KEEPERS OF FORT LAUDERDALE’S HOUSE OF REFUGE The Men Who Served at Life Saving Station No. 4 from 1876 to 1926 By Ruth Landini

In 1876, the U.S. Government extended the welcome arm of the U.S. Life-Saving Service down the long, deserted southeast coast of Florida. Five life saving stations, called Houses of Refuge, were built approximately 25 miles apart. Construction of House Number Four in Fort Lauderdale was completed on April 24, 1876, and was situated near what is today the Bonnet House Museum and Garden. Its location was on the main dune of the barrier island that is approximately four miles north of the New River Inlet. Archaeological fi nds from that time have been discovered in the area and an old wellhead still exists at this location.

House of Refuge. The houses were the homes of the keepers and their Courtesy of Mrs. Robert families, who were also required to go along the beach, Powell. in both directions, in search of castaways immediately after a storm.1 Keepers were not expected, nor were they equipped, to effect actual lifesaving, but merely were required to provide food, water and a dry bed for visitors and shipwrecked sailors who were lucky enough to have gained shore.

Prior to 1876, when the entire coast of Florida was windswept and infested with mosquitoes, fresh water was diffi cult to obtain. Most of the small settlements were on the mainland, and shipwrecked men had a fearful time in what was years later considered a “Tropical Paradise.” There was a desperate need for rescue facilities. The problem was brought to a head during the hurricane of 1873, when a vessel was wrecked between and the New River. The ship was a total loss and the crew 18 • Broward Legacy existed on spoiled fi sh. The story of character and be able to read and write. In 1880, 195 people were counted the hardship was told in the New Keepers traveled anywhere from between St. Lucie and Jewfi sh York newspapers and reached the four to 24 miles for provisions. Years Creek. By all accounts, keepers of attention of government offi cials, could go by without a shipwreck. the houses had a monotonous life, including Sumner I. Kimball, Wrecked property remained in their for the most part. Pierce wrote about superintendent of the Life-Saving control until it was released by a arriving at the New River Inlet late Service. Kimball immediately higher authority. one afternoon at the landing where ordered the construction of the keeper Jenkins kept his boats. “How “houses of refuge” on Florida’s Keeper No. 1 he and his family managed to content east coast. An Act of Congress Washington (Wash) Jenkins themselves in this most isolated dated June 20, 1874, called for September 11, 1876 to January 2, 1883 and out of the way place is hard to fi ve houses to be built from St. imagine,” he wrote. He visited with Augustine south to Miami.2 Jenkins and his family. Jenkins was Washington Jenkins was a 25-year- building a good sized sloop, named Albert Blaisdell of Boston was old South Carolinian who left his Rena Jenkins for one of his daughters. appointed architect of the houses farm on the New River in Fort October 18, 1875. The South Lauderdale to take the keeper’s post. A July 10, 1878, handwritten Florida stations built in 1876 were According to the 1870 census, he had directive, in the elaborate script of alike: frame construction, one– only one neighbor, Charles Pierce, the day, has been preserved in the story with loft, three main rooms who later wrote a book describing U.S. Coast Guard archives. The downstairs surrounded by an pioneer life in southeast Florida.5 Keeper of Life-Saving Station No. 4 eight-foot-wide veranda on three sides and a narrow kitchen on the north side, windows with screens and shutters but no glass, and a brick chimney in the kitchen for a cook stove. The keeper and his family lived downstairs; the loft, with a small window in each end, was equipped with approximately 20 cots for castaways or visitors. There was a boathouse for the lifeboat and a large wooden elevated tank which held water. Each station cost about $3,000.3

