WHITEHALL-HARD TO MISS: Feel Rich For A Day
You say you’ve never been to “Whitehall“, the winter home of Henry Flagler, the man who brought the railroad to Florida? This truly impressive Beaux Arts estate was built by Mr. Flagler as a wedding present for his wife. Let me know if you don’t say “Wow!” as you pull up in front. Among the many treasures to behold, Mr. Flagler’s custom-built personal railroad car is something you have to see in person in order to truly appreciate the craftsmanship and detail–the height of luxury at the time, words cannot do it justice.
“Whitehall” is well worth the drive to Palm Beach
–your route can take you past the many mansions on the ocean, starting with Mar-a-Lago, a home so large Donald Trump turned it into a Private Club. Take I-95 and get off going west on Southern Boulevard, when you hit A-1-A (aka South Ocean Bouelvard), go north (look for the distinctive tower of Mar-a-Lago immediately on your left).
When South Ocean ends, it curves to the left, east, at Barton Avenue. Follow Barton to Cocoanut Row and turn right. Whitehall will be on your left, the famous The Breakers hotel on your right (where Prince Charles sometimes comes to play polo). Before you head home, stop on Worth Avenue for lunch and some shopping. Try not to feel bad if you valet your car, and the key board is posted “Rolls Royce”, “Bentley”, and “Other”. (Take Cocoanut Row south and it dead ends at Worth; when you leave go north again and Royal Palm will take you off Palm Beach and into West Palm Beach.)
EASY TO MISS: Bonnet House, The Fort Lauderdale Treasure You’ve Driven By 1,000 Times! Imagine you sailed your yacht along the coast of Florida until you found the perfect spot! You come ashore and build a house! It’s 1893. Fast forward to today and that house is still there. Bonnet House is located on A-1-A just south of Sunrise Boulevard.
Go to Virtual Tourist’s SeaBreezeUSA for this view
(<–that’s Sunrise Bouelvard!). The House was owned by 2 families and the 2nd were artists. Their creativity and originality is evident everywhere. The Bamboo Bar is everyone’s dream of a ‘tiki bar’ to have in their home. Do not visit the site for more photos, go in person and be surprised and delighted!
MORE HISTORIC SOUTH FLORIDA HOMES
The Barnacle Commodore Munroe / $1 per person! • Coconut Grove (Miami)
Cà d’Zan John Ringling • Sarasota
Deering Estate (2 homes) Charles Deering • Cutler Bay (Miami)
The Kampong David Fairchild • Coconut Grove (Miami)
The Winter Estates of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison • Fort Myers
Vizcaya James Deering / FREE last Sunday in September, the 29th!