The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-01-03
KEY WEST WOMEN
Their Homes and Gardens
BY MYRTLE CoSGRoVE
MRS. WALLACE KIRKE'S
HOME

lHG IlOlIlG O1 MIS. " d11dCG
Kirke, 40 Caroline street, is a
striking example of West Indian
type of architecture modified to
meet requirements of Key West
climate. . Spacious verandas run
ming across the front of the house
catch winds of the western sea.
Long, green shutters extending
from ceiling to floor, exclude
glare of summer suns. The ten
orllS of fragrant jasmine Irvine
about the lofty columns. 1t is an
imposing structure, this home of
Jessie Porter Kirke's, as it sits
serenity in the midst of a gay,
tropical garden. The deeds of
the house go back to the grant
of the Island of Cayo Hueso to
Lieutenant Juan Pablo Salas for
meritorious service to the Span
lSh crown. So complicated is
their phraseology that it is i'm
possible tC tell when buildings
were first erected on the site of
the present house. 1t is known,
however, that when it passed in
to the possession of Captain
Carey in 1912, at least one dwell
ing was habitable. To this he
added a two-story front contain
lining five rooms; as such, the
house stands today. The dilapi-
dated slave quarters in the rear
were recently demolished. Only
a gaunt chimney remains-mute
reminder of days that are gone
with the wind. Like many a
mariner who piled the Chinese
Clipper trade, Captain Carey
came under the fascination of
Chinese Chippendale. One no.
tees it in the hand-carved mold
ings, the window and door
frames. The front stairway
with hand-turned mahogany rails
and spindles, steep pitched as the
companion way of a ship, smacks
strongly of the sea. Many times
this house has changed hands,
growing with each transaction, a
little older, a little shabbier.
When purchased in 1885 by the
Kirkes, it was but the shell of its
former self. In their artistic
hands, much of the pristine
beauty has been restored and the
atmosphere of ante-bellum days
regained. Double parlors and a
hall extend across the front of
the house. The furnishings, all
antiques gathered from many
parts of the country, blend into a
perfect whole. An interesting
.mantlepiece carrying out the Chi
nese Chippendale trend, has re-
Gently been added to these
rooms. The tiles of the fire
place, containing actual flower
impressions made and baked in
clay, are an original idea, con-
ceived and carried out by Mr..
Kirke. Outstanding among the
furnishings are two sofas that
once graced the mansion of Mar
tin Van Buren,, eighth President
of the United States. Duplicate
chandeliers with crystal pendants
hang from the ceiling. These are
from an old Havana palace. :.
On either side of the sliding
doors are charming studies of
Chinese girls painted on hand
blown glass. These were a gift
to the late Mrs. William r. Por-
ter from the late Henry M. Flag
Ter, who connected Key West to
the mainland with shining steel
rails. All formality is laid aside
in the dining room. Here, both
tropic and marine motifs are
stressed. The floor, checker
board of green and white squares,
is of cement. Overhead are huge
beams, hand-hewn. Large glass
doors from the old Royal Poin-
ciana Hotel at Palm Beach per-
init an enhancing view of patio
and garden. "A unique feature
of the room is refectory table,
made by Mr.. Kirke of lumber
from the old slave quarters. Tiny