Manufacturer: Shenango China
User: Cheeca Lodge, Islamorada, Florida
Date of plate: 1962

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Notes: In 1960, Carl Twitchell and his A&P Grocery-heiress wife Cynthia purchased the former Olney Inn that was located on the Overseas Highway in Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Before they could begin renovation, it was severely damaged by Hurricane Donna. The name derived from the precious combination of Cynthia's nickname Chee and the "ca" beginning Carl's name, and had already been used for her Cheeca Farm estate in Holmdel, N.J.

A major fire during the Twitchells' renovations in the fall of 1961 delayed the opening until Nov. 16, 1962. It was completely outfitted with nine-hole golf course, pool, shuffle board courts, beach, fishing pier, boat docks, dining room and lounge.

Coca-Cola executive Carl Navarre bought the resort in 1976, and it has changed hands multiple times since then. Cheeca Lodge was destroyed by fire on New Year's Eve 2008 but was rebuilt, and was damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017 but reopened in early 2018 and is still open today (2025).

The plate, on Shenango's embossed Carlton shape, has a narrow metallic gold line on the rim, a navy blue band inside the verge with metallic gold lines on either side, and in the well, in navy and gold, a stylized cartoon seahorse, golf club and fishing rod.

For more info:
Cheeca Lodge 2, Shenango China

Sources:
Cheeca Lodge website
Miami Herald, July 9, 1961
Miami Herald, Oct. 8, 1961
Miami Herald, Nov. 14, 1962

Contributors:
Carlos Talavera: ID
Plate photos: attorney Anthony Draper
Leona Montag: Cheeca Lodge Shenango documentation
Ed Babcock: ephemera