When most people think of Miami, their minds swell with images of sprawling beaches amidst the backdrop of a gleaming metropolis. They will associate the city with its notorious nightlife more than anything else. Little do most people know, is that the city of Miami contains a history as lavish and broad as her beaches and as colourful as the people that go there. Interestingly, Miami is the only city in the United States to be conceived by a woman, Julia Tuttle, a local Citrus grower and native to Cleveland. If one is seeking a vacation to Miami with an intent of seeking out history in mind, the Metropolitan by COMO, Miami Beach, would be an ideal choice for accommodation in South Beach Miami as it is situated in the city’s historic epicenter. Amongst the ocean of sites one can visit to catch a glimpse of the city’s history, one unique item that stands out In particular is The Barnacle Historic State Park. A reserve built around the oldest house in Miami, having been built in 1891.
The Barnacle was the home of Ralph Middleton Monroe, who was known for being a charismatic and reputable figure in the Yacht industry. His passion for designing marine vessels was paramount, and within his lifetime he had drawn plans for fifty-six different sail-boats. Munroe was a bit of a renaissance man because in addition to be a seaman he was a civic activist, naturalist and a photographer. Since he loved everything to do with nature, it is no surprise that he built his home in the splendor of a harmonious natural habitat.
One of the park’s most notable features is what is known as a tropical hardwood hammock, which is a form of closed canopy forest consisting of a mix of various species of trees ranging from evergreen to shrub species. This is a particularly special site in the region as these sorts of forests have been rampantly destroyed by forest fires.
So if you’re seeking sunny beaches and tropical splendor take a trip to Miami and take a walk through the sands of time at the Barnacle Historic State Park.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
