The Sponge Exchange

The Sponge Exchange is one of the oldest structures in town, dating to the 1850s. The building gets its name from its role during Apalachicola's sponge trade era which began in the 1870s when immigrants from Greece brought their centuries-old sponge trade practices to Florida and created a lucrative fishery. , The local sponge fleet was made up of small schooners which sailed the northern Gulf harvesting sponges for about a month before returning. Each carried several small rowboats. Two men worked each dinghy, one rowing as the other harvested the catch using a long-handled hook. When the schooners returned a dealer would purchase the harvest for buyers in New York and other ports. Apalachicola's sponge trade was once the third largest in the state., Diving technology came to Apalachicola in 1904. This more efficient technique utilized divers wearing weight belts who walked along the sea floor connected to a long air tube. Due to resource depletion and the invention of the synthetic sponge, the sponge trade faded into history for several decades until a recent resurgence., The Sponge Exchange sat neglected and in danger of collapse for some time. It was purchased and restored in the 1990s by Architect Lynn Wilson, who modernized the building while preserving historic elements. On the interior, note the exposed original brick walls. Wrought iron tie rods serve as structural reinforcement by bracing the walls against bowing. They are anchored through the exterior walls to the decorative star-shaped anchors, a common feature of 19th century brick buildings. The building has no windows. Other notable features include arched doorways which once had fitted iron double doors and gables with parapets., The photo above dates to 1895 (State Archives of Florida). Learn more at www.DowntownApalachicola.com/plaque., This plaque was made possible with a generous contribution from Dr. Evelyn Ploumis-Devick in honor of the Ploumis family.