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La Querida (loosely translated to "the dear one"), often erroneously referred to as La Guerida, is a Mediterranean Revival-style residence in Palm Beach, Florida. Built by famous architect Addison Mizner in 1923, La Querida has been owned by several notable individuals, including department store magnate Rodman Wanamaker, politician Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. –father of President John F. Kennedy, and United States senator Ted Kennedy – businessman John K. Castle, and real estate investor Jane Goldman. The residence is perhaps most noted for being the Winter White House during the presidency of John F. Kennedy. La Querida is located at 1095 N. Ocean Boulevard.
History
Notorious South Florida architect Addison Mizner built La Querida in 1923 at a cost reported to be $50,000. Rodman Wanamaker of Philadelphia, heir to the Wanamaker's department store fortune, became the first owner. Following his death in 1928, all of Wanamaker's estate except for annuities was transferred to a trust. Wanamaker had a fortune of $75 million upon his death. That September, the home suffered major damage during the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane, with The Palm Beach Post noting that "No chance remains of again utilizing the home of Rodman Wanamaker III, unless it is almost entirely rebuilt". Charlker and Lund, Inc. began restoring La Querida in early October under a $60,000 contract with the expectation that work would be complete on January 1, 1929. The renovation also included the addition of a stronger seawall and a sunroom, as well as the enlargement of the living room and servants' quarters.
The house remained mostly vacant in the winter seasons of 1931-1932 and 1932-1933, except for a few visits by Mary Brown Warburton, the daughter of Wanamaker. The family sold La Querida to Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. for $120,000 on June 30, 1933. At the time, a description in The Palm Beach Post noted that the property included 176 feet (54 m) of oceanfront, six master bedrooms, five bathrooms, and "spacious living quarters." In the 1930s, James Roosevelt (eldest son of United States president Franklin D. Roosevelt) and his then-wife Betsey stayed at La Querida a few times, such as in 1934 and 1935.
See also
References
- Dorothy Jacks (September 16, 2019). "Town of Palm Beach Values: Then and Now" (PDF). Government of Palm Beach County. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
- "Estate of Rodman Wanamaker Left in Trust Except for Annuities". The Palm Beach Post. March 29, 1928. p. 6. Retrieved May 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Palm Beach Hurricane—92 Views". Chicago, Illinois: American Autochrome Company. 1928. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
- "Winter Homes at Beach Suffer Heavily; Hotels are Hard Hit". The Palm Beach Post. September 19, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved April 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Work on Wanamaker Home is Under Way". The Palm Beach Post. October 7, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved May 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Wanamaker Palm Beach Estate Is Bought by Joseph P. Kennedy". The Palm Beach Post. July 1, 1933. p. 1. Retrieved May 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Palm Beach, Joseph P. Kennedy, Mrs. Joseph P. Kennedy, children, James Roosevelt, Betsey Cushing Roosevelt, Easter Sunday, 1 April 1934". John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. April 1, 1934. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
- "James Roosevelt Flies to Florida: He Is Guest in Palm Beach of J.P. Kennedy, Who Came by Plane From New York". The New York Times. December 4, 1935. p. 30. Retrieved April 17, 2021.