· Open -

(1895) - 1922

· Owners -

(George W Storter began entertaining tourists who came in by yacht in his house).

Barren Collier founded the Rod and Gun Club by adding to the house that was already acting as an inn. He ran it as a private club.

· Stars - Millions*************** - Overhead @ night time

· Guests -

Presidents Roosevelt / Truman / Eisenhower / Hoover / Nixon & Bush Snr / Al Capone / John Wayne / Ernest Hemingway / Burl Ives / Gypsy Rose Lee / Kate Jackson / Burt Reynolds / Sally Field / David Carradine / Jack Nicklaus / Sean Connery / Danny Glover / Joe Pesci / Phi Donahue & Marlo Thomas / Mick Jagger and many more over the years

History -

Everglades City is over 1,000 years old and the Club is built on the original structure that the original white settler lived in 1864. It was originally built as a lodge for fur traders.

In 1922 Barren Collier bought up most of south west Florida including this property which he ran as a private club. He hosted international dignitaries and several presidents here. He made his money from advertising and then became a developer. He built Everglades City - it was his town.

It was a company town for the men working on his pet project the Tamiami Trail, a road built across the Everglades to connect Miami and Tampa Bay - something that people didn't think could be achieved.

In 1972 it was bought by the Bowen family which still run it today. It was abandoned and ready to be condemned before they stepped in to save it

· Signature -

It's like walking through a time warp into old Florida - the furniture is original

· Rooms -

17 rooms in rental cottages @ $216 - the original rooms in the club aren't up to scratch enough to be rented out

· Tales -

This was THE place to eat back in the day. It's menu is displayed in the museum and includes Floridan classics like Stone Crab and Key Lime Pie

In 1960 the man who bought the club in 1972 was driving across the Everglades and a hurricane had brought a tree down blocking his path. On the other side of the tree was another man who's route was blocked. They decided to just swap cars and continue on their way. Mr Bowen kept going and ended up at the Rod and Gun Club.

In 1983 federal agents arrested more than 100 people in Everglades City on a marijuana bust. Fishermen were ferrying it through the maze of 10,000 islands. It came from Colombia. Soon they were dobbing their friends in and a lot of people had some prison time.

· Claim to Fame -

When the Everglades National Park opened in 1947 a special lunch was held here attended by President Harry S Truman

Teddy Roosevelt was a member

· Innovations -

Free ice for Coolers

· Feature -

It is the western gate way to the Everglades National Park

Stuffed otters, deer, alligators, panthers, fish, and assorted other critters

Elegant Chandeliers

· View -

Sunrise and sunset from the porch / River Views

· Facilities -

Large heated and screened swimming pool / public boat ramp / screened porch with water views / meeting rooms / Helicopter landing facilities / parking and docking for boats / tennis courts / Boat rental / Fishing guides 

· Unique -

Classic Hunting Lodge decor - polished wood and stuffed animals.

The lobby still looks the same as it does in the pictures in the museum across the road

· Restaurants -

169 seat restaurant overlooking the Barron River

Stone Crab from October 15 to May 15

Cajun, seafood and swamp cuisines

For US$14.95 they'll cook up your catch for you served with salad, veggies and potato

They still have Key Lime Pie and Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie as well

· Bars -

2 bar lounges

Have a cocktail  on the porch watching the sun go down

· Sights -

Across the road is the Everglades Museum (Free) / Fishing / Airboats / Swamp buggies / Eco-tours / Kayaking and Canoeing trails / Boat tours / Hiking / Ochopee Post Office - smallest in the country / bicycle trails / Bird watching / Bay City Walking Dredge / Tamiami Scenic Drive / The Everglades National Park / Visit nearby Indian Reservations

· Extra -

See New Orleans to Key West and Key West to New York in 'USA'