 1024-OO18
Exp 10-31-84

United States Department of the Interior

National Park Service

National Register off Historic Places
Inventory—Nomination Form
Continuation sheet

F0ur________________Item number 8____________Page

1_____

Local residents and neighbors wondered how Leedskalnin was able to build and set
upright the rock formations which continued to appear on his property. Leedskalnin
always gave the same reply to these queries. He explained that he accomplished thework through his comprehension of the methods used by the pramid builders, the practicalknowledge of the laws of leverage and weight. The tools used by Leedskalnin in quarringand sculpting the coral rock were fashioned from old car parts. As evidence, Leedskalnin's
primitive tools are on display at Coral Castle with a note explaining how with "an uncanny
knowledge of the laws of leverage and balance, engineering and sculpture, and with theaid of simple tools such as metal fall (block and tackle), rollers, jacks, wedges,
slings, cables, sledges, chisels, and above all infinite patience and tremendous imagination, 1
Leedskalnin was able to create the unique rock sculptures.
The public, however, was not satisfied with this ordinary account of Leedskalnin's
construction methods. Many theories evolved as to how Leedskalnin was able to execute
his rock works. Some claimed that Leedskalnin had received aid from extraterrestials,
others that he had discovered the secrets of gravitational force enabling him to render
the mammoth rocks weightless.
Leedskalnin was a thrifty and frugal man, subsisting on the bare essentials. His
diet consisted of vegetables and fruit which he grew on his property. Occasionally, hewould eat a-rabbit which he trapped. From scrap and junk piles, Leedskalnin would salvage
waste materials and manufacture them into utilitarian objects. It is said that Leedskalnin
also received some income from dividends of stocks he purchased in California. When "Ed'sPlace" began drawing attention and receiving publicity, Leedskalnin decided to take advantageof the commercial angle of his obsession, conducting tours for a small fee, thus augumenting
his earnings.
In 1936, Leedskalnin published a booklet entitled "A Book In Every Home." It deals
with thbee subjects: Ed's Sweet Sixteen, Domestic and Political Views. In 1945, he published two scientific treatises. One, entitled "Magnetic Current," is about the scientificprinciples of magnets and electricity. The other, entitled "Mineral, Vegetable and Animal
Life," is about a perpetual motion apparatus. Although Leedskalnin had only a fourth
grade education, his publications are knowledgeable and well written. Alone, he hadtaught himself the practical laws of nature which he readily applied to the creation of
his oolitic limestone constructions. The sale of publications constituted another sourceof income.
In 1937, Leedskalnin decided to move. Several reasons have been given for this suddenchange, after being established in one area for so long. One reason may have been that hedepleted his coral rock supply. Another is that Leeskalnin was unhappy about encroachingdevelopment. His desire to move was further precipitated by a violent incident in which
Leedskalnin was mugged, based on rumors that his life savings were hidden somewhere on
the grounds of "Ed's Place." Perhaps, Leedskalnin's move can be attributed to practicalconsiderations. Leedskalnin's subsequent actions seem to indicate that he wanted tocapitalize on "Ed's Place" which had by this time become a popular and successful operation.
Leedskalnin purchased a ten acre tract on South Federal Highway (U.S. 1) and announced
that he would moving there and taking his sculptures with him. He sought the aid of anarea resident, Bob Biggers, to accomplish the awesome task. All Edward Leedskalnin wanted(See Continuation Sheet)&** "° 1024-OO18
Exp 10-31-84

NPS Form 10-900-.

United States Department of the Interior

National Park Service

National Register of Historic Places
Inventory— Nomination Form
Continuation sheet

