Bronson–Mulholland House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bronson–Mulholland House
Judge Isaac Bronson House |
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | 100 Madison Street Palatka, Florida |
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| Built | 1854 |
| Architectural style | Southern Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000351 |
| Added to NRHP | 27 December 1972 |
The Bronson–Mulholland House is a very old and special house in Palatka, Florida. It is also known as the Judge Isaac H. Bronson House or Sunny Point. This historic home was built way back in 1854. Because of its importance, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on December 27, 1972. This means it's officially recognized as a place worth protecting for its history.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the House
Early Days: The Bronson Family (1852–1860)
Judge Isaac H. Bronson first thought about moving to Palatka, Florida, around 1852. He was given a large piece of land, about 1,220 acres, by three important families in Palatka. By March 1853, the Bronsons decided to make Palatka their home.
In 1853, they set aside 10 acres of land along the St. Johns River and named it Sunny Point. Records from March 1854 show that Judge Bronson was already building his home there. By October 1854, the house was finished. The Bronson family likely spent their first winter in their new home in 1854.
It is thought that Judge Bronson used cypress wood from nearby lands for his house. He was also part owner of the Palatka Saw Mill Company. This company had a steam saw mill that started working in August 1853. The wood for the Bronson home was probably cut right there.
The Bronsons and Palatka Town
The Bronson family played a big part in helping Palatka grow. Judge Bronson helped create the city's official plan and presented it to the state government. He also asked for Palatka to become the main town of Putnam County, Florida. He even gave the land for the county courthouse, which is still there today.
The Bronsons and their two daughters, Gertrude and Emma, were members of the St. Marks Church. Judge Bronson was a leader in the church. They often had guests at their new home. Important visitors included William Dunn Moseley, Florida's first governor, and Robert Raymond Reid, another Florida governor. Benjamin A. Putnam, for whom the county was named, also visited. Sunny Point was known as a busy social spot in the 1850s.
Sadly, Isaac Bronson passed away on August 13, 1855. He was buried on his property at Sunny Point. Later, his grave was moved to Palatka's Oak Hill Cemetery. After her husband's death, Sophronia Bronson stayed at Sunny Point for a while. She likely returned to her home state of New York around 1860, when the Civil War began. Sophronia Bronson died in New Jersey in 1874.
During the Civil War (1861–1865)
The Bronson–Mulholland House, or Sunny Point, was empty during the American Civil War. It is believed that early in the war, Confederate soldiers used the attic as a lookout. They watched for Union forces coming down the St. John's River.
In 1864, Union troops took over Palatka. They used Sunny Point as a camp. The house was also used by Union soldiers to watch for Confederate ships trying to get past their blockades.
The White Family Era (1866–1904)
Charlotte Henry and the School
Charlotte Henry, who later became Charlotte White, was from New York. She became good friends with Sophronia Bronson. Charlotte Henry came to Palatka in 1865 and opened a school in January 1866. This school was supported by the New York branch of the Freedman's Union Commission. This group helped formerly enslaved people.
Charlotte Henry's school for African American children was held at Sunny Point. In November 1866, she was teaching over 60 children. She loved her work and decided to buy Sunny Point from Mrs. Bronson. Charlotte Henry continued her school until 1868. The school closed because the Freedman's Union Commission was running out of money.
Charlotte and Nathaniel P. White
In 1873, Charlotte Henry married Nathaniel P. White. They were listed as members of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in 1874. Nathaniel White was from Michigan. It is thought he met Charlotte while on vacation in Palatka.
The Whites often spent their winters at Sunny Point. It seems Sunny Point became their summer home. Nathaniel White passed away in 1895. Charlotte became the owner of all his property. She continued to live at Sunny Point. Charlotte White died in Palatka in January 1904 at 82 years old. She is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, the same place as Judge Isaac Bronson.
The Mulholland Era (1904–1945)
Mary Mulholland was born in 1842. She trained as a nurse in Boston, Massachusetts. She met Charlotte White in Boston, but the exact year is not known. Mary Mulholland likely came to Sunny Point to help care for Nathaniel White when he became sick. After his death in 1895, she stayed with Charlotte at Sunny Point.
