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.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Keys. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
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 (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
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 367 times since then and 26 times this year. 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.
