The Barnacle Historic State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Barnacle Historic State Park |
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The Barnacle, built in 1891 by Commodore Ralph Munroe
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 The Barnacle Historic State Park
Location in Florida
The Barnacle Historic State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida, United States |
| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Created | 1973 |
| Governing body | Florida State Parks |
| Website | The Barnacle Historic State Park |
The Barnacle Historic State Park is a special 5-acre (2.0 ha) park in Miami, Florida. It is located in the beautiful Coconut Grove neighborhood. This park is a part of the Florida State Parks system.
The Barnacle house was built in 1891. It is the oldest house in Miami-Dade County that is still in its original spot. This historic home belonged to Ralph Middleton Munroe. He was one of the people who helped start Coconut Grove. He also founded the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club and was known as "Commodore" Munroe. He was a talented designer of yachts, which are sailing boats.
In 1973, the Florida Park Service bought the 5 acres (20,000 m2) that remained of Munroe's original 40-acre (160,000 m2) property. Today, you can visit this park to learn about its history. You can reach The Barnacle Historic State Park by using the Miami Metrorail. The Douglas Road and Coconut Grove stations are nearby.
Contents
Discovering The Barnacle's Past
Ralph Middleton Munroe first visited South Florida in 1877. He was on vacation from New York City. He loved the area and decided to move there in 1887.
In 1886, Ralph Munroe bought 40 acres (160,000 m2) of land by the bay. He paid $400 and also traded one of his sailboats, the Kingfish. In 1887, he built a boathouse. He lived on its top floor while his main house was being built.
The main house was finished in 1891. It was a one-story building raised on wooden posts. The main room was shaped like an octagon. Munroe named his home "The Barnacle" because it looked like the sea creatures that stick to boats.
As his family grew, more space was needed. In 1908, the entire house was lifted up. A new first floor was then built underneath it. A library was added next to the house in 1912. The Barnacle has survived big storms, like the 1926 hurricane and Hurricane Andrew in 1992, with only minor damage.
Commodore Munroe's Love for Boats
Ralph Munroe's biggest passion was designing yachts. In the early days of Coconut Grove, boats were the main way to travel. Yachting was also a very popular sport. Many people in South Florida asked Munroe to design their boats.
In 1887, local residents started the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club. They chose Munroe as their Commodore. He held this important title for 22 years. During his life, he designed 56 different yachts!
One of his last boats, Micco, was at the park for many years. Sadly, Hurricane Andrew destroyed it. Today, a replica of another of Munroe's boats, the Egret, is moored offshore. It is a 28-foot (8.5 m) modified sharpie boat.
Exploring the Natural Surroundings
Commodore Munroe loved nature. He was a seaman, a community leader, a naturalist, and a photographer. He truly valued the natural world around him.
When you walk into the park, you pass through a tropical hardwood hammock. This is a type of forest with many different trees. It looks much like the original landscape of Miami. Today, it is one of the last remaining parts of the once-large Miami Hammock.
The First Regatta
In the spring of 1887, Ralph Munroe organized a boat race on Biscayne Bay. This race was called a regatta. Fifteen boats competed in three different groups. This event marked the beginning of organized water sports on the Bay. The "Washington's Birthday Regatta" became a regular event for the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club.
Key Moments in History
- 1873: A post office called Cocoanut Grove was started on the site.
- 1886: Ralph Munroe bought 40 acres (160,000 m2) of land for his home.
- 1887: The first Washington's Birthday Regatta was held. Ralph Munroe built his boathouse.
- 1891: Ralph Munroe built "The Barnacle" house.
- 1908: The house was lifted, and a new first floor was added.
- 1913: Electricity was added to the house, and a library was built.
- 1926: A hurricane destroyed the original boathouse. The house had only minor damage.
- 1928: Porches were enclosed, and the library and kitchen were made larger.
- 1933: Ralph Munroe passed away at age 82.
- 1973: The Munroe family sold the site to the State of Florida, creating the park.
- 1988: The Barnacle was used as a filming location for the finale of the TV show Miami Vice.
- 1992: Hurricane Andrew heavily damaged the boathouse. It also destroyed the Micco, one of Munroe's boats. The house itself had very minor damage.
- 1994: The park reopened to the public after hurricane repairs.
Fun Activities at The Barnacle
There are many fun things to do at The Barnacle Historic State Park. During the day, you can take a tour of the historic house and grounds. It's a great place for a picnic with friends or family. You can also enjoy watching for local wildlife.
The park often hosts concerts and other special events throughout the year. This makes it a popular spot to visit in Miami.
Finding The Barnacle Park
The park's entrance is on the northbound side of Main Highway. It is located between Abitare and The Cloister Townhomes.
There is no parking available inside the park itself. However, there is a public parking lot next to the Coconut Grove Playhouse. You can also find street parking in the surrounding neighborhood.
See also
In Spanish: Casa Ralph M. Munroe para niños
