By Carrie Pack
Did you know Florida’s first in-ground swimming pool is in Flagler County? It’s just one of many fascinating tidbits of history you’ll learn at
Princess Place Preserve.
The pool, like many early freshwater pools in Florida, is fed by a continuous-flowing artesian well. Though the pool isn’t safe for use today, Princess Place’s knowledgeable tour guides can tell you about all the fun that happened there years ago, and how this property became a social gathering spot for many prominent northern families as well as world-famous dignitaries and even royalty. But it’s the quaint, homey feeling of the remaining buildings that makes this place a gem to me.
You can see the building attached to the pool is leaning to one side, but you can almost imagine yourself walking out of the building and directly into the swimming pool. Women were especially discreet, so the pool is practically an extension of the bathhouse.
Visitors can explore all the historical buildings on the site, including the newly restored hunting lodge. And of course, there’s a lot of nature to explore with hiking trails and camping. The park is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Oh, and some people say Princess Place is haunted. If you’re brave enough, you can camp on site and investigate for yourself.