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 is a structure that is made entirely of coral or more specifically make oolitic limestone. Built over a forty-year period, this amazing structure was designed and built by one man without the use of any modern tools. Ed Leedskalnin weighed about 100 pounds and stood a mere 5 feet tall. Though his work history would have made him a strong man, it is doubtful that even the strongest person, with knowledge of weights and measures, could have created what you will find in Homestead Florida.
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.
Using only primitive tools that can still be seen in what is called "Ed's Tool Room", the tour guides at the Coral Castle will show you around this amazing structure. Many of the guides have completely different opinions. Some of them think that Ed harnessed an energy or techniques that had been forgotten by the ancient Egyptians. Only after rediscovering what the pyramid builders of Egypt had known thousands of years ago did Ed have the capability of building one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
Ed was a simple man. He had wanted to start a family with Agnes Scuffs, his "Sweet Sixteen" that jilted him the day before their betrothal for one of many popularized reasons. Some say that she rejected Ed because he was too poor and could not support her needs. Other possibilities are that Ed was too old for Agnes, who was 10 years younger, or that he only had a fourth-grade education. Whatever the reason, this rejection set Ed on an epic journey that would lead him to create a structure that modern scientists cannot replicate today.
During his journeys, Ed Leedskalnin traveled throughout Canada, California, and eventually ended up in Texas. He worked in the lumber industry and also took part in cattle drives. The image of Ed is one of a rugged who would be able to tackle the greatest challenges. Unfortunately, his luck ran out after arriving in the state of 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.
Ed's belief in the American dream was strong. He believed that America was the land of opportunity and that through hard work and focus anyone could become successful. Using techniques that are not known today, Edward Leedskalnin began to build one of the most amazing megalithic structures of the world a mere 80 years ago using the coral under the topsoil of his new acre of land.
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.
What is even more miraculous is that except for a few pictures but Ed allowed to be taken of him, no one ever saw him working. To this day, no one knows how Edward Leedskalnin extracted, carved, moved, and positioned the coral artifacts that you can see today.
Today, the Coral Castle is under the radar. Without shows such as "In Search Of" with Leonard Nimoy or "That's incredible!" of the early 80s, the notoriety of the Coral Castle remains under the radar with notable exceptions such as radio talk shows like Coast to Coast AM with George Noory.
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.
It is literally only a 30 minute drive from Miami. Take an hour out of your day to not only see one of the most amazing tourist attractions in South Florida. You will not be disappointed and you will be left completely amazed.
About the Author:
Michael Kohler has investigated megalithic structures for over 2 decades 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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