Five________________Item number 8

Page

2

from Mr. Diggers, however, was the use of his truck. The move to the new site was done
over an extended period of time, but it was completed by Leedskalnin without any assistance.
As with the construction of the coral rock monuments, Leedskalnin worked alone and atnight loading and unloading Biggers ' truck.
At the new location, Edward Leedskalnin recreated his Florida City sculpture garden,
spreading it out upon approximately three acres of land. Leedskalnin did not leave anyof the free-standing sculptures at the Florida City location, except for an upright slab
topped by a carving of a six pointed star. This monolith was used as an admission gate
and on its face the words "Adm. 10£ Drop Below" are incised. Leedskalnin probably reasoned
that he had no further use for this gate since at "Rock Gate," what he named his new
home, Leedskalnin increased the admission price to twenty-five cents. The shy reclusive
man took residence on the only artery connecting the South Florida mainland with theFlorida Keys. Drivers could now see him reclining on his sculpted crescent moon, setatop the perimeter wall, waving to passersby. Visitors were attracted, and Ed seemed
to like the attention.
Leedskalnin did not dismantle the perimeter wall at "Ed's Place," nor, his two-story
living quarters and workshop. These more permanent structures he rebuilt from rockquarried on his new premises. Although abandoned and much overgrown, evidence of the walland two-story structure still remains at the Florida City site.
At Rock Gate, Leedskalnin continued the same lifestyle he had set for himself at
Florida City. He made few additions to his collection of rock sculptures, dedicating
most of his time to scientific experimentation. The few added creations were either ofa practical nature or were related to his astronomical interests. Leedskalnin carved abathtub out of coral rock and lined it with mortar so that the water would not seep out ofthe porous material. Near the bathtub, he dug a well, his water source. Leedskalnin
also created a coral rock barbecue which functioned like a pressure cooker. His new
astronomical works include a sundial, accurate within a minute, and a Polaris telescope.
Rock Gate's perimeter wall was unlike that of Ed's Place in that it included a nine
ton moveable gate. This gate is considered to one of Leedskalnin 's most remarkableprojects. This oolitic limestone "door" measures 81 inches in width, 92 inches in heightand 21 inches in thickness. Its single pivotal point operates through a central verticalshaft with an automobile axle that connects the stone slab to the ground and the wall
lintel overhead. This gate is so well balanced that it can be pushed open with one
finger. The gate fits within one-quarter inch of the perimeter wall on both sides.
On December 4, 1951, Leedskalnin felt ill. He wrote a note stating, "Going to thehospital," and left it at the entrance of his home. Three days later, at the age of
sixty-four, Edward Leedskalnin died of stomach cancer at Jackson Memorial Hospital in
Miami .
Leedskalnin left no will. His only known survivor, a nephew, was not interested in
the property. In 1953, Julius Levin, a Chicago businessman, purchased Rock Gate throughprobate court. Levin saw the tremendous potential of the property as a tourist attraction
and shortly thereafter opened it to the public as Coral Castle.
Speculative theories relating to Leedskalnin 1 s methods of construction and to his
motives for constructing the rock wonderland continued to proliferate.
Levin, who feltthat these outrageous interpretations would tarnish Leedskalnin 's reputation and discredit(See Continuation Sheet)United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service

National Register of Historic Places
Inventory—Nomination Form
Continuation sheetsix______________Item number

8____________Page

3_____

his lifework, took action. In 1955, he collected over 250 affidavits from Homestead area
residents who had been acquainted with Edward Leedskalnin. The affiants testified thathe/she "personally knew the late Edward Leedskalnin, and from actual knowledge could
attest to the fact that the said Edward Leedskalnin began the construction of Rock Gate
at a location in Florida City, Florida, on or about the year 1921, and subsequently moved
some of the objects to its present location and continued the work until his death inDecember 1951; that he cut from the ground, moved and carved the huge weights of coralrock into the art creation known as Rock Gate without the aid of any individual or individuals; with simple hand tools; observed by the affiant on visits to Rock Gate while Edward
Leedskalnin was alive, and in the process of constructing Rock Gate; and that the said
Edward Leedskalnin was unmarried and lived alone on the premises during the period of theconstruction of Rock Gate and until his death."
Although Julius Levin never met Leedskalnin and could not ascertain Leedskalnin's
motives or methodology, he sincerely believes the words written by Leedskalnin on a signthat appears at the entrance to Coral Castle. It simply states, "You Will Be Seeing
Unusual Accomplishment." Today, Coral Castle continues to operate as a tourist attraction.
Its present owner, Irving Barr, is a cousin of Julius Levin. In January, 1982, the DadeCounty Historic Preservation Board designated Coral Castle a local historic landmark,thus recognizing the magnificent and unique engineering and artistic accomplishmentsof its creator, Edward Leedskalnin.
FOOTNOTES

Inscription incised on obelisk in Coral Castle's sculpture garden.
*2

Agnes' last name also appears in the literature of Coral Castle as "Skuvst."
Dade County, FL.

Recorder's Office, Deed Book 1546, p. 8.

4Dade County, FL.

Recorder's Office, Deed Book 1802, p. 22.

5 "Ed's Place" at Florida City was located at 18900 S.W. 352nd Street.
6Fred Graham, "A Monumental Feat Accomplished by One Man," and Jim Moseley, Book
of Saucer News, Saucerian Publications, 1967.

NPS Form 10-900-a
P-«2)

OMB No. 1024-0018
Exp 10-31-84

United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service

National Register of Historic Places
Inventory—Nomination Form
Continuation sheet Seven_________________Item number Q____________Page 1____Affidavits, Notarized by Bodil K. Lowe, Spring, 1955.
Ash, Agnes.

"The Little Man Who Moved Mountains"

The Miami News, February 13, 1966.

"Coral Castle," Designation Report, Dade County Historic Preservation Board, December,
1981.
"Coral Castle," English Tour Guide (brochure).
"Coral Castle," Site Inventory Form, Dade County Historic Survey.
"Coral Castle Is 20th Century Wonder""Coral Castle:

Thirty Years Work"

St. Augustine Record, June,- 1974.

The Chicago Tribune, reprinted by the Keyes Co.