Describing the job of the district superintendent of Florida Life -Saving Stations, Sandy Thurlow writes that the ultimate success of the Life Saving Service depended on the keepers.4 Making a living in the wilderness was so diffi cult for early settlers that a government paycheck, albeit a small one, and a sturdy structure in which to live had great appeal. Keepers were paid $400 annually. They did not need to be professional boatmen; most were Washington “Wash” Jenkins, fi rst keeper of Fort Lauderdale’s House of Refuge, listed as farmers in early census with his fi rst wife and family. records. They had to possess good Broward County Historical Commission. Volume 31 • Number 1 • Broward Legacy • 19 was requested to insert replies to 13 Station Number Four. He divorced were to be included in the log were the “interrogatories” in duplicate, and his wife, Mary, in the mid-1880s. barometer reading and, “Is the house forward one copy to the Treasury Jenkins remained in Florida until his thoroughly clean?” The barometric Department, U.S. Life-Saving Services, death in 1906. pressure was never given in those Washington, D.C., and one copy early days because no barometer was to the Inspector of Life Saving Keeper No. 2 furnished. As to cleanliness, Bradley’s Stations at 10 Broadway, New York. Edwin Ruthven Bradley fi rst entry on May 26, 1883, was, “No Signed by Superintendent Kimball, January 2, 1883 to July 14, 1883 water in cistern.” the questionnaire covered such subjects as high-water marks, beach After taking over Station No. description, tide rise and fall, water Superintendent Spencer appointed 4, Bradley lost his 10-year-old depth and sand bar measurements.6 E. R. Bradley to replace Jenkins as daughter, Flora, to a mysterious By 1885, the questions were on a keeper of Station No. 4. In his book illness, the same malady which had printed form but the replies from the Charles Pierce, whose father was affl icted keeper Jenkins the previous keepers still handwritten. keeper at the Orange Grove station fall. Workmen engaged in repairing in Delray Beach, describes how the the station made a coffi n and she In his 1884 book, Dr. James Henshall, a Bradleys became part of the Pierce was buried under a wide-spreading physician and author from Cincinnati, family group after they moved from sea grape tree, believed to be on the wrote of his 1879 visit to the New Chicago to Lake Worth, Fla. When Bonnet House site. No marker has River Station: “Two miles below Bradley was later appointed keeper ever been found on the Bonnet House the station is the site of Old Fort in Fort Lauderdale, the family was grounds and the gravesite has never Lauderdale where there is a fl ourishing transported on the schooner Illinois been identifi ed. Flora’s brother, Guy, grove of cocoa palms. New River is a for a 53-mile voyage to New River. was so sick and swollen that he had fi ne stream. Mr. Jenkins sailed us up Every one of them became deathly to be carried to the grave. the river in his canoe; we landed and seasick in the fi erce wind and storm. walked a few miles to some hamaks Keeper Jenkins, whom Bradley was The water tank never did hold water, (hammocks or tree islands). On our replacing, was still at the house when although rain became plentiful. It is return I shot a number of ducks with they arrived. possible Bradley became disgusted Jenkins’ gun and had a shot at a bear with the situation because on July but he got away.” Henshall said the Bradley served with the Union Navy 13, 1883, he sailed with his family New River was famous for its sharks as a master’s mate during the Civil for Lake Worth, leaving the House of and immense numbers of fi sh. Jenkins War and was the fi rst keeper required Refuge in the temporary hands of A. often speared crevelle, from 10 to 30 to keep a log book. Two items that L. Daggett who manned it from July pounds, and cured and smoked them. 7 14 to October 26, 1883.

