Hotel Ponce de Leon

"Presents new information about the creation and construction of the Hotel Ponce de Leon, its eighty years as a luxury resort hotel, and its transformation into the centerpiece of Flagler College. Keys does an excellent job of capturing the historical, cultural, and even political themes that were part of the hotel's development and its adaptation for use as a four-year college."—William T. Abare, Jr., president, Flagler College



"Keys's monumental work documenting the creation and evolution of 'The Ponce' and its role in the Florida tourist industry and as the home of Flagler College is impressive. This is an important addition to those interested in heritage tourism and historic preservation and their impact on this nation."—Ted Ligibel, co-author of Historic Preservation: An Introduction to Its History, Principles and Practices



"In this richly detailed account, Keys deftly traces the metamorphosis of Hotel Ponce de Leon from exclusive hostelry to community icon to symbol of the grandest designs of a gilded age. Here is the last word on the first resort."—Les Standiford, author of Last Train to Paradise: Henry Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Railroad that Crossed an Ocean



"Chronicles the architectural and community history of one of America's greatest buildings."—Dana Ste. Claire, author of Cracker: The Cracker Culture in Florida History

"Keys . . . has written the complete history of the hotel: its social history, its architecture and its historic preservation, often with beautiful archive photos."—St. Augustine Record