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 great profusion are masses of petunias, ageratum, African daisies, salvia, snap dragons and candy tuft. Tier by tier they descend in breathtaking beauty to a mirror-like pool teaming with gold fish whose vivid coloring vies in brilliancy with the flowers. Floating on the surface of the pond are lilies in pastel shades, holding aloft their waxy chalices to catch the morning dew. Black and gold butterflied quiver in ecstasy above the scene of surpassing loveliness. To the rear of the house are the plant nursery, chicken yard and vegetable garden. Delicious red strawberries grow here in great profusion , proving to “Doubting Thomases” that these luscious fruits may be grown with ease in Key West. Mr. Marks was prominent for years in the financial world , resigned at the age of 45 as the Comptroller of the Packard Motor Company of Detroit. Mr. Marks resigned, not because of age of ill health, but because he was one of those rare mortals who know when they have accumulated sufficient wealth. He and mrs. Marks wisely decided that henceforth they would spend their remaining years fancy free and untrammeled with business worries. So, they began the search for the ideal spot for a home – a search which took them 42 states and much of Canada. Their prime requisites were boating and beauty of land, sea and sky. Numerous places filling these requirements were found in the North but were rejected because of their exceptionally short season. Looking for all year around facilities they came to Florida, the nations winter playground. Cities of the east and west coast were found to be too commercial for the Marks, who were seeking a haven of rest. Then came the day when they followed the Overseas Highway across coral isles and concrete bridges until the end of the roadway reached. Here they found the southernmost city – the only frost free spot in the 48 states. The long quest had ended for they discovered fishing, swimming, and boating could be indulged in every month of the year. This was an angler’s paradise with 600 edible fish to choose from. They found a city of old world charm, quiet serene and utterly free of the endless hurry and complexities of life. They found gardens of grand tropical flowers, exotic fruits, skies of lapis and sunsets of supreme loveliness. In other words, they found Key West. 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. In doing current searches, I cannot find any mention of this historic property still standing. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that Casa Roma seemed to have turned into the Casa Roma Motel. And it wasn’t until later on in the mid-1980’s that the Casa Roma Foundation showed the sale of some units as well as the swimming pool. Based on the descriptions and locations in these newspaper articles, I am left to assume that what was the historical Casa Roma Motel is now the site of the Coconut Mallory Condominiums.
