Edward Leedskalninwas bear in Riga , Latvia in 1887 . He was a modest man , around five and a one-half feet tall and barely 100 pounds , but he built a castle by himself completely out of precious coral . It took him decades , but he did it … and he disassembled , run it , and built it all again !
The story goes that Leedskalnin fell in love with Agnes Scuffs , a little girl ten years his junior , in Latvia . They were to be hook up with , but the teenager broke off with him the night before the marriage ceremony , apparently due to the years difference . He referred to her as " Sweet Sixteen " for the rest of his life . The Coral Castle was hypothesize to be a repository to Scuffs , although some theorize that " Sweet Sixteen " was a code name for his co-ordinated hypothesis of the universe or the arcanum of how he built the palace . Leedskalnin subsequently wrote an essay entitledA Book in Every Home , which includes his explanation of how teen girls should not be " soiled " by assort with boys their own long time , a telling mention to his own love biography .
Leedskalnin wrote about his theories of magnetism and electricity , include what he called thePerpetual Motion Holder . He claim to have discovered the secret of ancient Great Pyramid construction , although he did n’t discover that information . He could be pretty cryptic when he desire to be . He wrote severalbookletsthat he trade , promising to expose the charismatic secret of the physical world .
Leedskalnin immigrated to the United States and exploit in the lumber business in various location . After contracting and recovering from tuberculosis , he move to Florida . He beganbuildinghis palace in Florida City in 1920 , excavating precious coral from his own property . He worked on his masterpiece for thirty years , but would not let anyone watch what he did . Leedskalnin worked at night , only when he was trusted no one was around . Some have theorize that the lowly man excavate , moved , carved , and come up the stone using his scientific magnetic discoveries . Others say he supernaturallymade the boulders promiscuous . Leedskalnin did not dispute either theory . However , there are afew photographsthat show Leedskalnin using simple machines and general principles of technology to move the monumental stones .
Leedskalnin took the coral castle asunder in 1936 and go it to Homestead , Florida . purportedly a subdivision was to be build in the area . Possibly Leedskalnin looking for more privacy . It has been reported thatan attackon Leedskalnin by treasure - seek thugs fall the move . He engage a truck and driver , but never have the number one wood load up the hand truck or even watch as Leedskalnin stretch themassive coral fixtures . After the cloth was unload , Leedsskalnin resumed his solitary workplace to put it back together .
When Leedskalnin choke of belly cancer in 1951 , a plaque was found in his bedroom inscribed with thiscryptic statement:“The occult to the Universe is 7129 / 6105195 " , which dispute the mere and easily - sleep together par of 42 . He left other writings , but nothing that detail how he build the rook .
The entrance to the Coral Castle is a swing logic gate made of anine - ton slabof coral . It is balanced so well that you’re able to move it with the touching of a finger’s breadth -or was , until itfell off its pivotin the mid ' 80s . It took a gang with threatening equipment to reset it , and it has never been as well - balanced as when Leedskalnin set it himself .
This heart - forge coral table weighs 5,000 pounds !
Coral Castleis on South Dixie Highway in Homestead , Florida . It is open to the public day by day and can even berentedfor weddings and other occasion . A stumble to the castleinspiredBilly Idol to write the song"Sweet Sixteen " .
See also:7 Lifelong Personal ProjectsandThe Watts tower . Thanks to the many mental_floss readers who suggested this theme !
