Boca Chita: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Biscayne National Park, National Park Service
The Jaeger Company, contractor, Quinn Evans Architects, subcontractor, Fitzpatrick Structural Engineering, subcontractor. 2010. Boca Chita: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Biscayne National Park, National Park Service. Cultural Landscapes Inventory Report. 550011. NPS Southeast Regional Office. Southeast Regional Office/CLI Database
The Boca Chita Historic District is an 11 acre site on the north end of Boca Chita Key, an approximate 32 acre island at the northern end of the Florida Keys, southeast of Miami and part of Biscayne National Park. Its location and complex of historic structures is a unique example of recreational resort development that took place in this region during the 1920s and 30s, primarily by northern industrialists. The Boca Chita Historic District is significant under criteria A, B and C. The period of significance is from 1937 to 1945, when Boca Chita Key was developed and actively used as a resort island by its owner at the time, Mark Honeywell, and other wealthy families that were active in the Miami social scene. The main historic structures in the district feature Miami oolitic limestone, are associated with the firm of prominent Miami architect August Geiger, and have maintained their integrity. Smaller historic structures are in varying condition. All of the historic structures were constructed during the Honeywell era. Although Hurricane Andrew destroyed the historic vegetation and wood frame structures, the setting and spatial character remain largely unchanged. Vegetation planted since Hurricane Andrew has helped to recreate the general landscape character that existed during the period of significance, primarily lawn and palm trees with views of the ocean, Biscayne Bay, and the island’s historic lighthouse. Ownership of Boca Chita Key changed hands several times until it was acquired by NPS in 1985. During this time it continued to serve primarily as a recreational site. The island is only accessible by boat and is still used for recreation, largely by weekend visitors from the Miami area. A small harbor constructed prior to the period of significance allows for overnight or short term docking, and many visitors will camp on the island. A very limited amount of development and construction occurred south of the historic district during the period of significance. This area has always been less managed and maintained than the historic district. It is primarily native vegetation, dominated by mangroves and associated species. This CLI updates information contained in the 1997 listing of Boca Chita Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places, including the chronology of development.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- The Jaeger Company, contractor; Quinn Evans Architects, subcontractor; Fitzpatrick Structural Engineering, subcontractor
- Date of Issue
- 2010-09-01
- Publisher
- NPS Southeast Regional Office
- Units
- BISC , SER
- Keywords
- August Geiger, Biscayne National Park, Boca Chita, Boca Chita Key, Boca Chita Lighthouse, Cultural Landscape, Florida, Florida Keys, Lighthouse, Limestone Structures, Mark Honeywell, Miami
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Human Use | Cultural Landscapes | Cultural Landscapes