Pinecrest, Monroe County, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pinecrest, Florida
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 Pinecrest, Monroe County, Florida
Location in Florida
Pinecrest, Monroe County, Florida
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Monroe |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
Pinecrest is a fascinating ghost town located in Monroe County, Florida, United States. A ghost town is a place that used to have people living there, but now it's mostly empty. Pinecrest is found within the Big Cypress National Preserve, along a road called Loop Road. It's about 6 miles (10 km) west of a spot known as Fortymile Bend.
History of Pinecrest
Pinecrest was quite far from Key West, which was the main city in Monroe County. Because it was so isolated, people who lived there often preferred to be away from busy city life. Many residents were involved in activities related to the Everglades, like hunting alligators, fishing, and catching frogs.
Over time, the area faced tough challenges. Strong hurricanes caused a lot of damage. Also, the Great Depression, a period of severe economic hardship in the 1930s, made life very difficult. These events led most people to leave Pinecrest, turning it into a ghost town.
However, one place, a saloon called the Gator Hook, managed to stay open for a long time. It finally closed in 1977. This happened when the National Park Service started working to remove private businesses from the Big Cypress area to protect the natural environment.
Where is Pinecrest?
Pinecrest is located at coordinates 25°44′49″N 80°56′24″W / 25.747°N 80.94°W. This means it's in a specific spot on the map. The elevation of Pinecrest is about 7 feet (2.1 meters) above sea level. This low elevation is typical for many areas in Florida, especially near the coast and wetlands.
