Ellenton in Manatee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Gamble Mansion and Plantation
Photographed By Julie Szabo, January 15, 2009
1. Gamble Mansion and Plantation Marker
Side One
At the close of the Seminole War in 1842, this frontier was opened to settlement. Major Robert Gamble and other sugar planters soon located along the rich Manatee River valley, and by 1845 a dozen plantations were producing for the New Orleans market. The Gamble Mansion, built principally of native materials, 1845-1850, is an outstanding example of ante-bellum construction and stands today as a monument to pioneer ingenuity and craftsmanship. The plantation included 3500 acres, numerous outbuildings, slave quarters, and wharf from which sugar and molasses were shipped by schooner and steamboat.
[Marker Reverse]:
The Gamble sugar mill, one of the south's largest, was destroyed by Union raiders in 1864. Ruins are located ½ mile north on State Road 683. During the Civil War the mansion was the home of Captain Archibald McNeill, famous Confederate blockade runner. Judah P. Benjamin, Confederate Secretary of State, took refuge here during May 1865 while making his escape from Federal troops following defeat of the Confederacy. The mansion was rescued from decay in 1923 by the Judah P. Benjamin Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Erected 1969 by Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials in cooperation with the Judah P. Benjamin
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the United Daughters of the Confederacy series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 20, 1865.
Location. 27° 31.345′ N, 82° 31.603′ W. Marker is in Ellenton, Florida, in Manatee County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Patten Avenue and Central Avenue. This Florida State Park is open Thursday-Monday 9-5. Tours of the inside of the house ($5) generally run hourly. The original furnishings burned in a fire in a warehouse, but era-style items and flooring have been replaced. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3708 Patten Avenue, Ellenton FL 34222, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Judah P. Benjamin Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Gamble Plantation (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); World War I Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Craig Sugar Mill Chimney
Photographed By Julie Szabo, January 15, 2009
2. Gamble Mansion and Plantation Marker
Side Two
Also see . . .
1. Robert Gamble's Sugar Plantation. Tallahassee FLORIDIAN excerpt, 1888 (Submitted on May 15, 2010.)
2. Judah P. Benjamin. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 15, 2010.)
3. Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial at Gamble Plantation Historic State Park. (Submitted on March 20, 2023.)
Photographed By Julie Szabo, January 15, 2009
3. Gamble Mansion and Plantation Marker
Mansion in the background.
Photographed By Julie Szabo, January 15, 2009
4. Gamble Mansion and Plantation
Photographed By Julie Szabo, January 15, 2009
5. Gamble Mansion bell and cistern at the rear of the house
circa February 2010
6. Gamble Mansion, South side, cistern on right
Photographed By Julie Szabo, January 15, 2009
7. State Park entrance sign at Gamble Mansion
Photographed By Julie Szabo, January 15, 2009
8. Gamble Mansion sugar roller out back
Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2009, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. This page has been viewed 3,322 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 27, 2009, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. 6. submitted on May 15, 2010. 7, 8. submitted on January 27, 2009, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
