As a child growing up in Martin County, the House of Refuge became our “hide and go seek” place with the family. The rocks along the coast became an excellent area to hide from the seeker.

The House of Refuge is located on the road through Indian River Plantation and about a mile north of Sailfish Point and Bathtub Beach. The Ross Witham Beach is located at the House of Refuge.

The enjoyment of the House of Refuge is knowing the historical significance of the area. The “oldest” house in Martin County, the Refuge is the last one standing of ten that were built to provide shelter for marooned sailors along the coast. Built in 1875, the building symbolizes a by-gone era when maritime shipping along the coast was king.

There is a tower which was built in 1942 to spot ships that were sunk by German subs off our coast. The Germans were quite active in the area and there were many dark nights along our coast.

A big treat as a child growing up was to see all the turtles that were rescued. Once a year, the rescued turtles would be released into the sea and it became an annual event. In a large pool, “Charlie,” could be viewed as he was a gigantic Green Turtle. In 2004, the Refuge was forced to stop rescuing turtles as it was not a designated environmental center.

Panoramic pictures can be taken of the rocks and the House of Refuge. Arguably, it is one of the most photographed spots in Martin County.

The Museum is open at 10:00 thru 4:00 PM, with hours on Sunday starting at 12:00 PM. Currently, the price of admission is $8 dollars. It is well worth your time if you have any interest in Maritime and local history.

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