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Fire Destroys Historic Monroe Station Within Big Cypress National Preserve

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Published Date

April 12, 2016
Historic Monroe Station at Big Cypress National Preserve/NPS

Investigators are working to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed the historic Monroe Station inside Big Cypress National Preserve/NPS

National Park Service investigators and those from the state of Florida are working to determine the cause of a blaze that burned the historic Monroe Station to the ground at Big Cypress National Preserve.

Alarms brought firefighters to the station shortly before midnight Monday only to find the structure fully engulfed. Located at the junction of Tamiami Trail and Loop Road, the structure burned to the ground, according to the Park Service.

Anyone with information relating to the fire is asked to contact the Florida State's Arson Tip Line at 877-662-7766

Monroe Station was one of six way stations constructed in the late 1920s in the remote reaches of Collier County along the Tamiami Trail. Monroe and the Royal Palm Station, located at the intersection of CR 92 and Tamiami Trail, are the only two that remained near their original locations. Three of the stations have been destroyed over time, and one was moved a great distance from its original site and modified for other use, a Park Service release said.

The purpose of the way stations was to provide gas, and other conveniences to travelers. Over the years, Monroe Station had been modified by several lessees and was a well-known way point for people along the road.

In 1988 the property, which was owned by the Collier Corporation, was transferred to the National Park Service. The business closed and the building was boarded up. In 2000, the structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Since 2005, the National Park Service had been seeking financial support for the stabilization and restoration of the structure. 

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Comments

Submitted by L. Humphrey on August 15, 2016 - 7:19am.

Has there been any charges brought against the individuals responsible yet? 

We read about the fire and how it happened and it just to seem "fall" off the radar.

Thanks


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