Lake in DeFuniak Springs
I recently spent a few hours in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. I found it a pleasant, friendly town with an interesting history. The following information is from "DeFuniak Springs History" from the City of DeFuniak Springs street map.
"On March 4, 1881 the Florida State Legislature incorporated the Pensacola and Atlantic Railroad. As the survey party set out from Pensacola to survey the route for the railroad, they happened across an open area with a round lake.
The party camped on the shores of the lake and their leader, W.D. Chipley, declared this would be the perfect spot for a town and ordered the virgin forest not be cut around this spot and a stop would be made along the line here. The location was named after Frederick DeFuniak, president of the Pensacola and Atlantic Railroad. First known as Lake Defuniak the name was later changed to DeFuniak Springs."
"Chipley, T.T. Wright, C.C. Banfill, W.J. Van Kirk and a few others worked to turn the small stop into a town, forming the Lake Defuniak Land Company in 1885. ... Through a chance meeting while attending the Chautauqua Institution in New York in 1883, Van Kirk learned they were seeking a winter location to extend the program. After meeting with the leaders of Chautauqua and returning to DeFuniak Springs, the group decided this was the perfect draw to bring people to the new village. In 1884 the Florida Chautauqua Association was formed and would operate here until 1936 .... "
Chautauqua began as the Chautauqua Lake Sunday School Assembly in August 1874. It grew to offer lectures on a variety of topics such as science, literature, history and current events.
"The Florida Legislature approved the incorporation of the Florida Chautauqua Association whose purpose was: to establish and maintain an educational institution known as an assembly on the general plan of Chautauqua Assembly, in the State of New York, with courses of lectures and class instruction in art, science, philosophy, history, literature, theology and morals, and other branches of study. The said Assembly to be located at Lake DeFuniak, Walton County, Florida, and to have annual or semi-annual sessions as may be deemed expedient. From 1885 to 1920, the Florida Chautauqua and the City of DeFuniak Springs grew and developed together, providing warmth and culture for the northerners while offering educational opportunities for Floridians."
The section of the map brochure called "The History of Walton County" hit close to home. "In the spring of 1820, Neil McLendon of Richmond County, North Carolina, his brother, Lochlin, brother-in-law Daniel D. Campbell, John Folk and their families started out with their teams in the direction of Pensacola, Florida.
After many days full of eventful happenings, the travelers reached Bluff Springs, Florida and camped for a while along the banks of the Escambia and Blackwater rivers. While in Pensacola on a trading trip, McLendon learned about a beautiful area up the Choctawatchee Bay that was then inhabited by a friendly tribe of Indians known as the Euchees. Soon afterwards, Sam Story, the chief of the tribe, was introduced to McLendon and extended to him a very cordial invitation.
Upon seeing the country, McLendon was well pleased. He chose a new home for his entire company. This settlement was on Bruce Creek opposite what is now known as Eucheeanna." Being a resident of Bluff Springs, Florida, I found the reference to my community in relation to some of the original settlers of Walton County to be of interest.
If you like nature, history, small towns (Defuniak Springs has been named the best small town in Florida by MSN.com's Insider Online) and education, you may enjoy a visit to DeFuniak Springs. From US 90, take a right on 7th St. to Circle Drive to reach the heart of the original town. Turn right when you reach Circle Drive to find the Visitor Center, a good place to find information on sights to see.
