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
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Royal Typewriter
This Royal typewriter and its case were manufactured in the 1930s. [Donated by David Bludworth] [Accession No. 2013.2.2]
Continue readingBissell Sweeper
Anna and Melville Bissell patented the original hard floor sweeper in 1876. This model, the Parlor Queen, was last patented in 1906, so it was likely manufactured in the early 1900s. [Donated by William Holloway] [Accession No. 2010.6.1]
Continue reading550 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs
This stately residence was built by master craftsman William Dreyer for Kenneth Bruce, the son of Wallace Bruce who was a founder of the Florida Chautauqua. When the Bruce family lived there, it was used for entertaining visiting Chautauqua celebrities. For many years, the extensive collection of armor collected by
Continue reading676 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs
This French Colonial style house was built in 1905 or 1906 by master carpenter Burdick for James A. McLean. The house was constructed of the finest heart pine lumber with a hip roof and broad central chimneys that accent its square dimensions. James McLean considered it the “best spot on
Continue reading188 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs
This Queen Ann design house was built about 1900 by one of the Graves brothers who were lumbermen. Later Albert Fletcher Bullard, who was also a prominent lumberman and banker, purchased the house. The Bullard family lived there for many years. The house was later purchased by Dr. Richard Thomas,
Continue reading470 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 readingSunbright Manor
James T. Sherman of Brodhead, Wisconsin, was the original owner of the home that is now known as Sunbright Manor. Construction started on the house about 1886, and it was finished around 1890. Sherman, who was a successful merchant, used the house as the winter residence for his family. The
Continue readingHouses for the Gulf States
From The American Architect and Building News, April 5, 1884, page 165 HOUSES OR THE GULF STATES. LAKE DE FUNIAK, FLORIDA, March 21, 1884. TO THE EDITORS OF THE AMERICAN ARCHITECT:– Dears Sirs,–As yet the South has developed no artistic style of architecture suited to its climate, but has copied
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