The Southernmost House
Key West FL
2013

https://www.southernmosthouse.com/


Built-in 1897 as a 1-bedroom Mansion the Southernmost Mansion was home to Judge Vinning Harris and his wife Florida Curry the youngest daughter of Florida’s first millionaire William Curry. At the time of construction, Florida Curry wanted the best of the best, this is why Thomas Edison himself installed all the electricity in this home, upon leaving Edison left his personal Home Phonograph as a present for the family.
​
During Prohibition (1919-1933) the Mansion served as a “Speakeasy”, many notorious gangsters came through en Route to Havana Cuba. A little-known secret of the home is the Bullet Hole in the front window of the reception salon that was meant for Al Capone. In 1939 the Ramos family purchased the home and continued to operate it as a nightclub called Café Cayo Hueso which hosted such notables as Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Gore Vidal, and Truman Capote. As well as celebrities such as Tallulah Bankhead, Gloria Swanson, Louis Armstrong, and Charles Lindberg. The family then renovated the mansion to become their residence in 1949.
​
The Ramos family originally from Spain, was one of Florida’s oldest merchant families because of their ties to the Spanish Royal family they hosted King Juan Carlos of Spain on serval occasions. In fact, the landing pad was added to the oceanfront deck to accommodate his private helicopter. The family also hosted five United States Presidents; Harry S Truman, Dwight D Eisenhower, John F Kennedy, Richard M Nixon, and James E Carter Jr. The house served as the Ramos-Lopez family residence until 1996 when the mansion was completely renovated to the luxury guest hotel you see today.