Key West Horror Story No. 8

Just like reading the opening credits of each new episode of Fargo this is a true story. Everything told here really happened. This is the simple tale of the house I bought 22 years ago and the events that led to a trip to the psychiatric hospital and later to death at my Key West house.

There were three primary reasons I bought my house:  it was located in the Casa Marina Area of Key West which was close enough that I could ride my bike to work or to the beach. It had one of the largest private pools on the island. And it had a small (and legal) apartment which I could rent to help pay for taxes, insurance, and have a little left over for lunch money.

The house was located on a very large corner lot about four blocks from the ocean. The area is lush with huge palms and tropical foliage everywhere. Most of the streets do not have sidewalks and gutters to the feel is more rural the urban. The front door of the apartment was set back thirty feet or more from the front gate and hidden from view by a dense tropical garden and a small pond inhabited by fish and frogs. I regularly removed as many tadpoles as possible to keep the frog population in check, but the tadpoles ate the mosquito larva so it all worked out okay.

One day I decided to clean and repaint the pond and to make it into a KOI pond. I had a KOI pond years earlier when I lived in Denver. (I had a greenhouse of sorts. The fish lived and thrived there. My dog loved to watch stare at them and imagined getting to catch and eat one someday.)

I used a bucket to remove the stinky brown water and bailed it into the foliage. Then I got out my pressure washer and began to power wash away the years of scum on the sides of the cement pond when all of a sudden I screamed so loudly that the tenant bolted from the apartment to find what had happened. I was grasping the fingers of my left hand to stop the blood. I had been holding the nozzle end with my left hand directing water and used by right hand to regulate the water pressure. The water accidentally cut deeply into finger. The tenant ran back inside her place, grabbed a paper towel, and wrapped it around my finger. She offered to call an ambulance. I thanked her and said I would drive myself to the hospital.

I ran to my part of the house, grabbed my keys and wallet, and got into my car and raced down Flagler Avenue. I turned left on Kennedy Drive and drove a block or so and then ran inside Depoo Hospital. It was like an episode of THE TWILIGHT ZONE: nobody was there - in the hospital. Not a sole.  I remember walking through the entry way looking for someone, anyone. Then some man emerged. As I recall he was wearing hospital green. Then someone else came out - maybe a nurse. I remember a woman. They saw the dishtowel around my hand. I said something and one of them responded NO. NO. NO. And then they talked more in Spanish. Oh this truly was THE TWILIGHT ZONE.  Finally someone else came out and told me that I had gone to the wrong place. Depoo is not a medical hospital. I needed to go the hospital by the golf course - of course, the one by the golf course. Where was the golf course? This was before the Key West Golf Club Community was built so I had no idea where to go. Later I learned that Depoo Hospital was our local psychiatric hospital.

When I got to the real medical hospital the intake lady asked for my identification, insurance card, and so forth. She told me to have a seat and wait. I did. I stuck my arm up into the air to prevent what blood I had left in me from dripping onto the floor. It seemed like I waited twenty minutes or longer to get inside the trauma area. Finally a doctor came in. He recognized me from the gym.  He asked what happened, sewed me up, and sent me back home.

Soon after my wound healed I went back over and finished cleaning the pond. I patched a couple of holes to plug a leak. I then painted the surface.  I bought a new pump and some chemical to treat the water so that the new fish would not die from the chlorine. Everything was ready for the fish.

I bought two or three large KOI and a lot of feeder fish plus several water plants. I acclimated the water and later added all the fish and water plants. The pond looked really cute. The tentant came out and thanked me.

