Ariel W.
Yelp
There are many beautiful old homes and historic buildings in Miami from Florida's land boom years in the 1920's and the 444 acre Deering Estate overlooking Biscayne Bay is one such example. The grounds of the estate are an environmental, archaeological and historic preserve containing one of the largest unspoiled coastal tropical hammocks in the United States. Through ten thousand years of human history Paleo Indians, Tequestas, Seminoles, Afro-Bahamians, and Anglo-Americans have all lived on the property that is now called the Deering Estate.
Located in the Cutler neighborhood of Palmetto Bay, this was the retirement home of Charles Deering (1852-1927) who was a Chicago industrialist, preservationist, environmentalist, art collector, and philanthropist. He was the first chairman of the International Harvester Company.
The property has a three-story wooden house built in 1900, called the Richmond Cottage which was named after S.H. Richmond and his wife Edith who, opened the house as an Inn which hosted such prominent guests Henry Morrison Flagler and James Ingrahm. In 1901 it was listed as the southern most hotel in the United States. In1916 the Richmond was purchased by Charles Deering who added it to other buildings he put on his on his estate which included a carriage house, pump house and power house. He also built a limestone and concrete wall surrounding the estate and built the boat turning basin in Biscayne Bay.
While exploring the Richmond Cottage I discovered the alcove on the second floor that displays the results of all the paranormal investigations that have taken place around the estate. "Proof" included transcripts of conversations with spirits, accounts of first hand experiences, and photos. I enjoyed spending a few minutes looking through their albums and watching the short video. The estate has the reputation of being the most haunted in south Florida and in October through November the Deering estate offers ghost tours.
In 1922 Deering completed his three-story Mediterranean Stone House designed by Phineas Pais who designed many of the beautiful buildings in Coral Gables. The home has poured concrete walls and oolitic limestone. The Chicago Fire of 1871 left such an impression on Deering that he built the home without a stove. All of the cooking was done at Richmond Cottage. Another unusual feature of the home for the time was that it had an elevator. Deering lived here until his death after which he passed to his wife and children. The last Deering relative living in the house passed away in 1982 and the property was listed for sale. The estate was acquired by the State of Florida in 1985, and is part of the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, which manages the property. In 1986 the Deering Estate was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After Hurricane Andrew struck the estate in 1992, a wine cellar was discovered hidden behind cabinets.
In addition to the buildings, the property contains two important archeological sites, the Cutler Burial Mound and the Cutler Fossil Site. One of the few surviving prehistoric mounds in Miami-Dade County, the Cutler Burial Mound contains the remains of 12 to 18 Native American from the Glades I and II periods (50,000 to 100,000 years ago). The Cutler Fossil Site is a sink hole discovered in 1979. It contains the bones of Pleistocene animals including extinct peccaries, mammoths, sloths, dire wolves, and saber-toothed cats along with artifacts from early humans. These sites are only accessible through a one hour walking tour led by a Deering Estate Naturalist. It is offered from October until May and included with the price of admission.
In addition to touring the buildings and archeological sites the Deering estate offers canoe tours, paranormal investigations, bird walks, moonlit kayaking, Biscayne Bay boat tours, hiking on the nature trails, and eco-tours. The Deering Estate is open every day from 10 AM to 5 PM except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Adult admission is $15 but they offer different discount days. I was able to tour for $5 as part of a Fourth of July promotion. Follow them on Facebook to keep posted on all of the different events held at the estate throughout the year.
I loved my visit here but be warned, it is hot in the summer. I hiked out to the Chinese Bridge but it was brutal in the sun. I definitely recommend coming in the fall and winter when it is more comfortable to walk around and do the eco and archaeology tours.