Princess Place

Well, pull up a chair, because if these old woods could talk, they’d tell you a story that sounds like it was plucked straight out of a storybook. Princess Place isn’t just a park; it’s the soul of Flagler County, wrapped in Spanish moss and dipped in a little bit of royal mystery.

The "Why": A Lodge Built for Love

Back in the late 1800s, a fella named Henry Cutting wanted to build a getaway. Now, most folks back then were just trying to survive the Florida heat, but Henry had "big city" taste and "Old Florida" heart. He built this lodge using the very ground it stands on—pink cedar and hand-cut coquina stone.

But the real "why" happened after Henry passed. His widow, Angela, met a Russian Prince named Boris Sherbatow. She brought her Prince right here to these pines. Imagine that! A real-life Princess living among the gators and the scrub. They turned this wild Florida acreage into a place of elegance, hosted royalty, and even built the first in-ground swimming pool in the whole state (fed by an artesian well, no less!).

The "How": Preserving the Peace

You might wonder how a place this beautiful didn't end up covered in condos. Well, we have some forward-thinking locals and the county to thank for that. They saw that the real value of Palm Coast isn't just in the rooftops, but in the roots.

By designating this as a preserve, they made sure that the "Green Blueprint" stayed intact. They kept the original lodge, the pioneer "Florida Cracker" salt-marsh cottage, and the stables exactly where they’ve always been. They didn't just save the buildings; they saved the quiet.

The "Today": Your Backyard Sanctuary

Today, Princess Place is where we go when the modern world gets a little too loud. It’s 1,500 acres of "hush."

• The Wildlife: You’ll still see the Florida Cracker horses and those fancy peacocks strutting around like they still own the place (and let's be honest, they do).

• The Trails: Whether you’re on a horse, a bike, or just your own two feet, the trails here take you under oaks that have seen centuries of Florida sun.

• The Water: Pellicer Creek is still as glassy and clear as it was when the Princess watched the sunset from the porch. It’s the perfect spot to launch a kayak and just... breathe.

📍 ALICE’s Neighborly Advice

If you’re heading out there this weekend, pack a picnic basket. There are plenty of shaded spots by the water that are just begging for a quiet afternoon. And don't forget your camera—the light hitting that coquina stone at "golden hour" is something you’ve gotta see to believe.

Address: 2500 Princess Place Preserve, Palm Coast, FL 32137

Cost: Not a penny for us locals!  Princess Place map