Dade County, FL. Recorder's Office, Deed Abstract Book 1546, p. 8.
Dade County, FL. Recorder's Office, Deed Abstract Book 1802, p. 22.
Dade County, FL. Recorder's Office, Deed Abstract Book 2287, p. 173.
Dade County, FL. Recorder's Office, Deed Abstract Book 10993, p. 1241.
Dade County, FL. Recorder's Office, Plat Book Volume 6, p. 21.
"Ed Is Doing A Colossal Job of Moving But He Wants No Help, Thank You" Newspaper
article, August, 1939.
Glass, lan . "Roses are Red, Coral is Gray, Heart's Heavy - - 3 Tons Anyway"
News, February 14, 1973.

The Miami

Graham, Fred , "A Monumental Feat Accomplished by One Man."
Jinks, William, "How One Man's Love Turned to Stone"
Magazine, May 14, 1972.
Kofoed, William. "Wizard of Coral Castle"

The Miami Herald, Tropic

Coronet, February, 1958.

Lake, Carroll. Civil Engineering Magazine, 1958.
Leekskalnin, Edward. A Book in Every Home
Homestead, FL., 1936.
Leedskalnin, Edward, Magnetic Current
1945.

Privately published by Edward Leedskalnin,

The Franklin Press, Inc., Miami, FL., August,(See Continuation Sheet)

NPS Form 10-900-i(M2)

OMB No. 1024-0018
Exp. 10-31-84

United States Department of the Interior

National Park Service

National Register off Historic Places
Inventory—Nomination Form
Continuation sheet

Eight________________Item number

9____________Page 2

Leedskalnin, Edward. Mineral Vegetable and Animal Life
Miami, FL., October, 1945.

The Franklin Press, Inc.,

Liss, Robert, "Coral Castle:
May 19, 1978.

One Man's Wonder of the World"

Moseley, Jim. Book of Saucer News

The Miami Herald,

Saucerian Publications, 1967.

"Mr. Real Estate Man - Look Over Ed's Place and See the Possibility of Making Money"
Newspaper article, January 3, 1932.
Murphy, Pat , "Labor of Unfilled Love"

The Miami Herald, March 21, 1954.

Pinkerton, Pat. 1!A Loner's Strange World of Rock"Aloft, Summer, 1968.

Thompson, Lawrence. "Coral Marvel Baffles the Best Engineers"
May 15, 1958.

The Miami Herald,

Wardlow,
Jean,"The Lonely
SundayMagazine,
April Philosopher
22, 1962. of Florida's Stone Castle"
Whited, Charles. "A Monument to Sweetheart"

The Miami Herald,———————————The Miami Herald, June 15, 1973.

Willson, Elizabeth* "S. Dade History Found in a Castle, 2 Houses"
Neighbors Section, November 12, 1981.

The Miami Herald,

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK SERVICEREQUESTED ACTION:
PROPERTYNAME:

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION

Coral Castle

MULTIPLE
NAME:
STATE & COUNTY:FLORIDA, Dade

DATE RECEIVED:
2/23/11
DATE OF 16TH DAY:DATE OF WEEKLY LIST:REFERENCE NUMBER:DATE OF PENDING LIST:DATE OF 45TH DAY:

4/10/11

84000840

NOMINATOR: STATEREASONS FOR REVIEW:
APPEAL: N
OTHER:N
REQUEST: N

DATA PROBLEM: N
PDIL:
NSAMPLE:N

COMMENT WAIVER:__ACCEPTLANDSCAPE: N
PERIOD:NSLR DRAFT: N

LESS THAN 50 YEARS:PROGRAM UNAPPROVED:
NATIONAL:

N__RETURNREJECTDATEABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS:

Additional Documentation Approved

RECOM./CRLT^ERJA
REVIEWER

DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N
If a nomination is returned to the nominating authority, thenomination is no longer under consideration by the NPS.

NNN

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Kurt S. Browning
Secretary of StateDIVISION OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES

February 16, 2011

Ms. Carol Shull, Keeper
National Register of Historic Places
Department of Interior
1201 Eye Street, N.W., 8th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20005
Dear Ms. Shull:Rock Gate, located in Homestead, Miami-Dade County, Florida, was listed in the
National Register on May 10, 1984. Because the site is not known by this name, theowner has requested that the property's official National Register listing name be changed
to Coral Castle, the name by which it is commonly known. Coral Castle was given as thesecondary name on the nomination. Our office concurs that the name should be changed
as requested.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (850) 245-6364 if you have any questions or
require any additional information. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
Barbara E. Mattick, Ph.D.
Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
for Survey & Registration

500 S. Bronough Street • Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250 • http://www.flheritage.com
d Director's Office(850) 245-6300 -FAX: 245-6436

O Archaeological Researchn Historic Preservation(850) 245-6444 'FAX: 245-6436(850) 245-6333 *FAX: 245-6437