DeFuniak Springs Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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DeFuniak Springs Historic District
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House on Circle Drive, in the district
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Nelson and Park Aves. and 2nd and 12th Sts., DeFuniak Springs, Florida |
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| Area | 1,900 acres (7.7 km2) |
| Architect | William Dryer, W. T. May |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Late Victorian |
| MPS | DeFuniak Springs MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001048 |
| Added to NRHP | August 28, 1992 |
The DeFuniak Springs Historic District is a special area in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. It was officially named a historic district on August 28, 1992. This means it's a place with many old buildings and objects that are important to history.
DeFuniak Springs was first called Lake DeFuniak. It got its name from Fred DeFuniak. He was a top boss at the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. The historic district covers a large area. It includes streets like Nelson and Park Avenues, and 2nd and 12th Streets. Inside this area, you can find 172 historic buildings and two historic objects.
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Discovering DeFuniak Springs History
DeFuniak Springs has a rich past. It includes important events and people. One of the historic objects is Florida's first stone memorial. It was built to remember the Confederacy. This memorial is now on the courthouse lawn in DeFuniak Springs.
The Railroad's Big Impact
Railroads played a huge role in the town's story. Train operations started in 1882. DeFuniak Springs quickly became a popular stop. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad brought many new people to the area. This helped the town grow and become busy.
The Chautauqua Era
As more people arrived, a very important part of the town's history began. This was the rise of the Chautauqua movement. The Chautauqua was a kind of adult education movement. It offered lectures, classes, and entertainment. It helped people learn and grow.
The Florida Chautauqua started in 1885. It continued until 1922. Thousands of visitors came to DeFuniak Springs each year. This led to the building of the historic Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood in 1909. This building once had a huge auditorium. It could hold up to 4,000 people! Sadly, a hurricane destroyed the auditorium in 1975. The Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood is located at 95 Circle Drive. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Other Historic Places to See
Many other buildings in the district are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These places show the town's past:
- 132 Circle Drive: This was a family home built in 1900. It belonged to R.E.L. McCaskill. He was a well-known citizen and real estate agent.
- 144 Circle Drive: This is St. Agatha's Episcopal Church. It was finished in 1896. It is a beautiful example of old church architecture.
- 150 Circle Drive: This building is now the Parish House for St. Agatha's Episcopal Church. But it was built in 1900. It used to be a boarding house. Visitors stayed there during the busy Chautauqua Era.
