At Caya G.F. Betico Croes 98 stands the former home of the Debrot family, a cornerstone of local history. J.M. (Jose Maria) Debrot, a merchant from Bonaire, settled in Aruba and set up shop, selling a variety of goods from rum, gin, whiskey, and beer to office furniture, air conditioners, and jukeboxes.

In 1934, J.M. Debrot submitted a request for a building permit and on September 17th of that year, he received permission to construct a wooden store. Shortly after, on November 12th, he was granted another permit to add a second story above the store for his residence. By 1936, his business had expanded, and he sought additional permits for further construction, including a cistern.

The building evolved over the years. In 1973, a permit was requested to modify the facade, followed by another in 1976 for further enhancements. Notably, on May 19th, 1950, the “Hollandse Bank Unie N.V.” opened on the ground floor. By the mid-1960s, the Venezuelan consulate occupied the second floor.

It remains unclear exactly when the current structure was completed. The original 1934 plans depicted a simple one-story wooden building. However, the present building showcases the grand Latin American Neo-Baroque architectural style.

The initial design included a front balcony with double doors, three sets of double doors on the ground floor for the business, and a double door leading to the upstairs dwelling. A beautiful rose garden, surrounded by an embellished wrought iron fence, once graced the west side of the building.

Much of the dwelling’s interior remains intact. The original wall paintings, possibly by an Italian artist, have unfortunately been painted over. The second-floor terrace that overlooked the garden is still present, as are some of the arches below on the ground floor. While the rose garden no longer exists, its memory lingers.

This building is a candidate for monument protection due to its intact condition and historical significance. Restoring this building would be a vital step in preserving our cultural heritage. Bringing back even a small part of the original garden could remind us of the beauty that once graced our Mainstreet.