Jenkins was removed from his post Bradley was living in Lake Worth in by the new superintendent of the 1885 when he took his fi rst contract Houses of Refuge, Champlin H. to carry the mail between Lake Spencer, on January 2, 1883. On the Worth and Miami for $600 a year. day he and his family moved out of He is, therefore, credited with being the house, Jenkins was very sick, the fi rst of the legendary “Barefoot swelled up and unable to walk. He Mailmen,” so named because the had to be carried out and was taken carrier went barefoot in order to for medical attention to the Biscayne walk at the water’s edge where Bay House. A month later, recovered, the sand was fi rmer. In his book he made the statement that he had on tropical Florida, Tim Robinson been poisoned by “one that wanted records another story that was told to get him out of the way.” about former keeper Ed Bradley, now a mailman: he hid casks that had Jenkins was the father of four Guy M. Bradley. Broward County surfaced along the “Barefoot” trail, children, two of whom were born at Historical Commission. “so that the mailman might have a 20 • Broward Legacy little liquid refreshment as he walks many of whom came through the by his predecessor, Edwin Bradley. his rounds under the blazing Florida . He recorded the arrival Court was adjourned the fi rst day sun.” They drank from cracked of a Mr. Williford who had come because many of the jurymen were coconut shells. on the schooner Geneva to settle at absent, and a good portion of those New River, and other travelers on attending were under the infl uence The two Bradley sons, Lou and Guy, their way to Fort Worth.9 His family of wine from the wreck. The next returned in 1885 to the station area to arrived November 11, 1883. He and morning, Pierce was disqualifi ed hunt plume birds on nearby Cypress his wife had 11 children. because he was an assistant Creek. Ladies’ hats, decorated with postmaster. He and Peacock walked plumes, became so fashionable By several accounts Peacock was the back to Station No. 4. Pierce was that many species of birds were “most fun and frolicsome, goodhearted broke because he was not entitled to virtually exterminated.8 As detailed and wayward of men.” After taking juror’s pay and had used up his own in Stuart McIver’s book, Death in charge of the wreck of a bark loaded money for room and board. the Everglades: The Murder of Guy with wines, Peacock was called “an Bradley, America’s First Martyr to especially successful collector” of In 1885, after leaving House No. Environmentalism, Guy Bradley, 20 casks, which washed ashore from Fort 4, Peacock became keeper of the years later, was the fi rst Audubon Lauderdale to Miami. It was said that Biscayne Bay House of Refuge, and worker to be killed in the line of duty. he bathed in the wine, hoping it would subsequently temporary keeper of cure his arthritis. Gilbert’s Bar House, sheriff of Dade Keeper No. 3 County and later, tax collector of John Thomas Peacock Charles Pierce, son of the keeper of Dade County. He died in 1907 and is October 26, 1883 to December 1884 the Orange Grove station, recounts buried in Miami City Cemetery. the time that Peacock accompanied him when he went to serve on jury Keeper No. 4 John Thomas “Jolly Jack” Peacock, duty for a Circuit Court hearing in Charles Coman was born in England, immigrated Miami. Peacock, who had attended December 1884 to October 31, 1888 to America in 1863. In 1870, he justices’ courts on the bay in the was living on Biscayne Bay. As past, wanted to see how a real court keeper of Station No. 4 for just was conducted. They walked from Charles Coman was described as a over a year, he kept a careful log Fort Lauderdale to Miami, sampling college man studying marine biology. of vessel sightings and visitors, hidden wine cached along the way Information about this period of the

