Nov. 29 - The Start of Something Beautiful Called Casa Roma - a podcast by 43 Keys Media

A few days ago, I came across a historic fact mentioning that today, Secretary of State John Foster Dulles was staying at the Casa Roma Motel as he recuperated from cancer. I’d never heard of the Casa Roma Motel and became curious as to why I could not find much information about this old and historic property.    I began digging and could only find scant mentions of the Casa Roma Motel in the newspaper archives. Then today, Nov. 29th, in the Key West Citizen, one of the historical events was   1937: The former United States Biological Station at the east end of Flagler Avenue was sold to Julian Marks, who renamed the property Casa Roma.

Casa Roma was located off South Roosevelt at the foot of Flagler Ave. It was built by julian Makes of the Packard Motor Company in 1936. It was typical of 1930’s Florida Architecture with Cuban tile floors and at various times was visited by Harry Truman, Ernest Hemingway, Richard Nixon and John Foster Dulles. Don Johnson and Barbara Streisand stayed there in the mid-1980’s. It is located on the water with sweeping views of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

March 27, 1940   Far from the noise and dust of the city, out on the eastern tip of the island is the lovely and spacious garden of Mr. and Mrs. Julian J. Marks. From Roosevelt Blvd. one catches an entrancing glimpse of the blue-green water, of a riot of flowers, a wide expanse of green sward and a tall swaying palm tree. But to properly appreciate the splendor and beauty of the extensive grounds, one must ramble along by-paths to view the picturesque lily pond and rock garden, the perfect blending of multiple-hued flowers, the stark simplicity of the swimming pool softened by the masses of velvety petunias. I was in May 1937, that the Marks purchased the four acres of land known as the old US Biological Station.    The Marks were natives of Grosse Point, MI and once they bought the property, plans were drawn up and 3 months later construction began on the house and garden. Of the buildings already in place, one was torn down and the other was renovated and turned into garage and servants’s quarters. The house was a modified Bahamas type architecture and was constructed of concrete blocks and stucco and painted a dazzling white. The tropic motif has be stressed in the long, low, rambling structure. All rooms have outside exposure: floors are tiled and porches screened and enclosed. The house faces the Atlantic Ocean and has a southeast exposure in order to take advantage of the trade winds. A superb view is obtained of the adjacent island of Boca Chica, Cow Key and Stock Island. To the right of the residence is a commodious boat house that accommodate ‘Lady Grace”, the spin and span 38 foot cruiser belonging to the Marks.    Across the canal from the boat house is an inviting cabana and outdoor fireplace ideal for picnics. Due to the fact that the 4 acres are triangular shaped and the house situated at the left instead of the center, balancing and landscaping the grounds has proved to be pretty much of a problem. However, gardening is Mr. Marks hobby and he has proven himself equal to the task. He has gone into the work with great interest and enthusiasm and the results are indeed gratifying. Looking ahead as a true gardener should, he has drawn up the most intricate of plans: the whole having been laid out with mathematical precision.    The first step in preparing the garden was the elimination of hundreds of cork and almond trees with which the land was overrun. Only the graceful coconuts, date and prichardia palms were allowed to remain. The wind, due to the exposed situation of the grounds, has proved to be the most serious drawback to the delicate tress and plants. As a first aid, hundreds of small Australian pine seedlings from the Marks nursery have been planted along the breakwater. They ended up serving as a as both a hedge and a wind break. A feast for the eye is a rock garden to the left of the residence. Growing in the

Further episodes of Today in Key West History

Further podcasts by 43 Keys Media

Website of 43 Keys Media