Coral Castle: A Guide From Palm Cay in Florida City
In this article
Coral Castle is a stone garden and landmark on South Dixie Highway in the Homestead area of Miami-Dade County. One man, Edward Leedskalnin, built it by himself between 1923 and 1951. He carved and moved huge limestone blocks using only basic tools. Its most famous piece is a 9-ton gate. Here is a detail most visitors miss: Leedskalnin started the work in Florida City, then moved it north. Today, Coral Castle is one of the landmarks on the builder's neighborhood map for Palm Cay, D.R. Horton's townhome community in Florida City.
This guide covers what Coral Castle is, its Florida City story, and how to plan a visit from Palm Cay.
What Is Coral Castle?
Coral Castle is a collection of large carved stones set in a garden, with walls, a tower, tables, chairs and sculptures, all made of stone. The official Coral Castle website gives the address as 28655 S. Dixie Highway, Homestead, FL 33033.
The site says Leedskalnin built it single-handedly, from 1923 to 1951, "using only basic tools." It calls the place "a Modern Wonder Shrouded in Mystery." That mystery is a big part of why people visit: how did one man move blocks that heavy?
Despite the name, it is not built from living coral. The official site describes the blocks as limestone, and Wikipedia names the stone as oolite, a type of limestone.
Who Built Coral Castle?
Wikipedia's Coral Castle article describes Edward Leedskalnin as a Latvian-American who lived from 1887 to 1951. It says he spent more than 28 years on the work and refused to let anyone watch him while he worked. That is a big reason the stories about how he did it still go around.
The numbers are striking. Wikipedia puts the total at roughly 1,100 tons of stone. The official site highlights "the perfectly balanced 9-ton gate." Visitors come to see how pieces that heavy were set so carefully by one person.
The Florida City Connection
Coral Castle did not start where it stands today. Wikipedia says Leedskalnin began building around 1923 in Florida City. Around 1936, he moved the stone pieces north to the current site, a job that took about three years. NBC Miami reports the same move from Florida City to Homestead.
So if you live at Palm Cay, you live in the city where Coral Castle began.
The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, according to both Wikipedia and NBC Miami. It was first listed under the name Rock Gate, and Wikipedia says the listing name was changed to Coral Castle in 2011.
What You Will See
On a visit, look for these:
The 9-ton gate, the piece the official site calls perfectly balanced
Stone furniture, including tables and chairs
Slab walls around the garden
A two-story tower, which Wikipedia says served as Leedskalnin's living quarters
Carved shapes, including a crescent moon, a water fountain and a sundial, as Wikipedia lists them
The official site offers tours. Hours, tour times and admission can change, so check coralcastle.com before you go.
Getting There From Palm Cay
Coral Castle sits on U.S. 1, also called South Dixie Highway, north of Homestead. U.S. 1 is one of the main roads near Palm Cay, so it is the simple route between the two.
Palm Cay itself sits at the north edge of Florida City. The builder's site plan shows SW 328th Street, also called Lucy Street, along its north side. That street is the line between Florida City and Homestead.
Florida's Turnpike is also close to Palm Cay. The Homestead Extension of the Turnpike ends at U.S. 1 in Florida City, which is handy for trips north toward Miami.
Tips for Your Visit
Go early or late in the day. Much of the site is outdoors, and South Florida sun is strong.
Wear good shoes. You will be walking on stone and grass.
Bring water and a hat.
Bring guests. It is a good first stop when family visits for the first time.
Check the website first for current hours and tour times.
A Good First Stop for Visiting Family
When relatives come to see your new home, they want to see the area too. Coral Castle makes an easy half-day plan. It is outdoors, it has a story everyone can follow, and it pairs well with a meal nearby. If you have guests who do not do stairs, note that the Angelo and the Wittkop at Palm Cay each have a bedroom and full bath on the first floor. See Palm Cay floor plans compared.
More Places to Explore Near Palm Cay
Coral Castle is one of several landmarks near Palm Cay. The builder's neighborhood map for Palm Cay also marks:
Homestead-Miami Speedway, the race track east of Homestead
Homestead Air Reserve Base and Homestead Hospital
Florida Keys Outlet Marketplace in Florida City
And two more favorites for weekends:
Biscayne National Park, whose mainland visitor center is on SW 328th Street, the same street as Palm Cay's north edge
Robert Is Here, the fruit stand on SW 344th Street
About Palm Cay
Palm Cay is a D.R. Horton Express Series townhome community in Florida City. It has five two-story floor plans, from 1,382 to 1,582 square feet, with 3 or 4 bedrooms. Two plans have a bedroom and full bath on the first floor. None has a garage; D.R. Horton says each home has two assigned and owned parking spaces in front.
The community's amenities include a pool, cabana, dog park, tot lot and a walking area around the lake with fitness equipment. D.R. Horton describes them as completed.
Homes have recently started in the low $370,000s. Prices and incentives change, so call 561-704-0091 for today's numbers. Compare every plan in Palm Cay floor plans compared, and see what the lack of a garage means in parking space dimensions.
Common Questions
What is Coral Castle?
Coral Castle is a garden of large carved stones on South Dixie Highway in the Homestead area. Edward Leedskalnin built it by himself between 1923 and 1951, using basic tools. Its best-known piece is a 9-ton gate.
Where is Coral Castle?
The official website lists 28655 S. Dixie Highway, Homestead, FL 33033. South Dixie Highway is another name for U.S. 1, one of the main roads near Palm Cay in Florida City.
Did Coral Castle start in Florida City?
Yes. Wikipedia and NBC Miami say Edward Leedskalnin began building in Florida City around 1923. Around 1936 he moved the stones north to the current site, a job that took about three years.
Who built Coral Castle?
Edward Leedskalnin, a Latvian-American who lived from 1887 to 1951. The official website says he built it single-handedly from 1923 to 1951, using only basic tools. Wikipedia says he refused to let anyone watch him work.
Is Coral Castle made of coral?
No, not living coral. The official Coral Castle website describes the blocks as limestone, and Wikipedia identifies the stone as oolite, a type of limestone. The name stuck anyway.
Is Coral Castle a historic site?
Yes. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, first under the name Rock Gate, according to Wikipedia and NBC Miami. Wikipedia says the listing name became Coral Castle in 2011.
How much does it cost to visit Coral Castle?
Admission and hours can change, so we do not list them here. Check the official Coral Castle website before you go for current prices, hours and tour times.
Call 561-704-0091 or Visit Palm Cay in Florida City to see the homes, then make an afternoon of it at Coral Castle.
Related reading: Homestead-Miami Speedway: A Neighbor's Guide From Palm Cay, Biscayne National Park: A Guide From Palm Cay, Robert Is Here Fruit Stand: A Guide From Palm Cay, Palm Cay Floor Plans: All Five Townhomes Compared, Parking Space Dimensions: Two Assigned Spaces at Palm Cay, and the Palm Cay community page.