State Normal Messenger

The Messenger was published by the State Normal School, a teachers’ college that operated in DeFuniak Springs from 1887 until 1905. After it closed, the male students were transferred to the University of Florida in Gainesville, and the female students to the Florida College for Women (now Florida State University)

Continue reading

Girls’ Dormitory, Palmer College

The girls’ dormitory at Palmer College was very distinctive. Unfortunately, it was totally ruined by a fire that consumed much of the college in 1915. The Post Card was published by W. K. Jennings of DeFuniak Springs. It was addressed to Mr. T. E. Hubbard of Opp, Alabama, but the

Continue reading

Walton High School 1921 Football Team

This photograph of Walton High School’s first football team was taken on the grounds of Palmer College in 1921. The linemen were (from left) Walter Donnelley, Theo Griffith, Fuller Warren, Ralph “Bud” McBroom, Cletus Fuqua, Clyde McKenzie, and Earnest Walker. The backs were Ralph Spiers, Buell Ogburn, Bert McCall, and

Continue reading

Gillis House, 772 Circle Drive

This American Classical design house was built about 1901 for Stuart Knox Gillis, a teacher and prominent attorney. Mrs. Gillis stenciled the walls of the first floor rooms, which was unusual as was the French red tile roof. Mr. and Mrs. Gillis died within a week of each other, and

Continue reading

470 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs

This Colonial Home was built in 1887 for Edward D. Holton. During the years 1894 to 1908, it was owned by four different families. The Thomas Industrial Institution, an early educational facility, purchased the house for its president in 1915. In 1919, Mr. and Mrs. M. E Savage purchased the

Continue reading

1896 Football Team

G. Willard Shear took this studio photograph of the 1896 DeFuniak Springs Football Team. Unfortunately, the history of this team and the names of its players remain a mystery, but it may have been the Florida State Normal School team. The team played Pensacola on February 22, 1896, and won

Continue reading

Walton High School Football Team

The members of the Walton High School football team are identified, but we are uncertain which year this team played. Jack Little (No. 63 in the middle) graduated from Walton High School in 1944, so this team probably played in the fall of 1940, 1941, 1942, or 1943. Please contact

Continue reading