Pierce family home, Hypoluxo Island, 1886. Left to right: Margareta M. Pierce, Hannibal D. Pierce, Andrew W. Garnett, James E. “Ed” Hamilton, Lillie Pierce, Charles W. Pierce. Courtesy of Dr. Gilbert Voss. Volume 31 • Number 1 • Broward Legacy • 21 late 1800s indicates that keepers of from Central America to Boston that the Bahia Mar Resort, on the coast the Houses of Refuge still received was shipwrecked near what is known just south of Las Olas Boulevard. wages of $400 per year. today as Hillsboro Inlet. Many times he told of riding ashore on a mahogany There is an interesting story about Coman was on duty at the log through a school of sharks. the moving of Station No. 4 from House when “” Ed its fi rst site to the location for which Hamilton disappeared at Hillsboro Captain Denny, as the early settlers was originally intended. Eugene E. Inlet while on his rounds. Coman called him, was a boat builder and Wiley, a history buff and member was the fi rst to realize that something ship captain by profession. He also of the Fort Lauderdale Historical was amiss and sought help. The acted as postmaster, trading outgoing Society recounts, “Some 15 years unsuccessful search for Hamilton letters with the beach-walking after its construction, the government in the alligator-infested water was mailman for letters addressed to decided to move the house and its carefully detailed in Charles Pierce’s Fort Lauderdale residents. In those appendages (outhouse, cistern and a history. A mail carrier himself, Pierce days anyone wishing to travel boathouse). Getting a reasonable bid wrote about leaving Hypoluxo between Miami and Palm Beach was to do the job was almost impossible, for Miami in October 1888 and welcome to walk with the “Barefoot given the remoteness of the area. It walking 25 miles from the Orange Mailman” for $5.10 had to be moved south on what is now Grove House of Refuge to the Fort A1A for 1 5/8 miles and 24 yards. Lauderdale Station. On his return he In an account of a family expedition Ten men (nine laborers and a cook, met Charles Coman on the beach, on the in 1890, which was at $1.50 to $2.00 per day with board) and as was his custom, spent the to take tax collector Fred Olivey were expected to complete the task in night at Station 4. on his annual rounds, Mrs. John the cold January of 1891. It was rolled R. Gilpin wrote of “sailing into on heavy timber tracks. Apparently, Pierce also wrote of his family’s the inlet beautifully after a tussle District Superintendent Shaw had move on the Bon Ton in February with the waves and being at peace used up his fi scal year allotment, so 1885 from the Orange Grove station by the shore of the little peninsula the house stayed part way down the (where his father had just resigned near House No. 4.” She and her coast for six months where the men as keeper) back to their old home traveling companions enjoyed a had left it. The softness of the sand on Hypoluxo Island. He landed at visit with the O’Neill family and and an inadequate tackle also caused Hillsboro and went to call on “our gave Mr. O’Neill three of their immense problems and precipitated neighbors on board the schooner books “to perhaps fi ll an hour now volumes of letters, one described as Neff.” He met a Captain O’Neill and and then in his lonely station.” 11 a ‘masterpiece of haughty tartness,’ his companion Captain Smith. Both between Shaw and S. I. Kimball, were from New York and said they O’Neill was keeper of the house in General Superintendent.”13 were “just cruising about,” away November 1891 when the station from the ice and snow, but Pierce was skidded a mile-and-a-half down Captain O’Neill, keeper of the thought they were “on a treasure the beach to where it was originally moving House of Refuge, was hunt of some kind.” Some three supposed to be. The New River called an inspiration to the faltering years later, O’Neill was appointed station was built in 1876 in the wrong crew. The job, and repair of the keeper of Station No. 4. location because the lumber for its house and outbuildings, was fi nally construction landed in the wrong accomplished in early 1892. The Keeper No. 5 spot. The property owner, P. A. mobile station on August 18, Captain Dennis O’Neill Cunningham, decided to toss Uncle 1891, had been designated the Fort October 31, 1888, to December 29, 1894 Sam off his land in 1891 and advised Lauderdale Post Offi ce. The new Superintendent Hiram B. Shaw to postmaster, William C. Valentine, “remove any buildings from, or lived at the station with keeper O’Neill Captain Dennis O’Neill was considered improvements to, land where station and was said to have kept the mail in a “natural” at running a House of now stands.” 12 The original site was a cigar box. Both men were known as Refuge because he himself had been at what is now the intersection of whiskey enthusiasts, so their quarterly shipwrecked many times. In 1871, at A1A and Sunrise Boulevard. The payday signaled a drinking spree at age 20, he was aboard a steamer bound new location is the present home of the House of Refuge.14 22 • Broward Legacy An article in the August 25, 1892, On February 26, 1896, with Mr. Dr. Thomas Kennedy. The census of issue of The Tropical Sun newspaper Stranahan and Mr. Valentine, he was 1900 showed a population of 91 in reads, “Superintendent of the Life part of a small group that greeted the Fort Lauderdale. -Saving Service, H. B. Shaw, passed fi rst train to arrive at the New River through here Tuesday on his quarterly Station, one of the most important In a letter to Mrs. Frank Oliver of inspection tour of houses of refuge.” events in the town’s history. At Fort Lauderdale dated May 14, 1953, In telling of the 27-mile “pedestrian the turn of the century he traveled Agnes W. Fromberger, widow