| Getting Here |
Lodging |
Restaurants
| Historic DeFuniak Springs | Beaches
& Attractions |
Historic DeFuniak Springs
A visit to DeFuniak Springs is a walk back into Victorian
times. In the late 1800's when the L&N Railroad brought
thousands of visitors to the Annual Winter Chautauqua, many
visitors built homes featuring the finest examples of Queen
Anne, Vernacular, Colonial Revival, and Folk Victorian architectures.
Today, you can stroll (or drive) around the lake to view more
than 40 buildings all listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. Below is just a sampling of the historic buildings
that make DeFuniak Springs such a special place.
|
| Lake DeFuniak |
95 Circle Drive
- c.1909 |
|
|
When the railroad began operation in 1882, the train
stopped in a little town called "Open Pond,"
named for the almost perfectly round freshwater, spring-fed
lake located in the center of town and within sight
of the train depot. The town's name was changed to DeFuniak
Springs in honor of the Chief Engineer of the L&N
Railroad, Frederick deFuniak. The road encircling the
lake is appropriately named Circle Drive. |
Completed in 1909 at a cost of $28,000, the original
Hall of Brotherhood had a portico at
each end in addition to the three across the front.
The porticos were supported by a total of forty columns
representing the forty existing states. The building
is topped by the "Lantern of Religious Trust."
Upstairs classrooms could be opened up to seat 1,000.
An auditorium attached to the back of the building seated
4,000. Hurricane Eloise destroyed the auditorium in
1975. A project is currently under way to restore the
auditorium. |
|
|
L&N Depot - c.1882 |
3 Circle Drive - c.1886 |
188 Circle Drive - c.1895 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Depot was built in 1882 and
enlarged in 1909. As many as 4,000 passengers a day
arrived at the station during the Chautauqua Era. |
The Library is the oldest structure
in Florida built as a library and still serving that
purpose. It houses the Bruce collection of armor and
other interesting artifacts. |
The Thomas House is an outstanding
example of Queen Anne style. Special features include
a three-story round turret with conical roof, patterned
shingles, a two-story canted bay, with elaborate verge
board and truss work. |
|
|
234 Circle Drive - c.1884 |
262 Circle Drive - c.1904 |
404 Circle Drive - c.1888 |
|
|
|
|
|
Known as the Thomas T. Wright Cottage,
this charming board-and-batten Folk Victorian home was
built for Col. T. T. Wright, an early developer of the
Florida Chautauqua and Defuniak Springs. Circle Drive
was originally named Wright Avenue in his honor. |
The Verandas is an example of Folk
Victorian Style. The unique "steamboat" design
features double wraparound verandas on the front and
both sides. |
The Dream Cottage was built for famous
poet, Wallace Bruce, former U.S. Consul to Scotland
and prominent leader of the Florida Chautauqua. |
|
|
Back to Top |
