The following images are taken from the Eve Bacon Photograph Collection. These photographs illustrate eight sites in Winter Park that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as of January 2001.
To learn more about Eve Bacon click here.
All Saints’ Episcopal Church traces its beginnings back to 1883. William E. Comstock, one of the original settlers of Winter Park, was instrumental in organizing services of the Church. With the aid of Dr. and Mrs. Charles Switzer, Mrs. Molly Stovin, Mary Brown, and Mary McClure, Mr. Comstock began Morning Prayer services in an upstairs room over a grocery store.
In 1938, architect Ralph Adams Cram was chosen to design and build a new church building at 338 East Lyman Avenue. In 1940, the present plan was adopted and a fund drive was undertaken. On December 23, 1941, the cornerstone was laid; on Palm Sunday, March 29, 1942, opening services were held.
With great zeal, the vestry and congregation worked to retire the debt on the church. On Easter, April 6, 1947, they all celebrated the consecration of the Church.
On January 7, 2000, All Saints’ Episcopal Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
Located on the eastern shore of Lake Osceola, “The Palms” was built by Edward Hill Brewer as a winter cottage in 1899. It was renovated in 1924 to duplicate Brewer’s other residence in Cortland, New York. Originally, the house was clapboard covered with a wooden shingle roof and a spindle-balustraded veranda. James Gamble Rogers II redesigned the interior in 1937-38 at the request of the owners at that time, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Detmar Trismen. “The Palms” was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 22, 1982. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
Built by William C. Comstock on the east bank of Lake Osceola as a winter cottage in 1871, the Comstock – Harris House is the oldest surviving home in Winter Park. It consists of three floors and three stairways, including a beautiful main staircase that turns in front of a magnificent stained glass window. Red bricks make up the foundation of the house as well as the six interior fireplaces. The original color of the house was yellow with dark green trim. Before the grounds were subdivided, they consisted of sixty acres. The long camphor tree-lined drive that led to the house is present-day Bonita Drive. Currently, it is the home of Flora Harris Twatchman who has lived in the house since 1928. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 13, 1983. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
The Annie Russell Theatre (left side of photo) was a gift of Mrs. Edward W. Bok in honor of her lifelong friend, the internationally known actress Annie Russell. The Theatre and Knowles Memorial Chapel were built together and joined by a loggia and garden. The Theatre was designed by architect Richard Kiehnel and built in the Spanish Mediterranean Revival style of architecture. It was formally dedicated on March 29, 1932. The Annie Russell Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 15, 1998.
The Knowles Memorial Chapel (right side of photo), built in 1931, was a gift to Rollins College by Mrs. Frances Knowles Warren in memory of her father, Frances Bangs Knowles. Well-known American ecclesiastical architect Ralph Adams Cram of Boston designed the Chapel. Its design is slightly modernized Spanish Mediterranean classic style consisting of four main parts: The great nave with Chancel; the Frances Chapel or side chapel; the cupolaed tower or campanile; and the sacristy. The Chapel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 8, 1997. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
World-renowned Czech-American sculptor Albin Polasek(1879-1965) built his home and studio at 633 Osceola Avenue in 1950 as his retirement home and worked there until his death in 1965. After his death, the home was turned into the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens. This estate has three acres of gardens contouring large sculpture pieces and four galleries housing a major part of his life’s work. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 2, 2000. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
In 1914 Charles H. Morse, William C. Temple, William C. Comstock, E.W. Packard, Nathan Follett, and Witt Johnston. formed the Winter Park Country Club, a non-profit corporation. Mr. Morse commissioned Harley A. Ward and Dow George to install a nine-hole golf course (which later would become a 27-hole complex) at the north end of Winter Park. The clubhouse was built in 1914 then enlarged in 1937, and is the oldest civic building in Winter Park. The City of Winter Park purchased the country club and golf course in its entirety on January 29,1997. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 17, 1999. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
In 1914, a small group of women began planning the formation of a community woman’s club in Winter Park. On January 13,1915, the Woman’s Club of Winter Park was officially created with Mrs. Charles H. Morse elected President. In 1917, Mr. Charles H. Morse gave the land to build a clubhouse. Mr. L. Percival Hutton became the architect with L.C. Townsend selected as the builder. The structure was completed in December 1920, and the first meeting was held on January 21, 1921. The Woman’s Club was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 4, 1995. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
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