Every President From Teddy Roosevelt To Eisenhower Stayed At This Florida River Lodge
Tucked away in Everglades City sits a place where American history literally walked through the door. The Everglades Rod & Gun Club has hosted every president from Teddy Roosevelt to Dwight D. Eisenhower, making it one of the most historically significant lodges in the entire country.
Built in the 1860s, this riverside retreat became the ultimate getaway for commanders-in-chief who needed to escape Washington’s pressures and experience authentic Old Florida wilderness.
1. A Presidential Guest List Unlike Any Other
Between the 1920s and 1950s, this unassuming lodge became the unofficial winter retreat for America’s most powerful leaders. Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Dwight Eisenhower all signed the guest book here. They came for tarpon fishing, duck hunting, and the kind of privacy you couldn’t find anywhere else in Florida.
The main building still displays newspaper clippings and photographs documenting these famous visits. You can actually see where presidents sat for dinner, played cards, and swapped fishing stories. Walking through these rooms feels like stepping into a time capsule where history happened over grouper sandwiches and cold drinks.
What made this spot so appealing to presidents was its remoteness. Back then, Everglades City was truly the end of the road. No paparazzi, no reporters, just mangroves and mosquitoes.
The lodge offered world-class fishing without the world watching.
Today, the family-run property maintains that same low-key atmosphere. Taylor and her mother Patty keep the presidential legacy alive while welcoming regular folks who want to experience the same authentic Old Florida charm that attracted leaders of the free world.
2. The Building That Survived Everything
Originally constructed in 1864, this structure has weathered hurricanes, economic crashes, and even rumors of drug-running operations. The lodge started as a private hunting retreat before transforming into the exclusive club that would attract presidents and celebrities. Its cypress wood construction has held strong for over 160 years.
The architecture screams authentic Florida vernacular style. Wide porches wrap around the building to catch river breezes. High ceilings and shuttered windows were designed long before air conditioning existed.
Every creaky floorboard and weathered beam tells stories of another era.
During Prohibition, whispers suggest the lodge saw its share of bootlegging activity. The remote location and river access made it ideal for activities the government might frown upon. These colorful chapters add to the property’s mystique, though the family focuses more on the legitimate presidential connections.
Recent preservation efforts have kept the building functional while maintaining its historic character. You won’t find modern renovations that destroy the vibe. Instead, the family has carefully updated plumbing and electrical systems while keeping the soul of the place intact for future generations to experience.
3. Where Fishing Legends Were Born
Presidents didn’t come here for the spa treatments. They came to catch tarpon, snook, and redfish in some of the richest waters Florida has ever offered. The Ten Thousand Islands surrounding Everglades City provided endless opportunities for anglers seeking that monster catch they could brag about back in Washington.
Teddy Roosevelt, an avid outdoorsman, reportedly loved the challenge of hooking tarpon in these shallow mangrove channels. These silver kings could reach over 100 pounds and put up fights that tested even experienced fishermen. The thrill of battling these fish in wild, untouched waters was irresistible.
Today, guests still book local captains for fishing expeditions just like the presidents did. The marina out back serves as the launching point for adventures into the same waters where history was made. Modern anglers catch the same species that presidential hands once reeled in decades ago.
The main lodge displays mounted fish specimens from those golden years of sportfishing. These taxidermy trophies aren’t just decorations—they’re physical proof of the incredible fishing that made this destination famous. Reading the plaques beneath them connects you directly to that presidential past.
4. The Restaurant That Serves History With Every Plate
Taylor runs the kitchen now, serving up dishes that honor Old Florida traditions. Her fish “Roxie” has become legendary among repeat visitors who plan entire trips around eating it. The grouper comes fresh from local waters, prepared with techniques passed down through generations of Everglades families.
The dining room itself deserves attention. Original furnishings surround you while you eat. Mounted fish and game animals watch from the walls.
You’re literally dining in the same space where presidents discussed policy between bites of stone crab.
Everglades City claims the title of Stone Crab Capital of the World, and the restaurant takes that seriously. During stone crab season, you can crack into claws that were swimming in nearby waters just hours earlier. The freshness is unbeatable, and the setting makes the meal even more special.
