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The man behind the masterpiece -

The brain and brawn behind this astounding work of art, Edward Leedskalnin, was born on August 10, 1887, in Riga, Latvia.

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Young love - At the age of 26, Leedskalnin was engaged to marry the love of his life, Agnes Scuffs. Due to the fact that Scuffs was 10 years his junior, Leedskalnin affectionately referred to her as "Sweet Sixteen."

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Love and loss - Tragically just one day before the ceremony, Agnes called off the wedding and Leedskalnin was left utterly devastated. He decided to flee to America.

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The game plan - In an effort to mourn this tragic loss, Leedskalnin set out on a mission to create a monument that would forever honor his one true love.

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An astounding accomplishment - With no machinery or outside assistance involved, Leedskalnin built a massive castle out of over 1,100 tons (999,000 kg) of coral rock as a declaration of love to his former fiancée.

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Power in a small package - Leedskalnin's work made that much more impressive by the fact that he was only 5 ft (1.52 m) tall and weighed a mere 100 lbs (45 kg).

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The journey - The coral located near the castle can measure up to 4,000 ft (1219 m) thick, yet somehow he managed to cut and transport massive slabs of coral using nothing but simple tools.

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Background in building -

Leedskalnin reportedly acquired the knowledge and skills to take on this massive feat after working for lumber camps in Latvia. He also came from a family of stonemasons.

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Life in the USA - Leedskalnin lived in various parts of North America. He eventually moved to Florida City, Florida in 1918, after contracting tuberculosis. He would continue to live there for another 18 years.

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New horizons - Leedskalnin began building the structure in Florida City, but after getting word of a planned subdivision in the neighborhood in 1936, he bought 10 acres of land and moved the entire operation to the nearby town of Homestead.

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The big move -

Leedskalnin spent the next three years transporting the massive coral structures to his property located 10 miles (16 km) away.

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Simplicity is key - However, the architectural mastermind lived a simple life and did not own a car. When he needed to buy food or supplies for his hefty project, Leedskalnin would bike over 3 miles (4.8 km) into town and back.

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The power of friendship - Due to his limited transportation, a friend used his tractor to pull the colossal carvings on the chassis of an old truck to  Homestead. 

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An air of mystery - While people saw the coral pieces coming down the Dixie Highway, Leedskalnin was never actually spotted unloading the trailer, and that’s exactly how he wanted it.

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Under wraps - Leedskalnin was keen on privacy, and went to great lengths to ensure this tribute to his lost love was kept a secret.

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The top-secret project - He did most of the construction during the night with nothing but a small lantern to light his way. He also built numerous lookouts to spot intruders and nosy neighbors.

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Colossal castle -

By 1940, the carvings were finally in place and Leedskalnin finished assembling the castle walls. Every section of the wall is 4 ft (1.2 m) wide, 8 ft (2.4 m) tall, and weighs more than 5.8 tons.

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Ancient secrets - After achieving the unthinkable, Leedskalnin was often asked how he managed to move the blocks of coral by himself. He would then respond simply that he understood “the secret of the pyramids.”

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Brilliance beyond traditional education - Despite having only a fourth grade education, Leedskalnin even constructed an AC current generator for the castle. The remains of the impressive contraption are still on display to this day.

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The castle conundrum - Due to a lack of witnesses during the structure’s construction, it still remains a mystery to scientists and engineers how Leedskalnin managed to carry out this incredible project.

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The great American pyramids - The secrets behind Leedskalnin’s construction methods have regularly been compared to Egypt’s great pyramids and the prehistoric Stonehenge monument in Wiltshire, England.

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The thoughts of a genius -

The only written records left of Leedskalnin are five pamphlets entitled ‘A Book in Every Home,’ which detail his thoughts on three core subjects: his love “Sweet Sixteen,” and his domestic and political views.

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The loss of a great mind - Leedskalnin fell ill in December of 1951 and left a note on the castle door reading, “going to the hospital,” before hopping on a bus to Miami. Three days later, he died in his sleep at Jackson Memorial Hospital at the age of 64.

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The benefactor - After his death, Leedskalnin’s nephew in Michigan inherited the castle. In 1953, the nephew sold the Coral Castle to a family from Illinois.

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Hidden treasure -

While the property transaction was underway, a note was found, which would ultimately lead to the discovery of 35 US$100 bills—Leedskalnin’s life savings.

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The simple life -

During his life, Leedskalnin made a modest living giving tours around the property for 10 cents and selling his pamphlets.

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A warm welcome -

This sign carved in stone was Ed’s original greeting at the entrance of the Coral Castle. After more than 60 years, the sign still invites visitors to marvel at Leedskalnin’s crowning achievement.

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Eternally etched in stone -

Long after his death, Leedskalnin’s legacy lives on with the Coral Castle, as does the tale of his undying love. His life’s work continues to astonish visitors to this day.

Source: (Coral Castle)

See also: Exceptional Miami experiences that don't involve partying

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