Deering Estate at Cutler Investigation Case File & Evidence
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Richmond Cottage, Formal Dining Room
Charles Deering Estate, A Brief History
The land where the Charles Deering Estate now stands has its history dated back to 100,000 years ago, as part of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge. The elevation of the ridge has changed significantly, as well as the fauna and flora inhabiting it. Of the 444 acres of the Estate , several acres are designated as an archeological site, being excavated since 1986. With fossil remains of mastodon, Florida lion, ancient horse, saber-toothed cat and jaguar as well as multiple other fauna and flora, the Estate is a significant archeological site. Evidence of Paleo Indian date back to 10,000 years ago.
Also well preserved on the Estate are remnants of the people of the Tequesta tribe, first inhabiting the land 1500-700 years ago. A Tequesta burial mound is partially preserved on the Estate, as bits and pieces have been removed over the years. The mounds are now only accessible by naturalist-led tours and well protected by a boardwalk that surrounds it and guarded by security staff. A 350 year old oak tree grows in the middle of the remains, as a symbol for whom is buried there. Not far from the mounds is a midden, that has revealed the discarded aspects of the life of the Tequesta, and some of those objects are displayed throughout the Estate grounds today. The Historical Museum of South Florida in downtown Miami exhibits a large amout of the collection.
More recently, the Town of Cutler was the first civilized settlement of the land, dating back to late 1880's to 1890's. The Richmond Cottage, originally built in 1896 is the only building remaining from the town. In 1904, Samuel Richmond and his wife Edith added on to their home and opened it as a hotel, welcoming guests wintering in the tropics and traveling through to the keys. The Town of Cutler eventually evacuated west with the building of Flagler Railroad and settlement of Perrine, and the cottage closed its doors in 1915.
In 1916, Charles Deering purchased the land that was the Town of Cutler and tore down all but the Richmond Cottage, which became his winter home for he and his family. He then renovated the home and built the boat basin, meanwhile, his Brother James built Vizcaya Estate in Miami, 15 miles North of Cutler. In 1921, Charles and his family wanted to make a permanent home in South Florida and began construction of the Stone House, a three-story Mediterranean Revival, with 13,900 square feet. The house was complete a year later, and Charles lived in the house year-round with his Wife Marion until his death in 1927, passing away in his bedroom in the Stone House.
The Deering family retained ownership of the Estate until 1985, when the State of Florida purchased the land and placed it in the Care of Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation. With most of the estates collection of art and artifacts donated to the University of Chicago and Northwestern University over the years by Charles' daughters Marion and Barbara, the house remained relatively empty. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew almost flattened the Cottage and devastated the property. Restoration efforts formed a Foundation, and in 1999 the Estate reopened to the public and remained a significant Historical site as well as an educational and arts center, slowly regaining some of the Deering Family collection throughout the houses.
The land where the Charles Deering Estate now stands has its history dated back to 100,000 years ago, as part of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge. The elevation of the ridge has changed significantly, as well as the fauna and flora inhabiting it. Of the 444 acres of the Estate , several acres are designated as an archeological site, being excavated since 1986. With fossil remains of mastodon, Florida lion, ancient horse, saber-toothed cat and jaguar as well as multiple other fauna and flora, the Estate is a significant archeological site. Evidence of Paleo Indian date back to 10,000 years ago.
Also well preserved on the Estate are remnants of the people of the Tequesta tribe, first inhabiting the land 1500-700 years ago. A Tequesta burial mound is partially preserved on the Estate, as bits and pieces have been removed over the years. The mounds are now only accessible by naturalist-led tours and well protected by a boardwalk that surrounds it and guarded by security staff. A 350 year old oak tree grows in the middle of the remains, as a symbol for whom is buried there. Not far from the mounds is a midden, that has revealed the discarded aspects of the life of the Tequesta, and some of those objects are displayed throughout the Estate grounds today. The Historical Museum of South Florida in downtown Miami exhibits a large amout of the collection.
More recently, the Town of Cutler was the first civilized settlement of the land, dating back to late 1880's to 1890's. The Richmond Cottage, originally built in 1896 is the only building remaining from the town. In 1904, Samuel Richmond and his wife Edith added on to their home and opened it as a hotel, welcoming guests wintering in the tropics and traveling through to the keys. The Town of Cutler eventually evacuated west with the building of Flagler Railroad and settlement of Perrine, and the cottage closed its doors in 1915.
