The Ward Home
The Ward Cottage at 621
Osceola Avenue was built for the Rev. Charles W. Ward, who presided over the first Episcopal church service in Winter Park in April 1883. He purchased his lot from
Chapman and
Chase a month later. Unfortunately, his wife Katherine died in 1884. Ward sold his property the following year to
Alonzo Rollins and moved to New Jersey, where he eventually committed suicide. After
Rollins College opened in November 1885, the Ward Cottage served as the first women's dormitory until the completion of Pinehurst, a women's dormitory on campus, in March 1886.
The house, constructed of pine and cypress, was surrounded by orange groves and had open porches. It was known by various names, such as "Seminole Cottage," due to its proximity to the old
Seminole Hotel, and "The Camphors," because of the large, shady trees nearby.
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The Ward Home in 1903. |
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The Ward home. |
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