Lady friend Sue Brooks enjoys an expansive view of the Atlantic Ocean from the deck of the unique, Driftwood Inn in Vero Beach, Florida.

FROM JUNK--

to a tourist mecca

The Driftwood Inn, Vero Beach's oldest landmark, is the creation of an eccentric, Indiana plow salesman who wandered into Vero Beach in 1914 to peddle his wares.  Impressed by the town's then raw beauty he decided to make his home here.

His name was Waldo Sexton.

He had a passion for collecting the unusual and began constructing his family's oceanfront retreat from whatever he could scavenge; scraps from a demolished barn, discarded planks along the roadside, and, ocean-washed timbers--driftwood.

There were no formal plans.  His construction technique was to shout instructions to his helpers while eye-balling the work's progress.

His project was described as "...the most parallel, just about square and close to level...wooden melange," with "...the most dramatic result you'll ever find."

Just as important to Waldo as the casual construction was the "fixin' up" of his showplace decorated with art, artifacts, antiques and just plain junk he collected.

He had a special fondness for bells and accumulated many "...still abundantly apparent" at the resort; now a combined time-share and traditional hotel with a restaurant, pool and outdoor, beach-front dining area.

It originally opened in 1937 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

A cannon from an ancient warship works as a silent sentry in the courtyard of the Driftwood Inn (above) while guests enjoy their ocean view from the inn's outdoor dining area.