While on that memory lane drive, we hopped over the bridge over the bay to Davis Island, a cozy waterfront super laid back community that was built in the 40′s and 50′s. Davis Island, when first built up was populated with deco style Florida homes, some pretty Mediterranean influenced medium sized homes and buildings, and lots of charming ranch style houses.
The best part was the tiny village center, home to a small market we referred to as “Pete’s”, a greasy spoon Greek restaurant, a pharmacy, 7-Eleven, and an ice cream parlor, all within driving distance for me on my dirt bike. I have grown to love and appreciate ranch style homes. I love the way they ramble, their neat linear lines and their one story practicality.
Pictured is the house I was born in. It doesn’t look half as pretty as it did when mom kept the garden, but it’s not too shabby (Mom begs to differ…) These are the types of houses that surrounded us then, but not anymore…
What is sad and appalling is the number of charming ranches and original homes that have been knocked down in exchange for cheap and gaudy Mediterranean monstrosities. They are literally taking over this sweet little island like gigantic monsters! One member of this new club is Mr. Derek Jeter, whose home resembles a small hotel, and is locally referred to as St. Jetersburg, as if it has its own zip code.
The village center has also grown and grown, and now has several eating options, nail salons and tons more, which is perhaps a good thing. The unsavory 7-Eleven has been renovated, Pete’s is long gone, and new local shoppes have moved in. But these houses, why, why, why???!!!
This is one case where on my opinion, true charm has been traded in for raw square footage, with many sacrifices involved. Namely charm, quality and appropriateness of size. Well, they say no man is an island. Hmmm….
