House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar

As boat traffic increased along the Atlantic coast of South Florida, shipwrecks and boating accidents started occurring more frequently. It wasn't until there was a call for a support system that Congress decided to step in and create "Houses of Refuge." Following the Congressional act issued in 1874, five houses were erected along with four more within the next ten years. Houses of Refuge were mainly tasked with providing shelter, food, and clothing to shipwreck victims.

House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar first saw action in 1876. It was built on the southern tip of Hutchinson island, and just across the Indian River Lagoon from Stuart. The best documented shipwreck at the house would be that of the Georges Valentine. On October 16, 1904, a hurricane blew the Italian barque all the way from Havana, Cuba to Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge where it smashed into the rocks. Of the twelve on board, five were killed and seven were rescued. Today the shipwrecked remnants are a very popular scuba-diving site, and located only about one hundred yards off the House of Refuge.

When the modern U.S. Coast Guard was established in 1915, the House of Refuge became a Coast Guard station. It remained active during World War I and World War II. During the second world war, German U-boats torpedoed freighters along the Treasure Coast. This caused the Navy to construct a lookout tower and additional buildings on the property which still stands today. In 1945 the U.S. government decommissioned the House of Refuge operations and the house sat empty until 1953, when Martin County purchased it and its 16-acre grounds for $168.

In 1955 the Martin County Historical Society was formed in order to protect the house and turn it into a museum. The museum exhibits provide a look at what life was like on the coast during the turn of the 20th century. You can view the boathouse, kitchen, dining room, parlor, bedroom and a lookout tower constructed during World War II. There is also a newly added timeline of Hutchinson Island dating from 2000 BC to the hurricanes of 2004. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, a century after Congress declared its need. Today the House of Refuge Gilbert's Bar itself is a survivor. Of the original ten houses, it is the only House of Refuge remaining on Florida's coast.

• House of Refuge . (n.d.). Historical Society of Martin County. https://hsmc-fl.com/house-of-refuge/ 

This source explains just what the house of refuge system was and why they were important among the Atlantic coast. It also presents important events that this House of Refuge played a part in, including World War II. I used this source to get an understanding of why the house was built and what historical events the house lived through.

• Gross, B. (2020, January). Hutchinson Island’s House of Refuge: Beautiful Beach Site is Window to Past. Florida Rambler. https://www.floridarambler.com/historic-florida-getaways/gilberts-bar-house-of-refuge/

This article discusses the history of the House of Refuge and the important role it had in the house of refuge system unique to Florida. It also reveals what happened after its days as a house of refuge came to an end, as well as the best documented shipwreck in the area. I used this article to learn what happened after the house of refuge was no longer needed and what led it to where it was today.

• Schultz, I. (n.d.). Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge . Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/gilberts-bar-house-of-refuge 

This article gave great background information on the House of Refuge system as well as the one at Gilbert’s Bar. It also lists the hours of operation and the cost of admission. I used this article to distinguish the uniqueness of this house of refuge compared to the others and how much it costs to enter.

• Off the Beaten Path - House of Refuge at Gilbert’s Bar. (n.d.). The Florida Channel. https://thefloridachannel.org/videos/off-the-beaten-path-house-of-refuge-at-gilberts-bar/

This source offers a short six minute video about the House of Refuge at Gilbert’s Bar. The video chronicles the entire history of the house and some information on what the museum has to offer. I watched and was able to listen to one of the workers at the house describe it and give a tour of the museum located within it. 

• Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge . (n.d.). Museum of Florida History . https://museumoffloridahistory.com/exhibits/permanent-exhibits/world-war-ii/historical-sites/southeast-listing/gilberts-bar-house-of-refuge/

This website has a list of historical sites that include Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge. Not only does it have some information on the house but it includes very detailed directions to the location. I used this website see how the house of refuge ranked among other historical locations in Florida and a little bit of the history that makes it special.