GPS: 1290 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435. Panel located at corner of Circle Drive and Live Oak.
The following is exact wording printed on interpretive panel #8 on the self-guided walking tour of the Florida Chautauqua Resort/Campus grounds opened in 1885 in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. This interpretive panel displays the history of wooden sidewalks on the grounds.
This photo (circa 1886-1890) shows how the Florida Chautauqua resort/campus was complimented with wooded sidewalks throughout the once-gated grounds. Campus leaders designed the grounds to provide a luxurious atmosphere which they marketed as “The Education Resort of the South.”
Tented classrooms for many educational activities were erected along this wooden sidewalk before permanent structures were built.
Proceed to interpretive panel #9.
- By Christopher Mitchell
- Historical Research by Robert Daniel
- Grant funding provided by the Florida Division of Historical Resources