Coral Castle is a mysterious and strange place, more an oddity than a cultural site, but has a simply fascinating and very strange story and history.
Originally called "Rock Gate Park", it was built by one man working completely alone and it took him 28 years to complete.
This man, a lovesick Latvian, Edward Leedskalin, born in 1887, was jilted on the eve of his wedding, at the age of 26, his would be bride, only 16, telling him he was too old and too poor...She went on with her life, while he went off the deep end. Hurt by the rejection, he then left Latvia, wandering all over the world eventually he made his way to Canada, California and Texas. He worked many jobs, primarily in lumber camps and on cattle drives. These hard, back breaking jobs gave him the strength he later used in cutting and moving the gigantic blocks of coral rock, each weighing many tons, which he used in creating this lasting testament to his love.
He arrived during the period between 1918-1920 and proceeded to purchase some property then, for whatever reason, decided to carve a Castle completely out of Coral rock in dedication to his long lost love.
You really have to see it to believe it and whenever I have guests in town this is the first place I want them to see..Remarkable is too mild a word to describe Coral Castle!
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