Homestead and the surrounding part of South Miami-Dade have more than 20 entries on the National Register of Historic Places, the federal list of buildings, districts and sites considered worthy of preservation. They range from the 1917 town hall and the downtown historic district to Coral Castle, a one-room schoolhouse, a Cold War missile base and archaeological districts inside Everglades and Biscayne national parks. The checklist below groups them by area, with the date each was listed, so you can plan visits or start research. Many are private property or fragile sites, so read the notes on visiting before you go.
What National Register listing means
The National Register is maintained by the National Park Service. Properties are nominated, usually through the state historic preservation office, and listed if they meet criteria for historical, architectural or archaeological significance. Listing is an honor and a planning tool. It does not by itself restrict what a private owner does with private funds, and it does not open a property to the public. Local designation by the city or county is a separate process with its own rules, explained in the guide to historic preservation in Homestead.
Downtown and central Homestead
| Property | Listed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Homestead Public School–Neva King Cooper School | December 4, 1985 | Northwest 1st Avenue; part of a group of Homestead listings |
| Lily Lawrence Bow Library | August 5, 1996 | Library building |
| McMinn-Horne House | August 30, 1996 | Private residence; Northeast 12th Street |
| Thomas Faust House | September 27, 1996 | Private residence; Northwest 4th Street |
| Fuchs Bakery | November 15, 1996 | Former commercial building on South Krome |
| Lindeman-Johnson House | November 15, 1996 | Private residence; North Krome Avenue |
| Homestead Town Hall | November 7, 1997 | Built 1917; now a local history museum |
| Homestead Historic Downtown District | November 19, 2007 | About 11 blocks and 12 acres around Krome Avenue |
| Seminole Cafe and Hotel | July 10, 2008 | Historic commercial building on South Flagler Avenue |
Most of the downtown entries can be seen on the self-guided walk through historic downtown.
North of the city and the farm country
| Property | Area | Listed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Anderson General Merchandise Store | Goulds area | October 18, 1977 | Early rural store building |
| Coral Castle (listed as Rock Gate) | Near Leisure City, north of Homestead | May 10, 1984 | Carved limestone garden; private attraction |
| Silver Palm Schoolhouse | Goulds area | July 2, 1987 | Early rural school building |
Florida City
| Property | Listed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Pioneer Museum | August 14, 1973 | A 1904 railroad station agent's house; replica depot behind it |
Everglades National Park
| Property | Listed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Anhinga Trail | November 5, 1996 | At the Royal Palm area, site of Florida's first state park |
| Monroe Lake Archeological District | November 5, 1996 | Archaeological district; locations are protected |
| Shark River Slough Archeological District | November 5, 1996 | Archaeological district; locations are protected |
| Nike Missile Site HM-69 | July 27, 2004 | Cold War air defense battery; seasonal ranger tours |
Biscayne National Park
| Property | Listed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Offshore Reefs Archeological District | August 24, 1984 | Underwater archaeological district |
| Boca Chita Key Historic District | August 1, 1997 | Island with an ornamental lighthouse |
| Sweeting Homestead | September 19, 1997 | Historic site within the park |
| Populo | June 15, 2006 | Shipwreck site from the 1733 Spanish plate fleet |
| Jones Family Historic District | October 23, 2013 | Home and farm sites of the Jones family on Porgy Key |
The stories behind the park listings are on the page about the history behind Homestead's two national parks.
Visiting listed places responsibly
- Private property. Houses and many commercial buildings are privately owned. View them from the public sidewalk and do not enter yards or knock on doors.
- Public sites. The town hall museum, the national park sites and some attractions are open to visitors on set schedules. Check hours before going.
- Archaeological sites. Do not dig, collect artifacts or disturb sites. Federal law, including the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, prohibits removing artifacts from federal land, and Florida law protects archaeological sites on state land.
- Shipwrecks. Look but do not touch or take anything. Wreck sites in Biscayne National Park are protected.
- Photography. Photographing buildings from public places is generally fine; avoid photographing people or private interiors without permission.
Using the National Register for research
Each listing has a nomination file with a written history, a description of the property, photographs and maps. For a building you care about, that file is often the single best source of its history. The National Park Service makes many nomination files available online. Combine them with the sources in the guide to researching house and family history in Homestead, such as property records, deeds and the Florida Master Site File.
Not every old building is listed. Many historic houses, churches and farm buildings in the area have been surveyed and recorded but never nominated, and many others were lost in Hurricane Andrew. A missing listing does not mean a building lacks history.
How properties get added
- An owner, local government or other sponsor prepares a nomination documenting the property's history and significance.
- The state historic preservation office reviews it, and a state review board considers it.
- If recommended, the nomination goes to the National Park Service for a final decision.
- Private owners are notified and generally have the opportunity to comment or object.
The National Park Service explains the program at nps.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many National Register sites are in the Homestead area?
Counting downtown Homestead, the nearby farm areas, Florida City and the two national parks, there are more than 20 listings, including buildings, districts and archaeological sites.
Is Coral Castle on the National Register?
Yes. It was listed on May 10, 1984, under the name Rock Gate, which is what its builder Edward Leedskalnin called the site.
When was downtown Homestead listed on the National Register?
The Homestead Historic Downtown District was listed on November 19, 2007. The 1917 town hall had been listed separately in 1997.
Can I visit every listed property?
No. Many listings are private homes or businesses, and archaeological district locations are protected. Visit public sites during open hours and view private buildings from the sidewalk.
Does being listed mean a building cannot be changed?
National Register listing alone does not restrict private owners using private funds. Local historic designation can require approval for exterior changes, so owners should check with the city or county.