Location: Crescent Beach, Florida North East, Florida, USA
Accommodations: House, 4 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 3 Baths (Sleeps 8-10)
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (1896-1953) bought this beach house in 1939, with money received from her Pulitzer Prize for "The Yearling". By the end of 1942, both "The Yearling" and "Cross Creek" had been translated into 13 languages. Shortly after Rawling's 50th birthday, the motion picture version of "The Yearling", starring Gregory Peck and Jane Wyman, was released to critical acclaim.
Marjorie Rawlings bought the Crescent Beach house from Ralph Poole, one of the founders of Marineland and wrote "Cross Creek" (1942), "Cross Creek Cookery" (1942), and her final novel, "The Sojourner" (1953), here. The house also served as the setting for one of her favorite short stories, "The Pelican's Shadow".
Rawlings was a wonderful hostess and cook: Robert Frost, Ernest Hemingway, Dylan Thomas, and Zora Neale Hurston were among her guests at the house. In one of her letters to Ellen Glasgow (1945), Rawlings wrote,"...It is a wonderful place to work here. The ocean is an impassive and objective background for one's thoughts."
The beach house was saved from demolition in the 1980's by Mary Elizabeth Streeter, a teacher of literature from Indianapolis and an admirer of Rawlings. She restored it so that the basic structure, architecture and layout remained intact and it has been lovingly maintained by Streeter family members.
The beach house sits on a high dune overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and encompasses over 200 feet of ocean frontage. Ocean views are panoramic and un-obstructed from most rooms. An outdoor wrap around deck accommodates relaxation, entertaining, and outstanding views of the ocean, pelicans, dolphins, sunrises and moonrises. There is a private walkway to the beach. Endangered gopher turtles live in the dunes and sea turtles build their nests there.
The house has four bedrooms, three full bathrooms, a spacious living room, kitchen-dining area, three fireplaces and a wraparound deck. The rooms are decorated to recreate a journey back in time to the "old Florida" style of living -but with modern conveniences.
If you desire a true ocean front house to enjoy the peace and inspiration Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings found, this is the perfect location. Bring your creativity or just your toothbrush and sandals. Enjoy the breath-taking views, the tranquility and the beautiful white sands of Crescent Beach.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking
- Gas Fireplace
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- King Bed
- Queen Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Convertible Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Catering Available
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- View/Location
- Beachfront
- Oceanfront
- Communications
- Telephone
- Broadband Internet
- Suitability
- Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations)
- Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations)
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Sailing
- Boating
- Parasailing
- Jet Skiing
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Surfing
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Racquetball
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Miniature golf
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
April4-April 30 .... $3100/week
May through September.. $2500/week After Labor Day $1800/week
Monthly rates and rates for 3 day weekends also available
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Property Photos
- View from the beach - Oceanfront Beach House in Crescent Beach, FL with Private Walkway to the Beach
- South bedroom(formerly Rawlings' studio); king bed - Oceanfront Beach House in Crescent Beach, FL with Private Walkway to the Beach
- View of the beach and walkway from the East deck - Oceanfront Beach House in Crescent Beach, FL with Private Walkway to the Beach
- Kitchen
- Ocean breezes and view on east side of the house;north to wheelchair ramp
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #225923
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This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - October 07, 2009
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