The late twentieth century saw a revival of interest in the heritage of Old Florida, and with it, a rediscovery of the Everglades Rod and Gun Club. In the 1970s, the lodge was acquired by the Richards family, who undertook efforts to restore and maintain its structure while preserving its character. Under their stewardship, the club’s reputati

The architectural and aesthetic qualities of the Everglades Rod and Gun Club make it one of the finest surviving examples of early Florida vernacular design. The structure’s low-slung frame, broad eaves, and expansive verandas were built to adapt to the environment — providing natural cooling and protection from mosquitoes and rain. The inte

The turn of the twentieth century marked a critical turning point for the settlement. In 1893, George W. Storter Jr., a pioneering settler and entrepreneur, officially platted the town of Everglades (later Everglades City). He also built the first permanent lodging structure for visiting hunters and fishermen — the Rod and Gun Club, formally foun

Introduction: A Southern Sanctuary of Sport and Heritage Along the remote mangrove shores of Southwest Florida lies one of the most storied and enduring establishments in the region’s cultural and sporting heritage — the Everglades Rod and Gun Club. Nestled in the heart of Everglades City, this historic lodge has for more than a century stood