Pinecrest (ghost town)

USA / Florida / Chokoloskee /
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In the 1920's Pinecrest was a kind of boom town with the opening of the Trail. Pioneers were gator hunters, loggers, farmers, bootleggers, and some just trying to get away from the law. The nearest law was at the county seat in Key West. Pinecrest, just across the county line from Dade county, was a perfect place for Al Capone's home, hotel, and brothel. When the Depression hit it had a devastating affect on Pinecrest. The hurricanes finished the rest off. Gone are many of the homes, school, and the Gator Hook Lodge.

The area was featured along with pictures in the August 1976 issue of National Geographic. The Gator Hook Lodge was put up for sale a few years ago and, although there was a dispute, there were no buyers. The State bought the land and bulldozed the landmark hoping the area would return to the natural state. Some of this area is private property, however.

Not not be confused with the present-day Village of Pinecrest:
wikimapia.org/#lat=25.664465&lon=-80.302077&z=14&l=0&m...

www.ghosttowns.com/states/fl/pinecrest.html
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinecrest,_Monroe_County,_Florida
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   25°45'16"N   80°56'10"W

Comments

  • This area is where the 1970's low-budget horror movie Bloodstalkers was filmed. I have been in touch with the director and the cabin and a gas station they used were filmed in Pinecrest.
  • The gas pumps are still standing, at least there were as of a year or two ago.
  • The two story home and barn and rockpit on the sout side of Loop rd belonged to Bill Golitely(?) who owned heavy equipment.
  • pinecrest was a logging community many years ago. Old benny was the mayor. the restaurant was owned by eddie Hawkins as the gas pumps. dave Jenkins had the rifle range down by mitchels which buddy royal purchased. pinecrest was a fun place to hang out
This article was last modified 14 years ago