of journey” from Lake Worth to Fort frequently to Honduras where he Captain Fromberger, gives a “brief Lauderdale he said one leg should be was engaged in banana growing picture” as she saw Fort Lauderdale shorter than the other for walking in the and continued his attachment to from 1895 to 1906.17 She wrote that narrow, soft and sloped beach. He was and interest in Fort Lauderdale. the Indians came in canoes to Mr. laid up for a day or two “for repairs.” Upon his second return he brought Stranahan’s camp to trade alligator a young palm tree which he planted skins and venison for their needs. Around October 1, 1894, there was a on Southeast River Drive. His They were well-behaved and no bad storm which caused considerable last visit was in 1929; he died the trouble. They often camped overnight damage to wharves and boats. Two following year at the home of a on the 14-acre station grounds before bodies came ashore and two vessels niece in Aurora, New York, still going up the Middle River to hold were sunk, one near Hillsboro. wishing to return again.16 their corn dance and ceremonies. Information regarding shipwrecks off the New River Inlet is scarce, but Keeper No. 6 She wrote that the sailing vessel Pearl, the log from Martin County’s House John (Jack) Fromberger carrying freight and passengers from of Refuge, also known as Gilbert’s December 29, 1894, to April 21, 1906 Jacksonville to , sometimes Bar House, has been researched and stopped at the station, usually for a restored. It provides a comprehensive few days. A number of early citizens, and undoubtedly typical picture of John Fromberger was appointed Dr. Kennedy among them, came the challenges faced by early keepers. keeper of No. 4 by H. B. Shaw, south after the heavy frost of the ‘90s superintendent of the Life-Saving killed fruit trees in north Florida. One In a letter dated January 31, 1893, Service from Charleston, S.C. to of the sea-going vessels which often to his brother in Ohio, early Fort Miami. He and his wife arrived by passed in sight of the station was the Lauderdale settler and storekeeper stagecoach at Frank Stranahan’s Three Friends owned by Napoleon Frank Stranahan wrote of managing New River Trading Post from B. Broward, the one-time governor his cousin Guy I. Metcalf’s tent Lantana about February 14, 1895. At of Florida for whom Broward County city and operating a ferry across the that time, the railroad had not been was named. New River. Metcalf published The completed that far south and, in fact, Tropical Sun and was a real estate the dirt road on which they traveled Mrs. Fromberger added that the developer. Stranahan, described was only two years old. fi rst school teacher was Miss as “an equally ambitious young Ivy Cromartie (later Mrs. Frank man,” wrote on Tropical Real Estate Station No. 4 began to have a Stranahan). Frequently visitors from Exchange stationery that his nearest social life of its own. Visitors were other parts of the country would neighbors were Captain O’Neill numerous and included retired dock at the station. She remembered (Dennis O’Neill) and a “Negro” people seeking a warmer climate, when Admiral Dewey came from cook. His cousin, Guy, and his uncle, real estate developers, local people St. Augustine. Also, she recalled Will, had visited the week before.15 who boated over for swimming several bad shipwrecks. One was the parties and picnics. Admiral George Scandinavian steamer Copenhagen. After leaving the keeper’s post, Dewey also visited. “Captain Jack” Men of the community, among Captain Denny worked for landowners and his wife had their fi rst child, them Reid Bryan, Ed King and Mrs. John MacGregor Adams and Hugh Henry Spencer, on February 1, 1896. Oliver’s husband, gave volunteer Taylor Birch, who now owned the The attending doctor came from assistance. Practically all trade was Bonnet House acreage. He also Coconut Grove. Soon afterward, at Mr. Stranahan’s store, which also experimented in aviation, using the budding community of Fort served as the post offi ce. bicycle parts to drive a propeller. Lauderdale had its own physician, Volume 31 • Number 1 • Broward Legacy • 23 Senie Douthit, a teenage girl living that were wrecked; the boatmen who About 60 families received mail at on the South Florida frontier in the needed gasoline, water or vessel the Fort Lauderdale post offi ce. She days before the railroad, wrote a repair; and the seamen who drowned was organist for both the Methodist story about a hunting trip by canoe when he could not fi nd them in the and Baptist churches. She described through the “back route” to the New deep waters. walking for miles on the beach at River, which stopped at the House night and never seeing a light. She of Refuge. In her journal entry of The Vreeland family’s memories recalled that in the eight years her December 27, 1894, she writes, “As augment the Life-Saving Log. Two husband was keeper, he took care of the evening passed it got cooler. We oral histories recorded of James two crews of ill-fated vessels. stopped that night at New River Life Vreeland, Jr. and archived in the Saving Station. Captain Throwburg collections of the Broward County Although born in Michigan, Keeper (actually John Fromberger) was as Historical Commission Keeper Vreeland was known as a true lover nice as he could be to us.” 18 Vreeland described witnessing many of Fort Lauderdale. His March 14, loggerhead turtle roundups. Crews 1916, voter registration indicated The Frombergers left in 1906 when from schooners anchored in the that after his resignation as keeper Captain Jack was transferred to a west bay of the house would catch he lived at 2931 E. Las Olas. The larger station near Charleston, S.C. the giant turtles, tie their fl ippers registration identifi ed him as age They