Top 10 Awesome Antiques at the Eiko’s Beach House, Treasure Island, Florida

When we think of the Eiko Beach House a few things come to mind, direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, A heated swimming pool, a hot tub that fits eight people, an outdoor fire place and meeting area, a front and back garden filled with fruit trees and a second floor covered porch which over sees the beach and the maritime activities such as dolphins, fishing boats and jet skis. However once inside the slice of paradise, a treasure cove of “Old Florida” and maritime and its historic pasts greet you. The 10 coolest items inside the Eiko Beach House are:

1)      The Art Deco Bathroom on the Second Floor. Complete with period bath tub and shower, sink, toilet and porthole in place of a window.  This bathroom evokes the glamourous bygone days of the 1920’s and 1930’s.

2)      In the dining area an authentic underwater divers helmet is situated overlooking the dining table.  This helmet salutes the sponge diving heritage of Pinellas County and more specifically Tarpon Springs.

3)      Speaking of the 1930’s tucked away overlooking the ground floor game room is a Prohibition Era authentic Florida “ Moon- Shine Still” . Next to it is a beer keg from the same era , one which sold beer at speakeasys  through this turbulent but exciting era.

4)      The game room boasts a genuine pinball machine which is similar to the 1970’s TV show Happy Days. There also is a Pac Man game with other  original 1980 and 1990 video games. This room brings back childhood memories for those of us who remember the 1960,-1990’s.

5)      As one enter the beach house from the driveway, what looks like an umbrella stand is really another unique aspect of Florida history. The brass cylinder object is actually a 5 inch cannon shell fired at a German submarine off the coast of Naples Florida during World War 2. The armed freighter Baha California fired several shots before it was sunk  in 1942. This is one of the shell that was recover off the floor of the Gulf of Mexico.

6)      Situated next to the diving helmet are a number of historic items including a wooden  bullet crate marked DUNEDIN when this sleepy Florida town  in Pinellas County hosted a Marine amphibious base during the second World War. A bottle found off the coast of Florida being over 100 years old, old gauges, locks and pulleys acquired at antique shops in the Pinellas County area.

7)      Displayed throughout the Eiko Beach House are old photographs, posters and advertisements which represent old Florida. My favorite  photos are of paddle wheeled  steam boats which traversed the slow winding rivers of Florida in the late 1800’s.

8)      On the porch nautical lights (in working order), ships compass, life preserver and the show piece of the porch…an authentic cannon mounter of the railing overlooking the Gulf! This item makes an excellent prop as children create their own sequel to Pirates of the Caribbean.

9)      Under the porch a large hot tub is situated but at night is illuminated by an original ships lantern. This gives the guest of the beach house an old world feeling as they plunge the turbulent waters of the churning 8 person hot tub.

10)   I think the “coolest” item is the hot/cold water outdoor shower complete with a cedar wood privacy screen. It is possible to shower  while Watching nature from your area but not allowing nature to look back at you!

There you have it, these are my favourite items at Eiko Beach House. We would love to hear from you which objects you think should make the top 10 items in Eiko Beach House.