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In 1893, Chicago attorney Hugh Taylor Birch ventured to South Florida in quest of a secluded retreat for his abode. He settled in the quaint Fort Lauderdale community, which boasted a store, a handful of residences, and the remnants of an old Army Post.

Securing oceanfront land for roughly a dollar per acre, he eventually possessed a 3.5-mile expanse of beachfront. At 90 years old, in 1940, Birch erected his Art Deco-style dwelling, dubbing his 180-acre estate Terramar or “land to the sea.” Desiring to shield his subtropical haven from encroaching urbanization, Birch bequeathed his estate as a public park. On December 31, 1941, the Florida Board of Forestry and Parks acquired the grounds, thereby establishing Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. It stands proudly as an island sanctuary of verdant foliage amidst bustling urban Fort Lauderdale, nestled between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, often likened to Central Park for its tranquil emerald allure in a cosmopolitan backdrop.

Hugh Taylor Birch

Lawyer Hugh Taylor Birch made his inaugural South Florida visit from Chicago in 1893, seeking solace from the throngs flocking to the Columbian Exposition. Birch retained 180 acres as his personal residence until his demise in 1943.

Elks Youth Camp

Among the earliest constructs within the park is the Elks Youth Camp, open for rental to nonprofit youth organizations catering to up to 68 youngsters. The amenities comprise six cabins and a lodge equipped with kitchen and dining facilities.

Lake Helen

Since the 1950s, visitors have been able to rent canoes to traverse the largest of the park’s freshwater coastal dune lakes, Lake Helen. A graceful paddle along the narrow expanse offers a rare chance to observe the park’s diverse wildlife and multitude of avian species.

Scenic Railroad

Spanning from 1965 to 1985, the Birch State Park Scenic Railroad treated visitors to a three-mile, 30-minute narrated expedition through the park. The journey encompassed a tunnel passage and traversed two trestles overlooking the park’s freshwater lakes.

Barbecue Pit

Since opening its doors to the public in 1949, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park has been a haven for Floridians and tourists alike, offering an array of activities from picnicking and beach outings to trekking and birdwatching.

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