Orange Grove, House of Refuge No. 3
N 26° 27.871 W 080° 03.469
17R E 593920 N 2927472
The Houses of Refuge in Florida were a series of stations operated by the United States Life-Saving Service along the coast of Florida to rescue and shelter ship-wrecked sailors.
Waymark Code: WM7CYQ
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 10/06/2009
Views: 22
Orange Grove House of Refuge, Florida
USLSS Station #3, Seventh District
Location: North of Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach [see marker
on North Ocean Blvd.]
Date of
Conveyance: 1877
Station Built: April 1876
Fate: Discontinued in 1896
Remarks:
According to the 1879 "Annual Report of the Life Saving Service" these houses of
refuge along the east coast of Florida "contemplate no other life saving operations
than affording succor to shipwrecked persons who may be cast ashore, and who,
in the absence of such means of relief, would be liable to perish from hunger and
thirst in that desolate region. Crews of surfmen are not needed here, but the
keepers and members of their families are required to go along the beach, in both
directions, in search of castaways immediately after a storm."
Station consisted of four rooms downstairs and an upper half-story dormitory.
Keepers:
Hannibal Dillingham Pierce was appointed keeper on 7 OCT 1876 and left in
1877.
Stephen N. Andrews was appointed keeper in September 1877 to October 1896.
Marker reads:
One of several built by Treasury Department between Cape Canaveral and Cape Florida for rescue and sustenance of shipwreked. Named for the wild sour orange grove nearby. H.D. Pierce, first keeper arrived with family May 1876. Here August 15, 1876, was born the first white girl between Jupiter and Miami-(Mrs.) Lillie Pierce Voss. Stephen N. Andrews was last keeper, from September 1877 to October 1 1896. Area's firts post office, Zion was located in house from 1888 to 1892, Mrs. Annie E.Andrews postmaster, House burned March 2, 1297
Marker Number: F-148
Date: 1967
County: Palm Beach
Marker Type: Roadside
Sponsored or placed by: National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Jonathan Dickinson chapter.
Website: [Web Link]
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