The lodge was built by Henry Cutting, a wealthy New Yorker, who utilized coquina concrete for the construction.
The property was later owned by Angela Mills, who married a Russian prince, earning the estate its 'Princess' moniker.
The preserve contains the site of the first orange grove in Flagler County.
The lodge features a unique octagonal design, which was architecturally unconventional for Florida homes of the 1880s.
Princess Place Preserve serves as a major gateway for the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.
Princess Place Preserve is a 1,500-acre nature site containing the historic 1887 Princess Lodge, noted as one of the earliest examples of concrete architecture in Florida. The property sits at the confluence of the Pellicer Creek and the Matanzas River, offering a mix of salt marshes, coastal oak hammocks, and scrub ecosystems. Visitors can access miles of hiking, equestrian, and biking trails that traverse diverse coastal habitats. The preserve functions as a protected sanctuary for local wildlife, including gopher tortoises and various wading birds. Cultural remains on-site include the original carriage house and a historic swimming pool. The grounds are actively managed by Flagler County to maintain both the structural integrity of the lodge and the health of the surrounding marshlands.
The front porch of the historic 1887 lodge overlooking the Pellicer Creek estuary.
Bring insect repellent, as the marshy environment supports a high density of mosquitoes.
Check the equestrian trail maps if you plan to hike, as some paths are designated for horseback riding.
Pack water and snacks, as there are no food vendors located within the preserve boundaries.
Do not attempt to hike the marsh edges during high tide, as paths may become submerged or extremely muddy.
Stay on marked trails to protect sensitive marsh vegetation and respect the wildlife-first policy.
