1035 Biltmore Place - Built 1925
Uncovering Lakeland's Hidden Histories: The Story of 1035 Biltmore Place!
Did you know some of Lakeland's most iconic homes hold fascinating stories within their walls? We love digging into the past, and today we're thrilled to share the history of another grand century-old home, 1035 Biltmore Place! This beautiful residence is one of a small cluster of substantial homes that defined the early development of north Biltmore, built in 1925 alongside its neighbors at 1038 Biltmore Place and 532 S. Wilson Avenue.
While today the area is fully developed, lots extending east and west remained open until the late 1940s, and some even into the 1980s. This pocket of grand homes truly represents the pioneering spirit of Biltmore's first residents.
The Fitzgeralds: From New York to Biltmore Park's Developer
The story of 1035 Biltmore Place begins with Richard and Madeline Fitzgerald, an early couple with a unique and direct connection to the subdivision's developer. The Fitzgeralds arrived in Lakeland from New York in 1925, as Richard was the office manager for the William P. McDonald Construction Company—the very company responsible for developing the Biltmore Park Subdivision.
While promoting the new lots, Richard acquired Lot 7 of Block 4 and had this lovely home constructed. He never lived here, as he was residing at 317 S. Ingraham Avenue at the time. A loyal employee, his subsequent homes were all within walking distance of McDonald’s own residence at 1122 E. McDonald Avenue. By 1931, Richard's career had grown to include the roles of secretary and treasurer for McDonald's asphalt business. McDonald had since started the Macasphalt Corp and McDonald Mortgage & Realty Co. After less than a decade in Lakeland, the Fitzgeralds left town around 1934. He sold the newly constructed property to Jack and Vera Yetter and their family on December 31, 1926. Though I believe the Yetters were already in the home by that year, perhaps renting, as they are listed as the occupants for the 1926 city directory.
At the time, the home's address was quite different. It was originally known as 1011 Biltmore Avenue. Many readers may know that the city standardized its addressing in 1924, but as Biltmore Park was still under construction, it missed that initial re-addressing. This led to address headaches for decades, as street numbers ranging from the 600s to the 1100s were scattered non-sequentially on this short stretch of road. Finally, in 1981, north Biltmore addresses were reviewed and adjusted to ensure consistency, and the street was standardized as a "Place" rather than an "Avenue," giving this home its current address of 1035 Biltmore Place.
A Short Stay and a Long-Term Legacy
The Yetters had three daughters from their prior time in Jacksonville and their son was born right here in Lakeland in 1927, starting his life in the new family home. Jack was a salesman, first selling real estate while they lived on Palmetto Avenue, and later joining our good friends at the Calvin & Overstreet real estate company, a firm we've discussed in previous posts. Business must have been good, as he moved his family into 1035 Biltmore Place. However, the struggling real estate market of the era eventually took its toll. Jack soon began representing a start-up motor company that didn't succeed, leading to his family's relocation to New York after only about five years in the home.
The next owner, Abraham Levy (of Levy's Jewelry Store), also only lived in the home for a few years, selling it in the early 1930s to Chester and Norris Robinson. Chester, a tall, stout man with blue eyes and brown hair, was born in Akron, Ohio, in 1896. He married Norris Harvey two years later and the couple moved to Lakeland. Chester was not only a veteran of WWI but also of the Spanish-American War! The Robinsons would go on to hold the "champion belt" for anchor owners, residing in the home for nearly fifty years! When they moved in, Chester was a Project Engineer for the State Road Department, but by the time he retired in 1950, he was a Civil Engineer with the county's road department. Tragically, he passed away only a few years later, leaving Norris to live in the home for the next three decades. Of note, the 1940 census recorded that the Robinsons owned the home, valued at a modest $4,700.
A New Generation of Stewards
Norris Robinson finally sold the house in 1982 to the Don Raabe Construction company, which quickly flipped it to Cleon and Anita Holcomb who in turn, flipped it to David and Cynthia Robson the same year, who ultimately became the third-longest resident family, remaining for over fifteen years. They sold the property to the current owners, Howard and Amanda Ellis, in 1998. The Ellis' are now pushing thirty years in this home and may be the next family to hold the champion belt as it enters its second century of life.