were sorely missed; so many together and ship them to Key West 52, white, Republican and a “fruit people recalled the good times for sale. Vreeland’s son, veteran sea grower” by occupation. He passed they had at Station No. 4. After captain James B. Vreeland, Jr. (Jim) away in 1943. Fromberger’s transfer, Richard S. who came to the House of Refuge King was appointed acting keeper as an eight-year-old, remembered Walter V. Van Sawn was caretaker from April 21 to May 26, 1906. the 1909 hurricane which wrecked a of Station No. 4 from April 21, Key West-bound schooner near the 1914 until a permanent keeper was Keeper No. 7 house. The entire crew reached the appointed July 29, 1914. A January James B. Vreeland, Sr. house safely and stayed there until 1987 account in the Miami Herald, May 26, 1906 to 1914 they were picked up. described the razing of the historic Vreeland home, the oldest house east January 2, 1955, Vreeland’s 92 of the Intracoastal. The beach had no fascination for year-old widow, Cordelia DeVeaux investors; in the early 20th century, Vreeland, described the isolated Keeper No. 8 Captain it was only a place to swim or picnic. strip of wilderness when she fi rst Charles Skogsberg A mile of mangrove swamp had to set foot here in 1906. While it was July 29, 1914, to April 1, 1925 be negotiated at high tide. Most of not the easiest life, she enjoyed it. Fort Lauderdale’s beach had been sold to Hugh Taylor Birch and John In 1914, Captain Skogsberg and MacGregor Adams for $3,500, his family were the only residents approximately $1,000 per mile. on the Fort Lauderdale Beach, with There was talk about a bridge but no the exception of Hugh Taylor Birch, one did anything about it. who lived further north. Birch did not allow trespassers and seldom had A summary of Vreeland’s Life- visitors. In 1914, a fi rst beach casino Saving Log for 1908 was compiled was erected near the station. It was by a former Broward County initially used only on Sundays when Historical Commission Administrator excursion boats, such as Captain Christopher Eck. There were Dick La Vigne’s Excelsior, made some 33 entries in 1908, mostly in their regular runs. The road to the February and June-July. It provides a beach with a hand-operated, single- comprehensive record of the vessels lane drawbridge was opened to the that were grounded offshore and the James B. Vreeland, Sr. Broward public in January 1917 at what is efforts to free them; the steamers County Historical Commission. now Las Olas Boulevard. Gone were 24 • Broward Legacy the intimate gatherings of picnickers less than a year when the United 41, white and a Democrat. His on the veranda of Station No. 4. States Coast Guard took permanent occupation was given as Coast possession of the property and Guard. In 1930, he and his wife (here When the United States entered relieved him of his duties. Coast spelled Jeanette) were living at the World War I, the House of Refuge Guard Base No. 6 was established on same address and his occupation was taken over for the duration by this site February 15, 1926, when it was given as Coast Guard offi cer, so the Coast Guard. They instituted a was transferred from Miami to Fort he apparently retained a connection motorcycle beach patrol, usually Lauderdale. The transfer of the House with the Coast Guard after Station ridden by Wallace King. The of Refuge to the jurisdiction of Base No. 4 was closed in 1926. motorcycle patrol was able to tie into No. 6 was directed on March 10, telegraph lines along the route and 1926, at which time the Coast Guard The City of Fort Lauderdale make immediate reports, instead of brought the houseboat Moccasin to considered purchasing the Coast navigating the diffi cult trip through Fort Lauderdale from Miami. Guard land on Las Olas beach on the mud fl ats and sandbars back to various occasions between 1927 and the station. Former keeper Skogsberg Records of the U.S. Coast Guard, October 29, 1947, when the fi nal remained in charge of the house. Record Group 26, show that the transaction was consummated.21 Fort Lauderdale House of Refuge, The city leased the property, present In 1918, Charles Skogsberg and his which had outlived its usefulness, home of the Bahia Mar Resort, to wife were listed in the city directory was “damaged beyond repair” in the LXR Resorts and on June 21, 2011, as living at the Coast Guard Station on hurricane of September 18, 1926. It renewed the lease for another 99 Las Olas Beach. His occupation was had been home to nine permanent years. Redevelopment plans for the given as “surfman.” Voting registration keepers and their families and had last location of Life-Saving Station records archived at the Broward County been host to hundreds of visitors and No. 4 call for a hotel, a public park Historical Commission indicate that countless men of the sea. and a permanent home for the when Skogsberg registered on March International Boat Show.22 31, 1924, he was listed as living at Voter registration records show 917 E. Broward Boulevard, age 63, Charles D. Stewart and his wife Anyone wishing to view an accurate, Democrat, white and occupation “Coast Jannette living at 128 N.E. 16 Avenue, detailed replica of the House of Guard.” He was a native of Sweden. Fort Lauderdale on April 28, 1928. Refuge may view the model on He was listed as a native Floridian, display at the Fort Lauderdale Captain Skogsberg’s daughter, Charlene Skogsberg Barton, was honored as a Broward County Pioneer in 1989. She recalled moving from Texas in 1914 when her father became keeper. She graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School and became active in the community, playing the Trinity Lutheran Church organ, teaching kindergarten and working at Broward Marine at Bahia Mar in Fort Lauderdale.

