Ramrod Key and had been there since 1919. After years of serious effort to get a post office on Summerland, Hudgins got his chance. After the postmaster of the Ramrod post office retired, she suggested that it be moved to Summerland and Hudgins was named postmaster. Hudgins' wife Mary learned to fly and kept a plane in Marathon. After meeting Philip Toppino of Toppino Brothers construction on Rockland Key, who also liked flying, Toppino suggested that Hudgins build an air strip on Summerland. Around 1956, Hudgins and Toppino formed a partnership and developed a section of Summerland, named Summerland Cove, with a landing strip flanked by homes on both sides and canals behind the homes. As property began to sell in his development, Hudgins moved his family to a small wooden home on Center Street to be closer to the post office. The home still stands there today. In the late 1950s, Hudgins purchased the property to build his dream home, Hermitage, on property facing Niles Channel once owned by the Garibaldi Niles homestead. Designed by Hudgins, the home sat on concrete pillars with a porch facing the channel. The home was designed to withstand 150 mph winds and Hermitage still stands today. Hudgins was only able to enjoy his creation for a few years; he died in 1962. Lasting legacies to Hudgins include his airstrip off West Shore Drive, Henry Street (named for him), Dobie Street (named for his second wife), and Hermitage — Hudgins's dream home on Niles channel. Summerland Key was also home to singer-songwriter Fred Neil, composer of "The Dolphins" and "Everybody's Talkin'." Neil died here in July 2001. References Islands of the Florida Keys Islands of Monroe County, Florida Islands of Florida Unincorporated communities in Monroe County, Florida Populated coastal places in Florida on the Atlantic Ocean Unincorporated communities in Florida