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Christmas in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
 

Wheeler-Bass House

circa 1905

— Fort Christmas Historical Park —

 
 
Wheeler-Bass House Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 20, 2022
1. Wheeler-Bass House Marker
Inscription. Built by Jim Wheeler in the early 1900s, this small house began as a barn. It was converted to a home shortly after its completion. Early rural homes did not have glass windows. Board shutters were opened to allow entry of light and air circulation. Batten strips were usually placed over the joints in the board siding to seal the building. Notice that on this structure narrow wooden shingles were used instead of the batten strips. The house reflects the family. home where the man works as a day laborer for a large ranch or citrus grove owner. The family owned six acres, planted a garden and raised livestock for their own consumption.

Jim Wheeler's son, Hughlette, grew up with extraordinary talent. He loved horses and cattle so much that he was always sketching and modeling them in clay. He went away to art school and won a scholarship to study in Paris. He became well known in the art world as a sculptor, completing numerous piecθs, the most famous, "Seabiscuit" and "Will Roger on Soapsuds." Six of his pieces are on display in the museum.
 
Erected by Orange County Parks and Recreation.
 
Topics. This historical
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marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, MusicParks & Recreational AreasSettlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
 
Location. 28° 33.667′ N, 81° 1.36′ W. Marker is in Christmas, Florida, in Orange County. It can be reached from North Fort Christmas Road 0.1 miles north of Christmas Cemetery Road, on the left when traveling north. Located within Fort Christmas Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1300 N Fort Christmas Rd, Christmas FL 32709, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Orlando and in Central Florida. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chickens (a few steps from this marker);
Wheeler-Bass House Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 20, 2022
2. Wheeler-Bass House Marker
Woods House (within shouting distance of this marker); Simmons 3 House (within shouting distance of this marker); Florida Sugarcane (within shouting distance of this marker); Beehead Ranch House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Florida Pioneer Gardens (about 300 feet away); Turpentine Tree (about 300 feet away); Fort Christmas Picnic Pavilion (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Christmas.
 
Also see . . .
1. Fort Christmas Historical Park. (Submitted on October 21, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Hughlette "TEX" Wheeler. (Submitted on October 21, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
 
Wheeler-Bass House interior image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 20, 2022
3. Wheeler-Bass House interior
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 361 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on October 21, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
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Sep. 9, 2026