Michigan City in Porter County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Florida House: Home, Cruise Ship, and More

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

The Florida House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Doda, June 14, 2019

1. The Florida House Marker

Inscription.

The Florida House: Home, Cruise Ship, and More. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

"In a sense, this Florida house is a manifesto for the whole sub-tropical world or for any place where open air living is desirable, for it is a house which brings the indoors out and the outdoors in." , Raley, Dorothy (editor), "A Century of Progress: Homes and Furnishings" (Chicago: M.A. Ring Company, 1934)

, An architectural travel brochure of sorts, the Florida Tropical House was the only state-sponsored Century of Progress home, commissioned by the State of Florida to lure tourists to "The Sunshine State.” The state even published a booklet promoting the project, complete with an introductory message from then Governor David Sholtz., The most expensive and luxurious of the Century of Progress Homes, the "Florida House"-as it was originally known-was designed for people of means who lived life in style., Inspired by the subtropical climate of southern Florida, Robert Law Weed, a prominent Miami architect, designed the flamingo pink Art Deco home to bring the indoors and outdoors together in one place. With plentiful windows, he explained, "The rooms themselves become part of the out-of-doors.", The home's centerpiece was its spacious two-story living room, with an overhanging balcony. Modeled after an ocean liner deck, the building's flat roof showcased large open terraces perfect for lounging and sunbathing. The nautical theme continued inside, with portal windows and cruise ship-inspired aluminum railings., The residence cost $15,000 to build. The building's original specifications called for poured concrete walls, but so that the house could be easily removed following the Fair, it was framed in wood, then finished with a lightweight concrete stucco. Materials native to Florida used in the construction of the building included limestone, and travertine, another form of limestone deposited by mineral springs., Over the years, the home's bright pink color has served as a navigational aid for boaters on Lake Michigan.

"In a sense, this Florida house is a manifesto for the whole sub-tropical world or for any place where open air living is desirable, for it is a house which brings the indoors out and the outdoors in."
Raley, Dorothy (editor), "A Century of Progress: Homes and Furnishings" (Chicago: M.A. Ring Company, 1934)

An architectural travel brochure of sorts, the Florida Tropical House was the only state-sponsored Century of Progress home, commissioned by the State of Florida to lure tourists to "The Sunshine State.” The state even published a booklet promoting the project, complete with an introductory message from then Governor David Sholtz.

The most expensive and luxurious of the Century of Progress Homes, the "Florida House"-as it was originally known-was designed for people of means who lived life in style.

Inspired by the subtropical climate of southern Florida, Robert Law Weed, a prominent Miami architect, designed the flamingo pink Art Deco home to bring the indoors and outdoors together in one place. With plentiful windows, he explained, "The rooms themselves become part of the out-of-doors."

The home's centerpiece was its spacious two-story living room, with an overhanging balcony. Modeled after an ocean liner deck, the

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building's flat roof showcased large open terraces perfect for lounging and sunbathing. The nautical theme continued inside, with portal windows and cruise ship-inspired aluminum railings.

The residence cost $15,000 to build. The building's original specifications called for poured concrete walls, but so that the house could be easily removed following the Fair, it was framed in wood, then finished with a lightweight concrete stucco. Materials native to Florida used in the construction of the building included limestone, and travertine, another form of limestone deposited by mineral springs.

Over the years, the home's bright pink color has served as a navigational aid for boaters on Lake Michigan.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 41° 41.033′ N, 87° 0.083′ W. Marker is in Michigan City, Indiana, in Porter County. Marker is on West Lake Front Drive, 0.1 miles east of Dunbar Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 251 W Lake Front Dr, Michigan City IN 46360, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Century Of Progress Homes: Historic District (within shouting distance of

Photographed By Craig Doda, June 14, 2019

2. The Florida House Marker

this marker); A Showcase For Cypress (within shouting distance of this marker); House Of Tomorrow: 'America's First Glass House' (within shouting distance of this marker); Century of Progress Homes (within shouting distance of this marker); Made In Lafayette: An Experiment in Home Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Armco-Ferro House: Mass Produced And Affordable (within shouting distance of this marker); Recipe for a Sand Dune (approx. 0.3 miles away); Whose Home Is It? (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Michigan City.

Photographed By Craig Doda, June 14, 2019

3. The Florida House Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 1, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.