Description

The Collected Writings of Edward Leedskalnin is a compilation of two of Leedskalnins works Magnetic Current and A Book in Every Home This eccentric sculptor and amateur scientist devoted most of his life to creating a large complex of megalithic stones that he quarried and carved himself
Edward Leedskalnin was born in Latvia in 1887 Although he only received formal education up to the fourth grade he was very inquisitive and spent a large part of his youth reading He was said to be a sickly boy and grew into a small manreportedly measuring just 5 feet tall and weighing 100 lbs
At age 26 he was engaged to marry a 16yearold girl named Agnes Skuvst but the wedding was called off Accounts differ some claiming the wedding was canceled the day before it was scheduled and others saying that Leedskalnin was jilted at the altar Regardless he was heartbroken and shortly after emigrated to America
After reaching New York in 1912 he continued on to Oregon where he worked for an axhandle manufacturer By 1923 he had contracted tuberculosis The illness prompted him to move to a warmer climate for his health He chose Florida where he purchased an undeveloped acre of land in Florida City
It was on this modest plot that he began Rock Gate later renamed Coral Castle This ambitious project involved extracting enormous pieces of oolite stone from his land moving them into position and carving thementirely alone The pieces include sculptures and carved stone furniture as well as a twostory tower that served as his living quarters
The project was devoted to his Sweet Sixteen the woman who had rejected him many years earlier
Due to the scale of the project some have dubbed it Floridas Stonehenge While its unclear how Leedskalnin was able to complete it it is all the more impressive considering his small stature and questionable health
When he wasnt hewing or carving stone Leedskalnin was also conducting experiments and writing