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

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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.

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° 41.042′ N, 87° 0.083′ W. Marker is in Michigan City, Indiana,

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 14, 2019

2. The Florida House Marker

in Porter County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwest Indiana,

specifically on the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan Shore,

and in the Calumet Region.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Century Of Progress Homes: Historic District (a few steps from this marker); Century of Progress Homes (within shouting distance of this marker); The Armco-Ferro House: Mass Produced And Affordable (within shouting distance of this marker); House Of Tomorrow: 'America's First Glass House' (within shouting distance

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 14, 2019

3. The Florida House Marker

of this marker); Made In Lafayette: An Experiment in Home Building (within shouting distance of this marker); A Showcase For Cypress (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hostas on a Grand Scale (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Michigan City.

Other markers no longer nearby. Recipe for a Sand Dune (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Whose Home Is It? (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Is This an Ocean or a Lake? (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 333 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on November 4, 2024, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. 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.