Back then I was working at Prudential Knight Realty on Duval Street. I routinely road my bike to the office. I road my bike to work the day after I stocked the KOI pond. As I neared me house that afternoon I noticed an egret strutting around out in the middle of the street. We don't have much traffic in my area. I remember thinking "The Fish". I raced around to the apartment entrance, opened the gate, and headed toward the pond.  The tenant came out and said something like "Gary I came out as soon as I saw it". (Meaning the egret.) "They are all gone." The KOI were gone. Eaten alive. Dead. I didn't know or even think about a bird eating the fish. My fish in Denver had never been exposed to anything that could eat them except my dog. And she knew better.  Those fish had lived their lives just fine until I got involved. It was my fault. I decided then - nevermore. I tore out the pond and planted some more foliage. You can't kill anything green in Key West.

Separation Anxiety

The little kid is wee me and the bigger guy is my big brother. The photo was taken on the lawn at the now razed Presbyterian Hospital in Denver in about 1948 or 1949.  My mother worked at the hospital as a switchboard operator back then, but today's blog relates to a different visit there and how it impacted my life forever.

I was about two years old when I was admitted Presbyterian Hospital to test for a heart murmur. Readers may be skeptical of my recollection, but it is real. I have seen it in my mind's eye for decades. It was nighttime. My parents came to visit me. I was held and comforted. Then they started to leave me. I begged them to take me with them.They left me alone.  I cried myself to sleep. I was a prisoner inside an iron crib.

Google is really something. Put in a word or phrase and you get to see things from your present or your past. The above photo shows a hospital crib like the one where I was held - except I was much smaller than the boy shown in the photo. I was trapped inside that iron crib. I could not escape. I was too young to reason.

In later years I was told I was in the hospital for testing.  I don't think I was there very many days. But it was an eternity to tiny me. While I do not have nightmares over the incident, I remember it to this day and feel again the sense of abandonment that the experience left me with. 

A few weeks ago I saw a Senator, or Congressman, or someone from the Trump Administration was on television discussing the "immigrant children" who have been separated from their parents who are being held in detention facilities. The man said something to the effect that these kids are better off than many American children because these kids have three meals a day and are in clean facilities.  He seemed to express a disdain for the children because they were being treated better than American children. Maybe they are, but I think not. I can never imagine a tiny child feeling good about being separated from his mother. And as big and tough as a 14 year old boy can be and as sassy at a 14 year old girl might be, I am confident many revert to children when their world is ripped apart no matter the cause. The press is now referring to some of these children as "orphans".  I bet that will happen to some. 

Who knows how these immigrant children who have been separated from their families by the American Government will feel about and maybe act toward or against the United States in the years ahead. Whatever they may feel or do, I am sure they won't forget it.

532 Fleming Street - Old Town - Key West

532 Fleming Street - Key West - April 2013

532 Fleming Street - Key West - 1912

The house pictured above looks pretty much the same in 2013 as it did back in 1912 when the colored post card was made. Back then the property was not a "house" but was instead the Louise Maloney Hospital.

Thank God that when other towns across America were allowing old houses and historic buildings to be torn down to erect new structures, Key West preserved properties like this. I found a photo of 532 Fleming Street taken from the parking lot next door which is where the world famous Faustos' Food Emporium is located today.

The red brick building at 500 Simonton Street (photographed in 1965) was the old corner drug store. That makes sense with the hospital located next door. 504 Simonton Street (below) became part of the hospital as well.

I did a quick internet search and learned a brief history of the three properties which were once owned by the Maloney family which later became the Spottswood family. CLICK HERE to view a brief history of the Spottswood Family which mentions the Louise Maloney Hospital. CLICK HERE to read a brief discussion of the three building complex. A member of the Spottswood family still resides at 500 Simonton Street today.

The current owner of 532 Fleming Street commissioned local artist Ronny Bailey to create a depiction of the former Louise Maloney Hospital. I was offered the opportunity to photograph the piece yesterday morning. A crowd had assembled to gaze at the new piece. Everyone was in awe of Ronny's creation. Please take a couple of minutes to view a few of the photos.

