Deerfield-News.com-Deerfield Beach,Fl-CAPONE ISLAND HISTORY: SEPTEMBER FULL MOON PADDLE
Posted by Toni | Aug 28, 2017 | Events, Stand Up Paddle, SUP | 0 |
Capone Island History: September Full Moon Paddle
Al Capone Deerfield Beach Island history full moon paddleFULL MOON PADDLE AROUND CAPONE ISLAND
Each month Island Water Sports heads out on a paddle around Deerfield Island Park during the full moon. Also called Capone Island, this park boasts an interesting history dating back to the roaring 20s.
The man known as “Scarface” or “Public Enemy Number One,” may have been born in New York and became notorious in Chicago, but Al Capone and Florida also have a close history.
Capone was one of the most famous American gangsters. Like many northerners, the Sunshine state became a getaway from the cold Chicago winters and a perfect place to hide from assassination attempts.
When Capone first visited Miami in 1926, local government and law enforcement were not happy. They tried to run him out of the state, but Scarface continued to visit. There was a land boom at the time and Capone loved exploring the Southern part of our state. Deerfield and Boca soon became a favorite for him. Florida became a place he called a refuge and eventually the place he took his last breath.
CAPONE’S SPEAKEASY IN DEERFIELD BEACH
As legend has it, there was a fish packing house in the area which later became the Riverview Restaurant on the property which now is Deerfield’s Sullivan park. This restaurant was said to be used by Al Capone as a gambling casino, brothel and a location to ship illegal booze out during the prohibition. Located directly across from this was a little secluded 52 acre peninsula. In 1930 an attorney named Vincent G. Giblin purchased this acreage on behalf of Capone for a future home. Capone loved the location due to its proximity to his business and the seclusion it offered. It provided the perfect setting for him to continue his activities in secrecy while staying close to his business dealings.
MEMORIES OF CAPONE
Deerfield resident, David Eller (Read more about the Eller’s here) recounted:
“My grandmother, Mattie Eller, was an excellent seamstress. She used to make extra money making dresses for the girls who “worked” at Mr. Capone’s private “establishment”. Located where the Intracoastal Waterway intersects the Hillsboro Canal, the “fish” import business, also had lots of gambling machines and fancy girls around. Capone would generally travel by boat from Miami Beach to visit his Deerfield “business.””
A HOME IN DEERFIELD BEACH
Capone planned to build an extravagant home on the land. The local headline story in the July 2, 1930 edition of Fort Lauderdale’s Daily News read,
“What is believed to be a move on the part of Al Capone, Chicago beer and brothel baron, to establish residence and headquarters in Broward county was seen today with the filing of a deed at the Broward courthouse for transfer of a large tract of land lying between the Florida East Coast and Hillsborough canals at Deerfield . . .”
Proposed Canal Drawing Capone Island Deerfield Beach
Proposed Canal Drawing Capone Island Deerfield Beach
Margaret McDougald Shadoin, a long time Deerfield Beach resident, remembers a story where her father W.D. McDougald, Deerfield Police Chief and a Sheriff’s deputy at the time, received a call from Broward Sheriff, Paul C. Bryan saying,
“My dad was told Capone had purchased land on the peninsula, sight unseen, and was coming up to look at it. He wanted my dad and deputy Alvin Stewart to escort the mobster and offer him protection because Capone was the target for an assassin at all times. Dad said Capone was a very mannerly person who told him he was planning to build a nightclub and casino on the island.”
SEPTEMBER NIGHTS OPERA ON THE ISLAND
Around 1934 Capone fell in love with Carmilla Cantella, a leading lady in the Italian opera. She was the lead opposite her husband Vincent Cantello. When their opera came to Florida, neither had ever heard of Capone. On opening night at Jackson Opera House just outside of Fort Lauderdale, is where Capone first saw Carmilla.
“Al Capone attended the opening night of the play. He instantly became spellbound with Carmilla, to the point of buying a ticket for each performance. As the show came to its closing night, Capone began to grow insanely panicked that he would never see his, now beloved Carmilla. He returned to his home and ordered her brought to him. Carmilla was kidnapped and taken to Capone’s Island. She begged for her release, but Capone continued to insist that she would soon love him and would forget her past. He pleaded with her to care for him, for her to sing to him and she refused.”, says historians.
According to stories her husband eventually found where she had been taken and went to the island to find her himself. After relentlessly searching, Vincent decided to sing in hopes Carmilla would hear him. Instead, Capone heard his song and hide Carmilla in a house outside of the property. He then sent his men to “take care of” Vincent. Mourning his death, Carmilla refused to eat and eventually starved herself to death. Legend has it that many over the years have shared stories that Vincent’s song can still be heard on the island during September nights.
Although many things were said to happen on Capone’s Island, nothing permanent was ever built on the property.
CAPONE LOCKED UP
Capone was eventually arrested and sent to Federal prison for Tax Evasions. After Capone’s final arrest, Giblin sold the property once again. Many years later, an additional canal was dug creating an island out of this once peninsula. The island would eventually be acquired by Broward Country to be designated as an Urban Wilderness area and park. The island is now called Deerfield Island and is accessible only by launch from Sullivan Park (where Capone’s Speakeasy once stood).
CAPONE ISLAND TODAY
Today, Deerfield Island’s heavily wooded landscape provides a critical habitat for threatened gopher tortoises. Is is a nesting place for squirrels, raccoons, armadillos, and both migratory and indigenous sea birds.
SEPTEMBER’S FULL MOON PADDLE
Join us this month for September’s Full Corn Moon (also known as the Barley Moon). During our full moon paddles each month we launch from this historic location of Capone’s Speakeasy. During this paddle, you will be guided around the historic Capone Island. Paddlers often see stingrays, turtle and manatees as the sun begins to set. As we reach out midway point, the moon will begin to rise above the horizon.
We will meet at Island Water Sports for check in at 6:30pm. Park in the lot then follow us to Sullivan Park. Parking is free for three hours if you enter your tag in the meter.
This 1.5 mile paddle is a beginner to intermediate paddle. Participants will receive basic training then head out on the water with our expert instructors. We will begin at dusk and end after the full moon rises.
This paddle sells out monthly. Register now at http://www.islandcamps.com/sup/full-moon-paddle.
Eventbrite – Full Moon Paddle
RELATED
March’s Full Moon aka The Worm Moon
March 7, 2017
In “Events”
Join Us for the June Full Moon Paddle
June 6, 2017
In “Events”
Enjoy the Blessing of the July Full Moon
July 6, 2017
In “Community”
SHARE: RATE:12345
PREVIOUSSalty Crew Rocks N Docks Instagram Fish Off
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Toni
My name is Toni. I have lived in South Florida for most of my life and remember always looking forward to Island Water Sport’s Midnight Madness. IWS has always been family. Growing up with a dad who loved to surf, I naturally loved the water. I have been blessed to work in the skateboarding industry while freelancing for magazines like Eastern Surf Magazine, The Paper, Juxtapose, Reggae Times, and Big Brother. Although I love to dabble in writing, marketing, and geeking out on the internet, my life’s passion is investing in the lives of skateboarders and building skateparks around the world with my family.
REPUBLISHED WITH PERMISSION BY DEERFIELD-NEWS.COM
