House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar
Encyclopedia
The House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar, also known as Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge, the House of Refuge Museum, or simply the House of Refuge, is an historic building located at 301 S.E. MacArthur Boulevard, on Hutchinson Island east of Stuart
, Florida
. It is the oldest surviving building in Martin County
.
The House of Refuge is the last remaining shipwreck life-saving station on Florida's Atlantic Coast. Built in 1876 to help stranded sailors, its long colorful history spanned nearly 70 years. Today it is owned by the Martin County government and leased to the Martin County Historical Society which operates it as a museum exhibiting life-saving equipment used over the years and showcasing the keeper's quarters, circa 1904. On May 3, 1974, the House of Refuge was added to the U.S.
National Register of Historic Places
.
, one of the most prominent geologic outcroppings along the entire Eastern seaboard. The house was one of ten commissioned by the U.S. Treasury Department as havens for shipwrecked sailors and travelers along the barren east coast of Florida. It is the only one that remains today.
It offered shelter to the survivors of the Georges Valentine
shipwreck in 1904. Captain William E. Rea was the Keeper of the House of Refuge at the time and aided the seven survivors. On October 17, during the same storm the Spanish ship Cosme Calzado wrecked three miles north of the Georges Valentine, but fifteen of the sixteen men survived. The surviving crew joined the survivors of the Georges Valentine at the House of Refuge. The men later returned home via Jacksonville, Florida except for one. Edward Sarkenglov remained and became a local fisherman. Captain Rea and his wife lived in the House of Refuge until May 1907.
The facility also served as a lookout for enemy submarines in World War II
. It was saved by the Historical Society of Martin County in 1955, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
With the permission of the Martin County Historical Society, Florida Ghost Team investigated this historic site in 2004. There were a couple events during the investigation that rose suspicion of paranormal activity here.
Stuart, Florida
Stuart is the only incorporated city of Martin County, Florida, on Florida's Treasure Coast. The population was 14,633 at the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 15,964....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. It is the oldest surviving building in Martin County
Martin County, Florida
Martin County is a county in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 126,731. The U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimate for the county is 138,660. Its county seat is Stuart, Florida.- History :...
.
The House of Refuge is the last remaining shipwreck life-saving station on Florida's Atlantic Coast. Built in 1876 to help stranded sailors, its long colorful history spanned nearly 70 years. Today it is owned by the Martin County government and leased to the Martin County Historical Society which operates it as a museum exhibiting life-saving equipment used over the years and showcasing the keeper's quarters, circa 1904. On May 3, 1974, the House of Refuge was added to the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
National Register listing
- House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar
- (added 1974 - Building - #74000651)
- Also known as Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge
- North of Bathtub Beach on Hutchinson Island east of Stuart, Florida, Stuart
- Historic Significance: Event
- Area of Significance: Social History
- Period of Significance: 1875-1899
- Owner: Local Gov't
- Historic Function: Domestic, Government
- Historic Sub-function: Hotel, Public Works
- Current Sub-function: Museum, Research Facility
History
The House of Refuge is situated on the coastal rocks of the Anastasia FormationAnastasia Formation
The Anastasia Formation is a geologic formation deposited in Florida during the Late Pleistocene epoch.-Age:Period : QuaternaryEpoch: Pleistocene ~2.558 to 0.012 mya, calculates to a period of...
, one of the most prominent geologic outcroppings along the entire Eastern seaboard. The house was one of ten commissioned by the U.S. Treasury Department as havens for shipwrecked sailors and travelers along the barren east coast of Florida. It is the only one that remains today.
It offered shelter to the survivors of the Georges Valentine
Georges Valentine (shipwreck)
The Georges Valentine Shipwreck Site is an historic U.S. Italian barkentine shipwreck located off the coast of Hutchinson Island in Martin County, Florida, with the nearest landmark being the House of Refuge. The iron-hulled barque was built in Liverpool, England in 1869 by Bowdler Chaffer &...
shipwreck in 1904. Captain William E. Rea was the Keeper of the House of Refuge at the time and aided the seven survivors. On October 17, during the same storm the Spanish ship Cosme Calzado wrecked three miles north of the Georges Valentine, but fifteen of the sixteen men survived. The surviving crew joined the survivors of the Georges Valentine at the House of Refuge. The men later returned home via Jacksonville, Florida except for one. Edward Sarkenglov remained and became a local fisherman. Captain Rea and his wife lived in the House of Refuge until May 1907.
The facility also served as a lookout for enemy submarines in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was saved by the Historical Society of Martin County in 1955, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
With the permission of the Martin County Historical Society, Florida Ghost Team investigated this historic site in 2004. There were a couple events during the investigation that rose suspicion of paranormal activity here.
Museum exhibits
The House of Refuge provides a look at turn-of-the-century living along the coast. Areas available for public viewing are the boathouse, kitchen, dining room, parlor, bedroom and a lookout tower constructed during WWII. New exhibit space includes a timeline of Hutchinson Island dating from 2000 B.C. to the hurricanes of 2004.Gift Shop
The naturally challenging and scenic location of the House of Refuge has served as the inspiration for a number of paintings and photographs. The late local artist Howard Schafer was commissioned to paint the House of Refuge as it looked after it was built in 1876. Limited edition giclees of this print are available in our gift shop, as well as a variety of gifts, books, souvenirs, photos and artwork.External links
- House of Refuge - official site
- Martin County listings at National Register of Historic Places
- Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs
- Elliott Museum / House of Refuge at Stuart / Martin County Chamber of Commerce
- Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge panoramic view from i-ota.net's Panoramas of the Treasure Coast, Kennedy Space Center, Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, and Stuart
- Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge LSS at United States Coast Guard