The Mystery of Coral Castle in Homestead, Florida

How do we make testament to our undying love for someone? How do we let them know that our heart will forever be theirs, unable to break away? Do we write them a sonnet, grow the reddest rose, or perhaps we are to suffer in silence from our aching hearts?

In the early 1920's, a man named Ed Leedskalnin was left by his fiancé (whom he affectionately nick named his 'sweet sixteen') Agnes Scuffs the day before their wedding. Leedskalnin became another to suffer desperately from a broken heart. Like so many, he wanted to make a tribute to this love, something lasting, something wonderful and impressive, perhaps something that would call that love back to him.

Many a man has been known to build a house for his beloved with his own two hands, but Ed Leedskalnin took this devotion a step farther, and baffled the world.

For twenty eight years, almost three decades, Leedskalnin worked on his tribute to his lost love, an intricate, and stunning castle.

What makes this castle built for love so amazing, so baffling is how the castle was built, and what it was built of.

Leedskalnin was a one hundred pound man, standing about five feet tall (and some change), not a large man, so how did he manage to move TONS of coral, allegedly, alone?

Since Leedskalnin had opened the castle to the public (which he had named Rock Gate Park, but which was later changed to 'Coral Castle' by the new owners) charging .10 admission, people have been baffled by this amazing feat.

No one was said to know how he built this tribute, as no one was said to have seen him build it. He allegedly worked on the castle only at night, with some of the coral being up to 4,000 feet thick! No one even saw him load, or unload these huge pieces of coral (remember, each weighing several tons). However, we do know HOW they were moved from location to location, as he recruited a friend with a tractor and trailer to do that job.

The only answer he would give in response to the inevitable question of how was a vague declaration of 'sweet sixteen,' and that he knew the secrets of the pyramids. An amazing statement that have scientists, and curious tourists, hungry for the truth behind these walls.

People have speculated on this feat since it's first appearance claiming everything from aliens to magic. So what did Leedskalnin know that we didn't? Perhaps Miss Agnes Scuffs, his Sweet Sixteen knew something of his truth, something which, perhaps, would have scared the young bride off. She certainly did not return to him despite his spectacular show of affection.

Another point of interest in this mysterious castle is the gate leading you in. Not a mere ornate decorative gate, this gate is a piece of nine TON coral, which had been perfectly balanced, he had found it's center of gravity, you could open this nine ton gate open with your fingers!

Did Leedskalnin know the secrets of the great pyramids, Stone Henge - all of those mysteries which have baffled millions of people for centuries? How did one man unearth these answers, how did he apply them, why wouldn't he share them? Why did he merely taunt onlookers with a show, and silence? Is it a coincidence that there is no concrete records of how these things were built? What would we be able to do with this knowledge today?

Needless to say, Coral Castle is a modern intrigue which has thoroughly captured the attention of thousands. Perhaps someone will visit, and will see the answers which have alluded so many for so long, perhaps someday, we will understand how love moved one man to accomplish great things.

For more details about this marvel, visit this link - it's very informative and it goes into this creation with more detail then I have space for.

Sources:

http://www.coralcastle.com/biography.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_Castle