7 Weird Landmarks in Florida You Should Visit

Thedailymiaminews– The Sunshine State’s allure is unmatched, making it one of the best states to visit. There are many different types of it in Florida, even if some cities encourage their residents to “keep the city weird.” It doesn’t need any corny slogans to draw in sun worshippers, as it is frequently said to as the strangest state in the Union.

The Spook Hill is one of the natural attractions that makes you question gravity. With springs, a state park, and access to the Gulf, the naughty monkeys have a place to live and play on their own island in the Homosassa River, drawing tourists to the already well-liked location. Welcome to Strange Florida, then. We begin, in no specific order, with a narrative of a man who etched away his sorrows of an unwavering love just outside of Miami.

The Coral Castle

With its enormous stone garden furniture and sculptures, the mysterious Coral Castle is the result of one man’s unwavering love and single labor. With 1,100 tons of chiseled rock, the castle is shrouded in mystery. Its creator, who was only slightly taller than 5 feet and weighed about 100 pounds, spent 28 years handcrafting it all. Today, you can discover the life of Edward Leedskalnin, who was born in Riga, Latvia, in 1887, and experience the delight of a heavy coral door swinging open so flawlessly. The 26-year-old man was devastated when Agnes Scuffs called off their wedding the day before.

Ed poured his emotions into this monument to lost love in an effort to go to Florida and put his troubles behind him. Ed would personally welcome guests to Coral Castle, which opened to the public in 1923, until his passing in 1951. As one of Florida’s most bizarre roadside attractions, the lingering mystery of how he constructed the Coral Castle himself with simple tools draws tourists from all across the state. Was it an old secret, the force of unwavering love, or divine intervention that gave him the strength? The secret is sealed by the architectural marvel on South Dixie Highway in Homestead, south of Miami.

Gatorama

What could be stranger or more valuable than carrying a real-life murderer in your palm? Hundreds of alligators, crocs, and other wildlife can be seen at the Gatorama in Palmdale, South Florida, for an up-close and personal encounter with these ancient animals. Gatorama, which was founded in 1957 before Disney in Florida in the early 1970s, is about two hours and change away from Miami or Orlando. Before traversing the lengthy boardwalk, purchase some gator feed and take in the vintage, country beauty. With swarms of gators and crocodiles hissing and grunting directly beneath it, demonstrating their love for the bag of crunchy snacks, it is open on both sides for photography. They get more eager and battle ferociously, if not a little clumsily, the more you have.

See also  Billionaire Ken Griffin, a donator to Harvard, stops contribution, calls Harvard students "Whiny Snowflakes"

On top of each, the contained smaller specimens sunbathe. This year, celebrate the 75th birthday of Goliath, the park’s oldest inhabitant who migrated from the main pond after killing too many crocs, and meet Salty, the saltwater croc! You can learn how to properly feed them from Big Gator Feed Show and events like the 18+ “Fast Hands or No Hands” Gator Feeding. Get anything ‘gator after that, including belts, wallets, and hides. In addition, Gatorama offers night excursions when alligator eyes glow in the dark, gator hatchings, and a festival.

The State Historic Site of Koreshan

A cult under Cyrus Reed’s leadership Teed was a believer in Koreshanity, or cellular cosmogony, which holds that the universe is a concave sphere. In 1894, he transported the faithful to Florida, creating a utopia that was relatively isolated from the outside world. The “Seven Sisters” oversaw day-to-day operations in the colony, and everyone continued to operate under the collectivist tenet. Teed passed away in 1908, but the colony continued until 1961. After the last four members of the cult transferred ownership to the state, it was transformed into a state park with public access to restored wooden structures from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, surrounded by a diverse range of international flora and trees. Camping is available in Koreshan State Park, which is situated in Estero at 3800 Corkscrew Road.

Cult or utopia? Decide on a walk along structures and innovations that are both functional and unique to the present world by visiting yourself. The utopian atmosphere is enhanced by trees like Japanese bamboo, African sausage, and everything in between. On your own, you can explore the grounds and visit the structure with the big sphere and one of the instruments they used to “prove” their theories. For you to understand the complete strange aspect of this little universe turned state park, a professional ranger on site can provide more understandable information in words that transcend descriptions.

The Spook Hill

There are a few odd locations around Lake Wales, but Spook Hill is the most mind-bending. One cannot not but be enchanted by this peculiar playground of physics’ laws and anti-laws, where perception and reality collide. Put your can in neutral and enjoy the trip up in reverse, feeling as though someone is pushing you from behind as you roll up. If you’re passing through the area, Spook Hill is a confusing sight to see with the whole family. It provokes curiosity and folklore in a steady stream of tourists, leading to Team Paranormal’s own questions and Team Optical Illusion’s claims that it’s a trick of the terrain.

