the plush island of Palm Beach is located one of America's most famous addresses. The Kennedy estate, as it was known, is situation along the Atlantic Ocean at 1095 North Ocean Blvd. However, it was not always owned by the Kennedy family.

This home was originally designed by the famous architect, Addison Mizner. In the 1920s, Mizner was the best-known and desired American architect, especially in tropical areas like Florida and California. His style was that of Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival.

The Mediterranean Revival designs were favored by wealthy northern clients, who wanted their own individual ocean-front mansions. The elegant homes were constructed of stone, tile and stucco, with open ventilation to take advantage of the sea breezes. Many had walls around the estates and those were made from lava rock.

It was Rodman Wanamaker, of Philadelphia, PA, a department store tycoon, who had Mizner build his Florida mansion at the northern end on Palm Beach. Wanamaker had his winter home built in 1923 in the Spanish Revival style. It was named 'La Guerida', which means bounty of war. Rodman Wanamaker also had a townhouse on Spruce Street in Philadelphia, a New York residence near Washington Square, a house in and a country home near Jenkintown, Pa.

Due to serious kidney problems, Wanamaker was only able to enjoy his Palm Beach mansion until his death in 1928 in Atlantic City. His family held onto the estate for a few years, but with the economic conditions brought on by the Great Depression, they sold the two-acre property and home in 1933 to Joseph P. Kennedy for $120,000. That was same year Addison Mizner died.

Joe Kennedy has been encouraged by his wife, Rose, to purchase a home on Palm Beach, which was one of her favorite locations to vacation. Joe added an additional wing to the house which was designed by Maurice Fatio.

 

Also put in was a and tennis court for his large family to enjoy. Rose and Joe Kennedy's children spent a great deal of time growing up there, especially during the winter season of December to April. Even a special 'bullpen' was constructed for Joe Kennedy's use. It was a walled off area where he sunbathed and could also be on the telephone to conduct business.

From North Ocean Blvd., looking towards the home, there is very little to see, just an archway with a heavy oak door against a large white wall (where the 1962 Easter pictures were taken). It is 100 feet long and 2-stories with six bedrooms. There was no air-conditioning or central heat in the house, either when Wanamaker or the Kennedys owned it. With 176 feet directly on the ocean and most of the time plentiful sea breezes, the house was comfortable.

Senator wrote his book, Profiles of Courage, at the Palm Beach residence between 1954 and 1955 while recovering from back surgery. With the ocean right there, during certain times the rough ocean waves pounded the seawall spraying seawater everywhere. However, John found it a very relaxing time.

The Palm Beach house was used for vacations, at holiday time and a great place for family get-togethers and of course the family football games. The Kennedy house was not always kept up over the years. There were signs of faded and shabby slipcovers. The family always felt the house was for fun and to relax in, not to be impressive.

It was November 1960 that Joe and Rose Kennedy watched the 1960 Presidential election returns from their Palm Beach residence. Once John Kennedy won, he spent several weeks in Palm Beach to relax after the campaign and to prepare for his presidency.

While at 1096 North Ocean Blvd., John "Jack" Kennedy selected most of his cabinet members and then held press conferences on the patio. He used a good deal of his time in Palm Beach, especially in January 1961, to work on his inaugural address. Jack and Jackie's bedroom was on the first floor with a balcony overlooking the tennis court. Over the next 35 months, the ocean residence would become known as Kennedy's winter White House - even though they stayed at the Paul Mansion nearby.

It was also where on December 19, 1961, that Joseph Kennedy had his massive stroke.

President Kennedy spent his last few days before the Dallas, Texas events of November 22, 1963 in Palm Beach.