The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Preservation Online website recently told of a historic house in Rockledge, Florida, that was saved from the wrecking ball:

Like a castle floating on its own moat, a 114-year-old turreted house in Florida moved a mile by barge two weeks ago, a relocation that saved the structure from demolition.

On Nov. 19, 100 people watched the barge carry the three-story Queen Anne mansion known as the Shepard House, built in 1890 in Rockledge, Fla., down the Indian River, about 50 miles east of Orlando.

"It really is a great story with a happy ending for the house and the residents of central Brevard County," says Drew O'Brien, a Rockledge resident who watched the move.

When local businessman Henry Parrish III heard that a Miami developer wanted to build 10 new houses on the Shepard House property, he bought the historic structure for $10,000. Parrish III paid another $100,000 to relocate the house.

"My idea was radical, like practicing extreme real estate," says Parrish, who watched the move from a boat he rented to give the Shepard family a better view.

"The whole thing was kid of emotional," Parrish says. "It's like a dream come true."

After the house is secured on its new foundation in Cocoa Village, Parrish plans to turn the house into a bed-and-breakfast and café.

The article was written by Margaret Foster.