Ronny Bailey is a fourth generation conch that spent 30 years of his life restoring many of the old houses in Key West. A few years ago he started fooling around with some salvaged Dade County Pine and created his first new old house replica. His wife came home and exclaimed "I didn't know you could do that!" Ronny replied "Neither did I." And so began his new career as artist-carpenter where he creates miniature near replicas of real houses in Key West using salvaged lumber. Ronny stresses that he only uses old salvaged wood to construct the houses. He doesn't paint the pieces. Instead he relies on the ravages of our sun and the weather to create the natural patina that make each piece look so genuine. Ronny's inner artist comes out when he adds a bit of whimsy to his work such as a rooster or a cat napping.

Since the 532 Fleming Street was commissioned by the owner, Ronny agreed to paint that piece to show the original glory of the house. The dog, cat, and whimsy were not permitted, but Ronny did manage to keep in the three little words that are the hallmark of his blessed life.

CLICK HERE to view more photos of 532 Fleming Street as well as 500 and 504 Simonton Street as they appear today. I added a couple of photos of art created by another of my favorite artists, Rick Worth, who did a rendering of 500 Simonton Street.

There are a lot of artists in Key West. There is only one Ronny Bailey!

918 Southard Street # 204 - Old Town - Key West

Just listed by Preferred Properties, that is where I work but this is not my listing, 918 Southard Street Unit #204 in Southard Square Condominiums. The listing Realtor describes the property like this:

"Unique two bedroom two bath condo with a tree house living style in Old Town Key West, within walking distance of wonderful restaurants, wild Duval Street and the historic Seaport. The residence's interior views lush, tropical gardens, a sparkling pool and the condo's private club house. This two-story home is an open floor plan with natural skylighting and a spiral staircase. The guest bedroom and bath is located on the living level. Upstairs is the master suite with bath, separate sitting area for reading or napping, and a second balcony. Other amenities include central air, a washer/dryer closet, storm shutters and a total sense of security, coming and going via off-street parking with lighted entrances and exits. Come take a look today!"

Southard Square Condominiums was built in 1987. I remember hearing that part of the 918 Southard building was the former location of the De Poo Hospital. I dug down into the bottom of my old shoebox and found a photo of the De Poo Hospital that was taken in 1965.  Then I found another photo of 912 Southard which was razed so that the modern condos could be built. I don't think our Historic Architectural Review Commission would allow a similar fate to a historic house today. It is interesting to compare and contrast the two styles of architecture from the 19th and 20th Centuries.  I also took the color photos below which show the "renovated De Poo Hospital" as it looks today and the front of the condo development which would have been the location of the smaller sawtooth house that stood at 912 Southard. (There are several houses with almost identical architectural details as 912 Southard further east on Southard and around the corner on Grinnell Streets.)

918 Southard Street in 1965

912 Southard Street in 1965

Today Southard Square is a stable condominium community with just 16 units most of which are owner occupied. A few units, such as #204, are rented as monthly vacation rentals. The entrances to  Unit # 204 is located just off Griffin Lane which runs perpendicular to Southard midway back from the front entrance to the condominium main entrance. 

The club house or community room

There are just 16 units in this phase at Southard Square. The buildings are each a bit different as are each of the units. No cookie cutter community here. The units share a big beautiful sunny pool plus a nice little club house. A large deck wraps around  the club house allowing residents to follow the sun or stay in the shade. Each unit has an assigned off street parking spot.

Window above is the sitting niche

View from main level balcony off the Living Room

Unit # 204 viewed from across the pool

Unit #204 is located on the second floor of the east building. It has 1200 sq ft of living space on the second floor and third floor combined. The main floor has a guest bedroom and bath located near the front entrance. A hallway leads to the kitchen with extra high ceiling that rises to the roof. The combined living and dining area are at the rear. Sliding doors open onto the covered balcony that overlooks the pool off to west. A beautiful spiral staircase leads to the master bedroom and bath on the third floor. A "bridge" leads from the bedroom area over to a little sitting niche. The bridge looks down onto the kitchen below. A window from the niche also looks down to the kitchen and further into the living area. This place is pretty darned impressive.

