Inverness in Citrus County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
R. O. Hicks House
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, November 1, 2018
1. R. O. Hicks House Marker
Inscription.
R. O. Hicks House. . According to the old family bible, Robert Orval and Emma (Demoss) Hicks, Tennessee farmers, married in 1888 and established a successful steam boat business, carrying fruit and vegetables down the Withlacoochee River just east of Inverness. A freeze in 1894/95 killed the citrus groves, causing Mr. Hicks to sell his boat and with the proceeds built this house in 1899/1900. Mr. Hicks designed the octagonal-shaped house in the belief that it would conserve space, yet have the same cooling effect as other “Cracker” type houses with central corridors, and the eight-sided roof would better withstand hurricanes. He added the picket fence to keep out the livestock. The oldest child Eva, was the first and only graduate of Citrus High in 1908, and a world war two Army Nurse. The other children were Agnes, Tommie, and the youngest, Robert Flint. Robert met Bessie (Delaney) Hicks, a school teacher from Ohio, and married in 1930, but moved back to Florida shortly thereafter to help his dad whose health was failing, operate their groves. The grove located at Hick's Point, close to Gospel Island bridge, was operated by the Hicks family until sold in 2003. After the death of Robert O., daughter Eva lived out her life in this house. Robert Flint and Bessie raised their children, daughter Barbara and son Lynn in this house. “Miss Bessie” taught school for 22 years in Citrus County, and lived in the house until it was purchased by the Chamber of Commerce in 2005. Three days before the dedication of this plaque, “Miss Bessie” turned 100 years old (May 15, 2006) ,
Dedicated May 18, 2006 , City of Inverness and the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce.
According to the old family bible, Robert Orval and Emma (Demoss) Hicks, Tennessee farmers, married in 1888 and established a successful steam boat business, carrying fruit and vegetables down the Withlacoochee River just east of Inverness. A freeze in 1894/95 killed the citrus groves, causing Mr. Hicks to sell his boat and with the proceeds built this house in 1899/1900. Mr. Hicks designed the octagonal-shaped house in the belief that it would conserve space, yet have the same cooling effect as other “Cracker” type houses with central corridors, and the eight-sided roof would better withstand hurricanes. He added the picket fence to keep out the livestock. The oldest child Eva, was the first and only graduate of Citrus High in 1908, and a WWII Army Nurse. The other children were Agnes, Tommie, and the youngest, Robert Flint. Robert met Bessie (Delaney) Hicks, a school teacher from Ohio, and married in 1930, but moved back to Florida shortly thereafter to help his dad whose health was failing, operate their groves. The grove located at Hick's Point, close to Gospel Island bridge, was operated by the Hicks family until sold in 2003. After the death of Robert O., daughter Eva lived out her life in this house. Robert Flint and Bessie raised their children, daughter Barbara and son Lynn in this house. “Miss Bessie”
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taught school for 22 years in Citrus County, and lived in the house until it was purchased by the Chamber of Commerce in 2005. Three days before the dedication of this plaque, “Miss Bessie” turned 100 years old (May 15, 2006)
Dedicated May 18, 2006
City of Inverness and the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce
Erected 2006 by City of Inverness, Florida & the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce.
Location. 28° 50.211′ N, 82° 20.052′ W. Marker is in Inverness, Florida, in Citrus County. Marker is at the intersection of Tompkins Street and North Osceola Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Tompkins Street. Marker is mounted directly on the subject building, at eye-level, on the front wall just to the right of the main entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 Tompkins Street, Inverness FL 34453, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. Marker is a large, embossed metal plaque.
Regarding R. O. Hicks House. The R.O. Hicks House is currently occupied by a beauty salon business.
Also see . . . R. O. Hicks House. The house was uniquely designed with an octagonal roof with the belief that the structure could therefore weather hurricanes. This home is possibly the oldest home remaining in Inverness. The only changes to the house have been the addition of the front porch and two bathrooms. The spacious high-ceiling living room, dining room and kitchen have remained unaltered.
The house was constructed of solid heart of pine lumber and surrounded by the original fence. The Hicks family continues to operate a successful orange grove in the city near the Gospel Island Bridge. (Submitted on November 8, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, November 1, 2018
3. R. O. Hicks House (northeast corner view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, November 1, 2018
4. R. O. Hicks House (northwest corner view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, November 1, 2018
5. R. O. Hicks House (front view from Tompkins Street)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 233 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 8, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
