5. The Great Bend Fronton Jai Alai in Chattahoochee, Florida
Place: Florida’s Chattahoochee
Year: 1978
Price: Total Estate Value = $22 million
This arena in Florida has been vacant for many years. The arena was called the Big Bend Jai Alai Fronton, and it hosted the “fastest game” in the globe. It was also full of risk and gambling. People would wager on the Big Bend players in the notoriously risky Spanish sport of jai alai, which was played in the arena.
Big Bend Jai Alai Fronton @atlasobscura/Pinterest, Chattahoochee, Florida
Stephen Calder, who left a $22 million estate that included the Big Bend, created the area. It was discovered that Calder may have been a highly dishonest businessman, encouraging gambling, holding set games, and even, supposedly, storing suitcases of diamonds and gold everywhere. His estate was contested in probate court for thirteen years.
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