View from Master Bedroom Balcony

Master bedroom with French doors that open onto private deck

The "bridge" from bedroom to the sitting niche

The best views, however, are from the decks off the living area and the master bedroom. Unlike some condo complexes (whose names I shall not mention nor infer) with decks that provide no privacy, you can lounge on either deck in your altogether and drink your morning coffee or nurse your favorite adult beverage. The views are so peaceful.

Southard Square Condominium Unit #204 is offered at $680,000. CLICK HERE   to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. Or you can CLICK HERE to view MORE pics I took.

Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing for you. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

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918 Southard Street #101, Key West, Florida

Just listed but not by me, 918 Southard Street #101, Key West, Florida. This is private and spacious first floor unit tucked away from the other units in popular Southard Square Condominiums located in the very heart of Old Town. The listing Realtor describes this property thus:

"Charming condo located in the highly desirable Southard Square Condominiums, this ground level unit offers privacy and convenience in a tropical paradise. With a recently updated bathroom and flooring, this unit's open floor plan offers a comfortable and spacious area to enjoy family and friends while preparing meals or enjoying the breeze on the patio. This thoughtfully planned community has wandering walkways and paths that guide you through the gardens to the large shared pool and clubhouse perfect for small gatherings. This monthly vacation rental has a proven history as an income producer. Convenient Old Town location is close to restaurants and Historic Seaport and includes a dedicated off-street parking space."

Southard Square Condominiums was built in 1987. I remember hearing that part of the 918 Southard building was the former location of the De Poo Hospital. I dug down into the bottom of my old shoebox and found the black and white photo taken in 1965 of the De Poo Hospital. Then I found another photo of a house next door at 912 Southard Street which was taken down so that the modern condominiums could be built. I doubt that our Historic Architectural Review Commission (HARC) would allow a similar fate to a historic house today. It is interesting to compare and contrast the two styles of architecture from the 19th and 20th Centuries.  I took the color photos below which show the "renovated De Poo Hospital" as it looks today.  The front of the condo development now sits where 912 Southard Street was once located. Several nearly identical houses to 912 Southard Street still exist just to the east and also around the corner from 5 Brothers Grocery on at the corner of Southard and Grinnell Street.)

918 Southard Street in 1965

912 Southard Street in 1965

 

Today Southard Square is a stable condominium community with just 16 units most of which are owner occupied. A few units, such as #101, are rented as monthly vacation rentals. The entrance to  Unit # 101 is located just to the left of the main gated entrance shown immediately above. The main bricked pathway leads through the landscaped courtyard to the huge pool located in the middle of the property.  The pool is very large and provides ample opportunities for sunning most of the day. There is also abundant deck area so that non-sun worshipers can lay by the 20' X 40'pool but not get zapped by the Key West sun rays.

The club house or community room

The historic buildings and the newer buildings are each different as are each of the residential units. This is no cookie cutter community here. Each unit has an assigned off street parking spot. Unit #101 is located at the front of the easternmost building. It has a private outdoor sitting area tucked behind tropical foliage.

If you have traveled to Key West several times and stayed at one of the many Shipyard Condomiums, you will probably appreciate the fact that this one bedroom unit is just a bit larger than the typical two bedroom Shipyard units.  Here the kitchen and living areas are open. There's a breakfast bar for casual dining. Notice also the sofas can be converted into sleepers for the occasion guest.

The monthly condo association fees at $667 and cover building maintenance, common area and pool maintenance, building insurances, trash removal, and basic cable TV. The property is professionally managed as well.

5 Brothers Grocery - half a block away

Mangia-Mangia up on the corner at Margaret Street

Michael's Steak House also on nearby Margaret Street

Key West Seaport - a five minute walk down Grinnell or Margaret Street

The pool - a one minute walk out the front door

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and more listing photos of this unit. This one bedroom, one bath first floor unit is offered for sale at $500,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this monthly vacation rental. This unit is constantly booked so advance appointments are mandatory. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.