NEIGHBORHOODS
27
free to soar as I played, and where each
tree had its own character and provided
different climbing challenges.
“I spent my days with my cat Thomas,
exploring, riding my bicycle, climbing
and coming home with my pockets
bulging with the guavas, rose apples
and tangerines that grew in profusion
on the neighborhood trees.”
ST. LUCIE ESTATES TODAY
St. Lucie Estates Inc. continued to
operate until early 1931 when Carroll
Dunscombe gave up land development
and became a lawyer. He practiced law
in Stuart and died in 1976.
The legacy of St. Lucie Estates is
largely its historic architecture and landscaping.
Original houses are lovingly
maintained, some dating back 90 years
or so. Landscaping remains diverse and
lush, including the colossal mango trees
from Dunscombe’s plantation.
In You Can’t Go Home Again, Thomas
Wolfe’s protagonist finds that too much
has changed in his hometown and attempts
to relive his youth are doomed to
fail. But the essence of St. Lucie Estates
remains intact. Enough to trigger longago
memories and make it feel once
more like home.
ROB DOWNEY
Mediterranean Revival architecture’s predominant influences originated from Spain and Italy, offering
a fantasy aesthetic that evokes exotic seaside villas. No wonder this architectural style appealed
to St. Lucie Estates home buyers wishing to escape the conventions and cold weather of the North.
/www.artisticclosets.com