Lafayette Park in Tallahassee in Leon County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Towle House
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, June 16, 2016
1. Towle House Marker
Inscription.
Towle House. . Built in 1847, this was the home of Simon Towle, a member of the Whig Party who served as Tallahassee mayor and state comptroller. The house features Classical Revival elements with a symmetrical facade and two-story columned portico. A gothic influence appears in the decorative exterior trim. Richard Whitaker, a cotton planter, bought the house in 1854 and expanded it to include the second story and the columned front porch. During the 20th century, ownership changed several times. By 1906, the house was owned by Sallie Blake, an administrator at the Florida State College for Women (now Florida State University). It was sold to Nathaniel Brewer in 1922 and then to Malcolm Yancy in 1942, when Yancy was the Tallahassee city manager. Yancy reportedly discovered Confederate money in the ceiling. Lucille Givhan bought the house in 1968, and it was vacated in 1974. The building was renovated in 1976 for use by the Florida Democratic Party Executive Committee as their headquarters until 2002. Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart and Shipley, PA purchased the property, carefully restored the house, and received honorable mention for their work from the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, Inc.
Built in 1847, this was the home of Simon Towle, a member of the Whig Party who served as Tallahassee mayor and state comptroller. The house features Classical Revival elements with a symmetrical facade and two-story columned portico. A gothic influence appears in the decorative exterior trim. Richard Whitaker, a cotton planter, bought the house in 1854 and expanded it to include the second story and the columned front porch. During the 20th century, ownership changed several times. By 1906, the house was owned by Sallie Blake, an administrator at the Florida State College for Women (now Florida State University). It was sold to Nathaniel Brewer in 1922 and then to Malcolm Yancy in 1942, when Yancy was the Tallahassee city manager. Yancy reportedly discovered Confederate money in the ceiling. Lucille Givhan bought the house in 1968, and it was vacated in 1974. The building was renovated in 1976 for use by the Florida Democratic Party Executive Committee as their headquarters until 2002. Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, PA purchased the property, carefully restored the house, and received honorable mention for their work from the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, Inc.
Erected 2015 by Searcy Denny Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number
Click or scan to see this page online
F-866.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location. 30° 26.851′ N, 84° 16.763′ W. Marker is in Tallahassee, Florida, in Leon County. It is in Lafayette Park. Marker is on North Calhoun Street just south of East Georgia Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 517 North Calhoun Street, Tallahassee FL 32301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 239 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 14, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
