Additional Information for Eden Gardens State Park
The Wesley House
The house was probably the largest residential structure in the area. The house’s timber framing was cut nearby and floated down the Choctawhatchee river. The design was one that became familiar throughout the Florida panhandle during the 19th century: two stories, each made up of two equal groups of two rooms, divided by a central hallway on both stories. Its style of construction was well-adapted to Gulf coast conditions in the days before air conditioning. The house was built on piers, permitting air circulation while avoiding extreme flood damage when Tucker Bayou or Choctawhatchee Bay rose. Porches circled both stories. Windows on both floors were very large permitting free air circulation during the hot, humid months.
Lois Maxon developed the Wesley house as a showplace for her collection of family heirlooms and antiques. Changes were made to suit her needs. Two original chimneys and partition on the first story were removed to make the large music room. A fireplace and chimney were added on the south porch. Extra rooms were created at the rear of the house by enclosing the porches of both stories. The brick infill around the foundation that makes the house appear to have a solid basement probably dates from her time as well. The grounds were developed by Miss Maxon to show the house to full advantage. In 1968, Miss Maxon donated Eden to the state of Florida in memory of her parents.
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