You may practically enjoy the beautiful sight from the comfort of your seat, which is framed by lush trees. In April 2019, Florida’s sole known magnetic hill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The neighboring Bok Tower Gardens, created by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr., is another charming diversion from the norm. The 60-bell carillon of the 205-foot Gothic and Art Deco Carillon Tower amid a garden sanctuary fills the air with concert music. Take a tour of the historic Pinewood Estate after meandering among the flowers and greenery to the on-site café.

See also  Meta Introduces Upgraded Meta AI Assistant Across WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger

Miami Circle

In 1998, archaeologists searching for Indian artifacts at a building site intended for high-rise commercial development close to the Miami River mouth found the Miami Circle. They were adhering to the Florida Statute, which mandates that any historical remnants at a construction site must be examined. When County Archaeologist John Ricisak discovered what appeared to be midden piles and old refuse heaps among construction debris, he discovered that they were actually carved into limestone bedrock and were cultural artifacts belonging to the Glades (prehistoric southern Florida peoples prior to the Seminoles) and Tequesta (the region’s Native tribe from the third century BCE to the nineteenth century CE). It has 24 purposefully placed holes and well defined cardinal directions, all arranged in a perfect 38-foot circle.

The Tequesta Indians are said to have constructed it approximately 2,000 years ago, and it may have served as a sacrifice site or a primitive calendar. They also found ceramics, shells, bone, and stone items. Plans for construction were put on hold, and the site was rendered immobile. The 2.2-acre property was purchased by Florida for $26.7 million in 2000. The only known ancient structure carved into bedrock in the continental United States, “America’s Stonehenge,” was reburied in 2003 to safeguard it from the elements and was added to the National Register of Historic Places. With its circular landscaping and benches that serve as a buffer between the shore, high-rises, and the conserved excavation site, Miami Circle Park has been open to visitors since 2009. It offers stunning views of the water and serves as a reminder of the original Miami Circle.

The Island of Monkeys

This peculiar destination, “where monkeys go for bad behavior,” is for all of Homosassa’s wildlife enthusiasts. Boats would frequently crash against this unnoticed, easily ignored rock outcropping until developer G.A. “Furgy” Furgason had had enough. When Furgason returned from his business trip to Africa, his team was a bit too eager to follow instructions and threw “some” soil on the mound, creating an entire small island. Upstream, the optimist took care of his new animal attraction, now the Homosassa animal State Park, without missing a beat, adding a lighthouse and some flora. Dr. John Hamlet, a polio researcher, utilized a small troop of monkeys that were supposed to retire to his wildlife park. However, these specific priceless animals were particularly annoying escape artists.

It did not do well in a family-friendly park, stealing candy from children and biting guests’ hands, and Furgason was not having any of it. Now that he had a monkey-sized Alcatraz right up the stream in the shape of a small island, it was the ideal retreat where the monkeys could do as they pleased and tourists could find their actions funny in a safe environment without any consequences. Following some minor adjustments, harmony was restored between the beast-loving man and the primates who currently reside and play on “Monkey Island,” where the initial three spider monkeys and two squirrel monkeys were transported. The wildlife preserve now has air conditioning, as well as motels by the river, chalets for the best views, and Monkey Bar Restaurant. The primary attractions in the region with access to the Gulf are the river and the springs.

See also  Iowa troops deployed to the US-Mexico border to support Operation Lone Star

Haile Homestead, Historic

Gainesville is the setting for the tale of this final odd Florida attraction. This is where Thomas Evans and Serena Chesnut Haile relocated their family to the 1,500-acre cotton plantation they named Kanapaha on Sea Island in 1854. Enslaved artisans finished the 6,200-square-foot estate in 1856, making it one of the few antebellum houses still standing in the area. Today, visitors come to see the Talking Walls at the Historic Haile Homestead, which has been restored. On the unpainted walls and artwork in nearly every room, including the closets, Haile’s relatives and friends wrote more than 12,500 words. The cause of it is yet unknown. Was damaging their own house merely a strange habit?

You can discover more about the Haile family in the Music Room and the Parlor, as well as a more recent writing wall that was once coated in plaster. Upstairs in the Trunk Room, the earliest dated writing is the name of a young Benjamin from 1859, while the most expressive was written by guests at the family’s holiday celebration at the turn of the 20th century. Personal observations, visitor names, children’s growth charts, recipes, inventories, business records, and literature are examples of other writing. To get your own walls to talk, get some of the funniest or most realistic writing available. Information about the slaves at this and four other Haile plantations may be found in the Allen & Ethel Graham Visitors Center and Museum on-site.

The Sunshine State has a reputation for being a little strange—hello, Key West—and has drawn a lot of weirdos, utopians, and people looking to start their own lives for centuries. They have left behind some of Florida’s most peculiar landmarks, a reminder of their culture that can be millennia old, such as a park that once housed “America’s Stonehenge.”

From “Talking Walls” to Koreshans, test your understanding of physics and reality, confront hissing gators, and take in breathtaking vistas like Monkey Island. These seven are some of the most well-liked family-friendly spots to enjoy the Florida sun during your next trip or road trip, though there are plenty more.

Source

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *