The Barnacle House & Park, Coconut Grove - Oldest House in Miami in Original Location

The Barnacle, Coconut Grove, Miami

The Barnacle, in the Coconut Grove neighbourhood of the City of Miami, is the oldest house in Miami-Dade County still in its original location.

A park dotted with palm trees stretches from the house down to the boathouse on the waterfront, where there's a view over Biscayne Bay.

In Centre of Coconut Grove
Although the entrance to The Barnacle Florida State Park is right in the centre of Coconut Grove, a short walk from the shops, restaurants and bars, it's easy to pass by without noticing its discreet sign.

From the entrance, the house is a few minutes' walk along a paved track shaded by tropical hardwood trees, remnants of a forest which once covered a large part of what is now Miami.

The Barnacle Built in 1891
Pioneer settler and yacht designer, Ralph Middleton Munroe, built the house in 1891, although he bought the land in 1886, for $400 plus one of his boats, which was worth a further $400. He built a boathouse by the mangroves on the shore of Biscayne Bay in 1887 and lived above it until the house was completed.

1926 Hurricane Destroyed Boathouse
To minimise hurricane damage the house was located away from the waterfront, far enough above sea level to make flooding less probable, and the roof slopes down in every direction, so that it is less likely to be blown off. The boathouse is not the original one. That was destroyed by the hurricane of 1926.

Wood pilings were used to raise The Barnacle from the ground and allow air to circulate underneath, and the porch shields the walls from the direct rays of the sun.

Wood for The Barnacle Salvaged from Wrecked Ships
Inside The Barnacle is an octagonal room with stairs leading to a timber balcony, made from Dade County pine and wood salvaged from wrecked ships. A cupola was built on the roof with windows opened by pulleys to create a simple ventilation system which took advantage of sea breezes. The living room, dining room and bedrooms are furnished with period pieces and the kitchen has an old cooker and water pump.

“Honour Box” to Pay The Barnacle Park Admission
Admission to The Barnacle Park is $2.00 for adults and children over six, with payment made at an “honour box” before you reach the house.

Parking is not available inside the park except for the disabled. The park is closed on Tuesday. Picnic tables are provided in shaded areas.

Tours of The Barnacle House
Guided tours of The Barnacle house are available from Friday to Monday at 10.00 am, 11.30 am, 1.00 pm and 2.30 pm. Tickets are sold at the park office, behind the house, and cost $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for children aged six to 12. There are rocking chairs on the porch where you can sit while you wait for the tour to begin.

Directions to The Barnacle in Google Transit
For directions to The Barnacle, either by public transport or driving, click on the Google Transit link in the right-hand sidebar of this blog.

If you want advice on how to use Google Transit go to this post: Directions in Miami - Walking, Driving, Bike, Buses & Trains.