Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Colds' Milk Farm
circa 1850
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, March 21, 2024
1. The Colds' Milk Farm Marker
It is the oldest surviving house on White Street.
At that time, this part of White Street was a dirt road running through open fields.
The 1884 Library of Congress Map of Key West shows that the present house was originally two separate farm buildings.
The Colds' living rooms were in the front in this classic center hall five bay building.
The workers' quarters and kitchen were in the cottage behind.
In the 1890s, both buildings were combined into one.
The farm produced milk and chicle.
In early 1871, Thomas Adams first used chicle (the gummy sap of the sapodilla tree) to replace beeswax as the main ingredient in chewing gum. It was a big success.
Chicle is where the brand name Chiclets came from.
Mr. Cold's sapodilla orchard ran alongside Olivia Street.
The large tree you see on your right is the only sapodilla left of the original orchard.
Private Home. Not open to the public.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 24° 33.437′ N, 81° 47.518′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. Marker is on White Street north of Olivia Street, on
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Yellow Fever (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Peary Court Post Cemetery (about 700 feet away); United States Army Post-Peary Court Burial Grounds (about 800 feet away); Elizabeth Bishop House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shotgun House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Key West Armory (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Key West Armory (approx. 0.2 miles away); Spanish-American War (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, March 21, 2024
2. The Colds' Milk Farm Marker
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, March 21, 2024
3. The Colds' Milk Farm farmhouse
Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 60 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 16, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