Keeper No. 9 Charles D. Stewart April 1, 1925, to March 10, 1926

Charles Stewart became the last keeper of Fort Lauderdale’s Life The House of Refuge was taken over by the Coast Guard during WW I. Courtesy Saving Station No. 4. He served for of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society. Volume 31 • Number 1 • Broward Legacy • 25 History Center’s New River Inn. It 8. McIver, Stuart, Fort Lauderdale and was created by Robert F. Wilhelm Broward County, An Illustrated History, in 1977 after meticulous planning Windsor Publications, Woodland Hills, and research. Wilhelm used photos, California, 1983, p. 29-35. articles from the Historical Society’s archives and on-site research at the 9. Wiley, p. 17-18. Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge, the only South Florida station 10. Pierce, p. 14. still standing. He also reviewed copies of the original construction 10. Gilpin, Mrs. John R. , “To Miami, specifi cations furnished by the 1890 Style,” Tequesta, vol. 1, no. 1, 1941, National Archives. He worked with p. 89. many of the same materials used in model railroading, plus the modeler’s 11. Robinson, Tim, A Tropical Frontier, convenient one-quarter-to-one inch 1800-1890, Port Sun Publishing, Port scale. The roof alone consists of Salerno, Florida, 2005, p.408. 8,000 individual shingles, such was his attention to detail. There is 12. Wiley, Eugene E., “Once Upon A realistic screening in the windows; Sand Dune,” New River News, vol. 16, no. the door knobs are little pins.20  2, 1977.

13. McIver, p. 35.

1. Fort Lauderdale House of Refuge, 14. Stranahan Papers, Broward Legacy, U.S. Coast Guard History Program, Annual vol. 9, no. 3-4, 1986, p. 5. Report of the Life Saving Service, 1879. 15. McGoun, Bill, “Broward Heritage,” 2. Wiley, Eugene E., “Life Saving Station Miami Herald, December 1, 1974. No. 4 and The Quality of Life at the House of Refuge,” Broward Legacy, vol. 1, no. 2, 16. Fromberger, Agnes, New River News January 1977. p. 15-17. History, Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, April 30, 1974. 3. Voss, Gilbert L., “The Orange Grove House of Refuge,” Tequesta, vol. 27, 1978, 17. Scott, Patrick, “The Hunt in Florida, p. 39. The Senie Douthit Letter,” Broward Legacy, vol. 21, no. 1-2, 1998, p. 14. 4. Thurlow, Sandy, Fort Lauderdale Historical Quarterly, Fall, 1997, p. 157. 18. Wiley, “Station No. 4,” p. 21-22.

5. “The Adventures of Charles Pierce in 20. Wiley, Eugene E., “1977 House of Broward County One Hundred Years Ago, Refuge by Dr. Robert F. Wilhelm,” New Part I,” Broward Legacy, vol. 8, no. 3 and 4, River News, October, 1977. 1985, p. 7. 21. House of Refuge, New River, 6. Records of U.S. Coast Guard in the National Archives and Records for Fort National Archives, Record Group 26. Lauderdale.

7. Henshall, James A., Camping and 22. Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, June Cruising In Florida, Robert Clarke & Co, 22, 2011. Cincinnati, Ohio, 1884, p. 102-103.

26 • Broward Legacy