For the 1910s, James Deering built advanced technologies into Vizcaya. Not only did it have a functioning refrigerator but also was equipped with an automated telephone switching system, a central vacuum unit, an annunciator and an electric dumbwaiter. Was James Deering a geek ahead of his time or just a man accustomed to luxury?
“USE THE REFRIGERATION PRODUCED FOR COOLING PURPOSES”
Letter: October 15th, 1913
From: Francis Burrall Hoffman Jr., Vizcaya
To: James Deering, Vizcaya’s Owner
Reveal Transcript
James Deering, Esq.
# 1480 Lake Shore Drove., Chicago, IL.
Dear Mr. Deering, I have your three notes of October 13th, regarding letters from Messrs. Richardson and Gratigny. Regarding outlets for electric fans and the possible installation of artificial cooling apparatus. Regarding the two former subjects, I have noted the information and your wishes and will plan the work accordingly. Regarding the cooling apparatus, I am familiar with this subject, having studied it previously for other buildings. As you probably know, it means the installation of an artificial ice plant, with which you can either manufacture ice or use the refrigeration produced for cooling purposes. The same plant also, as you noted, can be used for refrigeration in your ice boxes, and so eliminate the use of ice, manufacturing only enough for your needs for drinking water and similar purposes.
-1-
A refrigeration plant on a small scale is not particularly extravagant, although for a large plant it runs into a little money. If you would let me know the rooms which you would care to have cooled, I will get definite estimates for the work. In the meantime, I will investigate the matter further, and get tentative estimates on the assumption that you would use the refrigeration in all of your ice boxes and would cool your principal enclosed rooms on the first and second floors.
Very truly yours, F.B. Hoffman Jr.
Copy to Paul Chalfin, Esq.
-2-
SETTING UP THE ICE MACHINE IN THE GARDEN
Letter: February 14th, 1918
From: (Assumed) Paul Chalfin, Vizcaya’s Artistic Director
To: James Deering, Vizcaya’s Owner
Reveal Transcript
James Deering. Esq.,
Vizcaya, Miami, Florida.
Dear Mr. Deering: You wrote a note to Paist on December 25th asking him not to proceed with the installation of the second ice machine in the garden vault until you and I discussed the matter again. It is a discussion which has never taken place. I am merely writing this note to say I think I had better be with you in Miami when we do finally discuss this matter, although I am quite sure we can obviate the noise by placing the machine in the vault. I am ending the bill of Peet & Powers for rewinding the magnet to Mr. Louderback with my O.K. I think with you that these bills should have come to me, but this detail was not arraigned for, and I supposed it seemed natural to Scott to send them to you. I turned them back to Paist so as to be sure that the obligation to pay was ours, and to have it checked up. He has returned them to you because such was the case, and I am sending them now to Mr. Louderback with my O.K., and a copy of final phrase of your letter of February 9th.
Sincerely yours.
A COUPLE DAYS LATER, DEERING REPLIED TO THE ICE MACHINE IDEA
Letter: February 18th, 1918
From: James Deering, Vizcaya’s Owner
To: Paul Chalfin, Vizcaya’s Artistic Director
Reveal Transcript
Dear Mr. Chalfin:
Replying to your letter of the 14th inst. I would say that the idea of placing the second ice machine in the vault is certainly a good one. I should have asked to have this done before this time, except for the cost of doing it. I think that under the circumstances it can rest until the other new things are taken up.
Yours very truly, JD (signed)
Photos of Vizcaya's Early Technologies
