Jun 12, 2008 7:27 pm US/Eastern
Florida's Historic Past On The Endangered List
6 Of The 11 Endangered Sites Are In South Florida
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) ―
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The Coconut Grove Playhouse is among the 2008 "11 Most Endangered Historic Sites" according to the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.
CBS4 News
Parts of South Florida's historic past are in danger of becoming extinct.
The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation has announced their 2008 11 Most Endangered Historic Sites and 6 of those sites are in South Florida.
Designed and built by American artist Frederic Clay Bartlett in the 1920s, the
Bonnet House in Ft. Lauderdale was the winter retreat for the Birch Bartlett and his Evelyn Fourtune Bartlett who was also an artist. The home is the only home and studio of two recognized American artists with original furnishings that is open to the public. A unique Florida treasure, the
Bonnet House and its 35 acres of pristine barrier island ecosystem figure prominently in the City of Fort Lauderdale's Comprehensive Plan. In the past, inappropriate developments that would negatively impact it were rejected by the City's governing agencies, but that is beginning to change. The historic trust says a number of intrusive developments are advancing closer to the
Bonnet House demonstrating a need for increased protection of this historic site.
Of national significance on the list is
Hialeah Park Race Course considered by many to be the oldest and widest continuously operating turf horse racing track in the U.S. The park marks the beginning of the City of Hialeah, and represents a symbolic resting place for the champion thoroughbreds that raced there. Proposed development threatens several of the structures within the park, and could jeopardize the site's National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmark eligibility.
A cultural centerpiece of Coconut Grove since it was built in 1924, the
Coconut Grove Playhouse is not protected by any local designation. Financial issues have forced the owners of the building to close the theater until a decision on its future is decided. The local historic landmark designation was previously threatened by appeal from the owners but that decision is now pending the financial situation of the theater.
In Hollywood, the
Great Southern Hotel made the list again. The building is one of only two remaining commercial buildings that were built by the founder and developer of Hollywood, Joseph Young. It is part of the Hollywood Historic National Register District. Current plans are only saving a mere 10% of the building, with a twenty story high rise to be built behind the façade. The
Great Southern Hotel has been on the Florida Trust's Most Endangered list since 2005.
While the
Stranahan House in Ft. Lauderdale is not threatened, the
Trading Post and Camp Site next to it is. The site was the first point of contact where the Seminole Indians and other travelers gathered to exchange goods and services. A 42-story condominium project is proposed for the significant archaeological trading post site.
Built in 1927 by Noted architect William Manly King the
Boynton High School was constructed in the Mediterranean Revival style and incorporates elements of Art Deco. The school was used as a school and community center until 1994, and then transferred to the City. Since that time, the building has stood vacant and has been slowly deteriorating. Development pressure, poor maintenance, and the current economic conditions all factor into the increasing threat of demolition to the school building.
Other endangered historic sites on the list include:
Riverview High School, Sarasota Designed by architect Paul Rudolph in 1957, this jewel of modern architecture characterizes the elements of design that came to be known as the nationally-acclaimed Sarasota School of Architecture. Riverview High School marks a transition in Rudolph's career and was his largest commission in Florida to date. The school is threatened to be replaced with a new, larger, school.
Dr. Henry Nehrling's Palm Cottage Gardens, Gotha Palm Cottage Gardens, one of Florida's first tourist attractions, was the home and working gardens of noted horticulturalist Dr. Henry Nehrling. Over the years the property has changed owners and sections were sold. That, coupled with increased development, has diminished the 40-acre garden so that only 6 acres of the original homestead remain. The property is currently listed for sale and at risk of being razed for an estate home. The Henry Nehrling Society has a contract to purchase the property but has a daunting task of raising the necessary funds by September 2008.
Model Land Company, Saint Augustine The Model Land Company Historic District is 20 blocks of 1839-1930 Frame Vernacular and various Revival style structures, located at an important entry point to the city. This district includes the Hotel Ponce de Leon (Flagler College) and the Grace Methodist Church. The residential neighborhood within this historic district developed mainly during the Flagler era. The threat to the Model Land Company district is proposed demolition of 7 houses and a potential zoning change to allow new construction of a hotel.
Chert Structures in University of Florida Neighborhoods, Gainesville The Gainesville area is home to a distinctive vernacular architecture constructed with chert - a local fieldstone. These chert structures are unique in construction and represent the skill of local craftsmen. Development pressure and re-development plans have taken their toll on the chert structures, most evidently in the five neighborhoods surrounding the University of Florida: College Park, Hibiscus Park, Golfview Estates, University Heights North, University Heights South. If protections aren't enacting to save these structures soon, we may lose these unique historic resources.
Bob White Citrus Packing House & Strawn Sawmill National Register Historic Districts, DeLeon Springs Historic sites illustrating Florida's citrus industry are disappearing and only a handful of existing historic citrus packing houses remain in Florida and California. The Strawn Sawmill and Citrus Packing House were developed under supervision of Theodore Strawn, an internationally-known orange cultivator. The 15 historic structures located in these historic districts are threatened by vacancy, lack of financial resources for their preservation, and proposed demolition.
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