A few days before her death in January 1904, Charlotte White gave Sunny Point to Mary Mulholland. Mary tried her best to keep the large property together. But she had to sell parts of the land for homes starting in 1914. By 1936, at least seven other houses stood on what was once Sunny Point. She also borrowed money to pay property taxes.
Mary Mulholland did not work as a nurse professionally after Mrs. White died. She was in her sixties by then. However, she would quietly help poor people with her medical knowledge. After World War I started, Miss Mulholland became very active in the Putnam County Red Cross. She let the Red Cross use a part of her home as a work room. She also visited soldiers' homes to help.
Mary Mulholland passed away in Palatka on October 4, 1935. She is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, along with Judge Isaac Bronson and Charlotte White. When she died, Sunny Point went to Edelmira Rivero. Mary Mulholland had written that Edelmira had lived with her since she was a little girl and had been a great help.
Edelmira Rivero and Sunny Point
Edelmira Rivero was born in Cuba during the Spanish–American War. She became an orphan when she was very young. She and her older sister, Taurina, ended up in a Florida orphanage. They eventually ran away from the orphanage.
They came to Palatka, and Mary Mulholland hired Taurina as a housekeeper. Miss Mulholland became very fond of Edelmira. She wanted to adopt her, but Taurina would not allow it. When Taurina got married in 1907, Edelmira chose to stay with Miss Mulholland. Miss Mulholland kept her promise to care for Edelmira and help her get a college education.
When Miss Mulholland died in 1935, Edelmira Rivero was a teacher in Jacksonville, Florida. She could not live in Palatka. She closed up Sunny Point and moved the furniture to Jacksonville. She also let the Red Cross continue to use the house during World War II.
Edelmira Rivero owned the house for ten years. Like Miss Mulholland, she had to sell parts of the land for homes. In 1945, Edelmira felt she could no longer keep Sunny Point. She later wrote about how much she loved the house but could not afford to keep it. The roof leaked, and taxes were high. She decided to sell it.
The part of Sunny Point that Edelmira Rivero sold in 1945 is the same size as the property today. She continued to live and teach in Jacksonville until she died in 1974. She is buried next to Mary Mulholland in Oak Hill Cemetery.
After the War (1945–1977)
After 1945, Sunny Point was briefly owned by the Yeltons. In 1946, Laura and E.C. Hindman bought the house. They likely divided the house into apartments soon after. In 1955, the Hindmans sold the house to their daughter and son-in-law, Grace and James Jones. By 1956, there were nine apartments listed at the house's address.
The house changed owners a few more times and was known as the Mulholland Apartments. In January 1965, the City of Palatka bought the property. This ended the time when the house was used as apartments. By then, the house was in bad shape. People became interested in fixing it up to its original beauty. The Bronson–Mulholland house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. It finally opened to visitors in 1977.
Restoring the House (1977–Present)
Many people have worked hard to restore the Bronson–Mulholland House. The City of Palatka owns the building and the land around it. The Putnam County Historical Society helps take care of all the furniture inside. Most of the original furniture is gone, so many pieces are antiques from the 1800s. These have been given or loaned by local families. However, some items on loan from Edelmira Rivero's family are original to the home from when the White family lived there.
Today, the house is a historical place where people can learn about the past. It is also used for events. Every year in late September, people dress up as Civil War soldiers. They gather in front of the house to show what it was like when Union troops occupied Palatka in 1864. The house is also becoming a popular place for weddings again.
What's Next for the House
The City of Palatka wants more people to visit the Bronson–Mulholland House. They plan to promote it as a place for weddings and events. They also want it to be a key cultural and historical spot for people in Florida. A monthly newsletter and a Facebook page have started. An interactive website is also planned. Many events are being planned for 2014 to celebrate the house's 160th anniversary.
Gallery
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Isaac Bronson memorial outside the Bronson–Mulholland House
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Isaac Bronson memorial outside the Bronson–Mulholland House
See also