In 1916, Charles Deering purchased the land that was the Town of Cutler and tore down all but the Richmond Cottage, which became his winter home for he and his family. He then renovated the home and built the boat basin, meanwhile, his Brother James built Vizcaya Estate in Miami, 15 miles North of Cutler. In 1921, Charles and his family wanted to make a permanent home in South Florida and began construction of the Stone House, a three-story Mediterranean Revival, with 13,900 square feet. The house was complete a year later, and Charles lived in the house year-round with his Wife Marion until his death in 1927, passing away in his bedroom in the Stone House.
The Deering family retained ownership of the Estate until 1985, when the State of Florida purchased the land and placed it in the Care of Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation. With most of the estates collection of art and artifacts donated to the University of Chicago and Northwestern University over the years by Charles' daughters Marion and Barbara, the house remained relatively empty. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew almost flattened the Cottage and devastated the property. Restoration efforts formed a Foundation, and in 1999 the Estate reopened to the public and remained a significant Historical site as well as an educational and arts center, slowly regaining some of the Deering Family collection throughout the houses.
Enhanced photo of female apparition, 2010
Investigations, Publicity & Ghost Tours
In August of 2010, Messengers Investigators had the privilege to be part of the first paranormal team to investigate the Deering Estate at Cutler. Investigation team led by Messengers Founder, Colleen Kelley, with team L.P.I., spent two days at 10 hours per day covering the entire property with EVP, infrared and full spectrum video, photography, dowsing techniques, Psychic walk-throughs, and various detectors of elemental changes. Our investigation included the two main houses, Stone House and Richmond Cottage, the Carriage house studios and offices, power house and the many acres of land surrounding the houses, with significant emphasis on Tequesta burial mound and midden sites.
In the three months leading up to the investigation, Case Manager, Colleen spent countless hours researching the property and inhabitants, utilizing the University of Miami, Otto Richter Library Special Collections. Getting to know the Town of Cutler, the Richmond Family and the Deering family, particularly, Charles, Colleen was able to link the voices, videos and images captured to actual historical events that took place in the early 1900's, revealing over 60 EVPs, dozens of photos of apparitions, light anomalies and mists, and video of multiple light energies flying through the halls and rooms.
In October 2010, the team was able to claim that the Deering Estate is indeed haunted and plan the first ghost tour to share with the public. Once news got out of this, and we publicized our evidence, media attention came to the estate and subsequently, the ghost tours continued out of necessity. The first ghost tour had over 400 attendees and was widely publicized throughout the US, as well as on Central and South American media channels. Check out the link below to her about us on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered."
In August of 2010, Messengers Investigators had the privilege to be part of the first paranormal team to investigate the Deering Estate at Cutler. Investigation team led by Messengers Founder, Colleen Kelley, with team L.P.I., spent two days at 10 hours per day covering the entire property with EVP, infrared and full spectrum video, photography, dowsing techniques, Psychic walk-throughs, and various detectors of elemental changes. Our investigation included the two main houses, Stone House and Richmond Cottage, the Carriage house studios and offices, power house and the many acres of land surrounding the houses, with significant emphasis on Tequesta burial mound and midden sites.
In the three months leading up to the investigation, Case Manager, Colleen spent countless hours researching the property and inhabitants, utilizing the University of Miami, Otto Richter Library Special Collections. Getting to know the Town of Cutler, the Richmond Family and the Deering family, particularly, Charles, Colleen was able to link the voices, videos and images captured to actual historical events that took place in the early 1900's, revealing over 60 EVPs, dozens of photos of apparitions, light anomalies and mists, and video of multiple light energies flying through the halls and rooms.
In October 2010, the team was able to claim that the Deering Estate is indeed haunted and plan the first ghost tour to share with the public. Once news got out of this, and we publicized our evidence, media attention came to the estate and subsequently, the ghost tours continued out of necessity. The first ghost tour had over 400 attendees and was widely publicized throughout the US, as well as on Central and South American media channels. Check out the link below to her about us on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered."
Much of our evidence was caught in the outdoor areas, but some of the most memorable personal experiences from being touched, pushed, equipment tampering, and being rushed upon happened inside the oldest house, the Richmond Cottage. This is also where our best EVPs were captured . You can also watch us here as we spook a local reporter inside the Cottage as he has his own personal experience with the paranormal during an expose of the haunted Deering houses.