While looking for the Hernando de Soto encampment site which I posted about yesterday, I discovered this historic house which I had never heard about before. John W. Martin was a three term mayor of the city of Jacksonville before being elected Florida's 24th governor in 1924. He was the first candidate to solicit the women's vote by including the phrase "The Ladies are Especially Invited" on the bottom of his campaign ads. He built this house, called "Apalachee", in the 1930's after he left office and lived in it until 1941 when he sold it and moved back to Jacksonville. He died in 1958.
15 comments:
An elegant house!The trees in front this house also looks wonderful!
I think he was very intelligent to not negligence Lady's votes!He was very smart! :)
Léia
What a nice house. Don't you just love the history of an area. MB
Love the bricks especially - yes, very elegant. It sounds like he should be a little better known though ... I wonder why not?
Is it a museum now? It seems to be up to date and very modern.
Cool history. I guess not all governors lived in "mansions" back then.
very lucky to live in this house
I really like the look of brick and especially the way you shot this through the moss and trees. My compliments Lois.
Lots of stylish houses out your way.
Sydney - City and Suburbs
It took some fortitude to invite the "ladies" vote back then. An interesting bit of history. Oh and you can pretend the hanging moss is icicles, in case you are feeling too warm!
Three Rivers Daily Photo
A graceful and non-prestigious-looking home...and I think I would have lived Gov. Martin - especially for his views on women.
Lovely photo too, Lois!
I think I see bird's nest up the tree there. ;)
Another interesting story, the house is beautiful without being grand. Enlerging the picture, the brickwork is beautiful and the arched windows are quite unusual.
Beautiful brickwork and such dainty columns. And of course, the moss!! :)
Nice! He did a lot of good work then!
If you want to see the interior of this gem (except through the windows), better act fast! I understanding the building is being vacated for some reason.
The House was purchased and renovated with State funds back in the 1980's and is on the National Register of Historic Places. What's more, this house sits on the only autheticated DeSoto site in the U.S. and contains a small but excellent exhibit of related artifacts.
The building currently houses offices of the Fla. Bureau of Archaeological Research. Staff there are quite friendly in my experience and willing to show visitors around.
Since so many of Tallahassee's historic houses were victim to "urban renewal" the Martin House is even more dear. Hope it will survive this change.
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