Don’t skip dessert. Multiple reviewers rave about the key lime pie, calling it the best they’ve ever tasted. One visitor said it’s worth stopping by just for that pie alone.
The recipe probably hasn’t changed much since presidential visits, which somehow makes each tangy bite taste even better.
5. Cottages That Reject Modern Pretension
Forget fancy resorts with marble lobbies and overpriced minibars. The cottages here offer something increasingly rare: genuine simplicity. Rooms are clean, comfortable, and unpretentious.
You won’t find flat-screen TVs dominating the space or trendy industrial design elements trying too hard to be cool.
What you will find is air conditioning that works, beds that sleep well, and that intangible quality of authenticity. The rooms haven’t been gutted and rebuilt to look “vintage”—they actually are vintage, carefully maintained rather than artificially recreated. There’s a massive difference you can feel the moment you walk in.
Some cottages sit right near the pool area, others closer to the river. All maintain that rustic-but-clean aesthetic that defines the entire property. One reviewer noted the heater didn’t work great during an unusually cold night, which is fair—this place was built for Florida heat, not northern winters.
The family keeps rooms spotless despite their age. You’re getting history, not filth. The screened porches let you enjoy evening breezes while listening to the river flow.
It’s the kind of accommodation that helps you understand why stressed-out presidents found peace here.
6. A Pool That Floats Between Eras
The outdoor pool provides a zen-like escape that modern resorts try to replicate but rarely achieve. It’s not an infinity pool with swim-up bars and DJ booths. It’s just a simple, well-maintained pool surrounded by Old Florida landscaping and the sounds of nature.
Families love bringing kids here for afternoon swims while parents relax poolside. The setting feels safe and enclosed without being claustrophobic. You can watch birds fly overhead and occasionally spot an alligator cruising the nearby waterway, which adds authentic Everglades excitement to your swim.
Multiple reviewers mention stopping by just for lunch and pool time, even when they’re not staying overnight. The family welcomes this, understanding that the property offers something valuable beyond just lodging. It’s a destination experience, not just a place to crash.
The pool area connects to the great lawn that stretches toward the river. You can lounge here for hours, moving between sun and shade, pool and grass, never feeling rushed or pressured to buy another overpriced cocktail. Presidents probably appreciated this same unhurried atmosphere when they needed to decompress from running the country.
7. The Family That Keeps It Real
Taylor and her mother Patty aren’t just running a business—they’re preserving a legacy. As eighth-generation Florida Crackers (a term of pride for longtime Florida families), they understand what makes this place special. Their southern hospitality feels genuine because it is genuine, not some corporate training manual version.
Guests consistently mention Taylor by name in reviews, praising her warmth and the way she makes visitors feel like family. She manages the property while also serving as head chef, which shows serious dedication. Her fish dishes have earned a reputation that brings people back year after year.
The family has resisted pressure to modernize in ways that would destroy the lodge’s character. They could easily tear everything down and build a generic resort, but they choose authenticity over easy profits. That decision requires courage in today’s development-crazy Florida.
Staff members like Denise, Slade, and Cynthia receive frequent praise for their friendly service. The team reflects the family’s values of treating guests right without pretense. When you eat here or stay here, you’re supporting a family business that actually cares about preserving something irreplaceable for future generations.
8. Why This Place Matters Now More Than Ever
Southwest Florida is rapidly disappearing under concrete and condos. High-rises dominate coastlines that were wild mangrove forests just decades ago. Naples has transformed from a sleepy fishing village into a wealthy enclave where authentic Old Florida barely exists anymore.
That makes the Rod & Gun Club increasingly precious.
This isn’t some theme park version of history. It’s the real thing, stubbornly surviving in an era that often values profit over preservation. When you visit, you’re experiencing Florida as it actually was, not some sanitized, air-conditioned interpretation designed for tourists who never leave their comfort zone.
Multiple reviewers mention bringing family here specifically because you can’t find this atmosphere anywhere else. Parents want their children to understand what Florida looked like before Disney and mega-resorts took over. This lodge provides that education in the most enjoyable way possible.
The property has survived 160 years through determination and luck. One reviewer hopes it lasts another 162 years, which feels like a prayer we should all share. Places like this connect us to our past while reminding us what we’re losing in our rush toward modernization and profit.
