A. C. Freeman House
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A. C. Freeman House | |
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| Location | 311 West Retta EsplanadePunta Gorda, Florida |
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| Coordinates | 26°56′18″N 82°2′27″W / 26.93833°N 82.04083°WCoordinates: 26°56′18″N 82°2′27″W / 26.93833°N 82.04083°W |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1903 |
| Architect | Freeman, A. C. |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP Reference # | 86003648[1] |
| Added to NRHP | January 7, 1987 |
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The A. C. Freeman House (also known as the Gilchrist House) is a historic home in Punta Gorda, Florida. It is located at 311 West Retta Esplanade. In 1987 it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[1]
The house now includes a museum of local history operated by the Punta Gorda Historical Society, as well as offices of the town's Chamber of Commerce.[2]
It was deemed significant for reflecting Queen Anne style architecture, asserted to be rare in South Florida, and for association with businessman and politician Augustus C. Freeman. Freeman owned a hardware store and a citrus grove, among other ventures. He served in various city government positions from 1896 to 1904, including as mayor during the later four or five years. During the 1902 mayoral campaign he was described as "'Industrious, frugal and obliging. . . well-to-do, but probably not a millionaire'".[3]
The land was purchased by Freeman in 1903 from Albert Gilchrist, who later became Governor of the state, and there has been a local legend that the house belonged to him, but in fact it was built for Freeman.[3]
The house was moved two blocks in 1985 before a restoration began, but the move was not deemed to have disturbed historic integrity.[3]
References
- 1 2 National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
- ↑ "A. C. Freeman House". Punta Gorda Historical Society.
- 1 2 3 Ann J. Kelly and Michael Zimny (October 1986). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: A. C. Freeman House / Gilchrist House" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved September 30, 2016. with 12 photos from 1986 and 2 historic photos
External links
- A.C. Freeman House, at Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs
- A. C. Freeman House - Punta Gorda Historical Society
