Holmes Valley, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Holmes Valley, Florida
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 Holmes Valley, Florida
Location in Florida
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| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Washington |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
32462
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| Area code(s) | 850 |
Holmes Valley is a small, quiet place in Washington County, Florida. It's called an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's managed by the county. You can find Holmes Valley along State Highway 279.
Contents
History of Holmes Valley
This community got its start in 1848. It was named after a Creek Indian leader, Chief Holmes. Federal troops pursued Chief Holmes to this spot, and he died there. This event led to the founding of the community.
Famous Person from Holmes Valley
A notable person born in Holmes Valley was Robert Edwin Russ. He was born here in 1830. Later, he moved to several other states, including Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. He is famous for founding the city of Ruston in Louisiana.
The Historic Moss Hill Church
One of the most interesting places in Holmes Valley is the Moss Hill Methodist Church. This tiny, old church was built in 1857. It was made using native pine wood from the area.
Building the Church
The people who built the church used special techniques. They laid down hand-planed planks that fit together like puzzle pieces, called tongue-and-groove. Instead of metal nails, they used wooden nails and square pegs to hold everything together. Even the pulpit (where the preacher stands) and the pews (the church benches) were carved by hand.
A Glimpse into the Past
Today, the Moss Hill Church looks almost exactly as it did when it was first built. It doesn't have modern things like heating or electricity. However, it was quite special for its time because it was only the second building in the entire county to have glass windows! The church sits in a clear space, surrounded by thick woods, making it feel like a step back in time.
Visiting the Church
You can visit the Moss Hill Church today. It is open to everyone as a historical monument. It's a great place to see how people lived and built things long ago in Florida.
