WHEN YOU THINK OF HOMES in Florida, you almost immediately envision a three-bedroom, two-bath home with a garage, sprinkler system and a lanai.

But a century ago, you’d have been grateful if that house had electricity and indoor plumbing and doors and windows strong enough to keep rodents, snakes and alligators at bay — forget air conditioning.

Vizcaya

From Fort Myers, we travel south along the Tamiami Trail, past Naples, and on to Miami, then head down U.S. 1 to Coconut Grove.

It was there that James Deering built his own version of a palazzo on Biscayne Bay.