Winter Park in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Robert Bruce Barbour House
Casa Feliz
Photographed by Dave W, December 30, 2023
1. Robert Bruce Barbour House Marker
Casa Feliz or "Happy House," was the signature work of Winter Park architect James Gamble Rogers II. In 1932. Massachusetts industrialist Robert Bruce Barbour commissioned Rogers to design a home on the shore of Lake Osceola with the promise, "Design it any way you like. If I don't like it, I'll sell it." Rogers called the commission a "dream come true." Built during the Great Depression at a cost of $28,000, the Barbour estate became Rogers all-consuming project. He drafted plans on site, rolling up his sleeves to assist with carpentry and masonry. Barbour loved the Andalusian-style masonry farmhouse, which stood as crown jewel in the "City of Homes" for the next 70 years. The property faced demolition in 2000, but the community rallied around the house. They raised more than $1.2 million to save and restore the building. The 750-ton structure was moved across Interlachen Avenue to its present location, requiring 20 pneumatically leveled dollies. With the aid of copies of Rogers' drawings and interior photographs taken in the 1930s, dozens of craftsmen and artisans restored the house to its original historic design. In 2008, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A Florida Heritage Site
Erected 2021 by Friends of Casa Feliz, City of Winter Park, and the
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.
Location. 28° 36.174′ N, 81° 21.057′ W. Marker is in Winter Park, Florida, in Orange County. It is at the intersection of North Park Avenue and Whipple Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North Park Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 656 N Park Ave, Winter Park FL 32789, 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: The Kummer Kilbourne House (approx. Ό mile away); Central Park (approx. Ό mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. Ό mile away); Winter Park Veterans Memorial (approx. Ό mile away); A Bit of Winter Park Real Estate History (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Fiftieth Anniversary (approx. 0.4 miles away); Charles Hosmer Morse (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Charles Hosmer Morse (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winter Park.
Also see . . .
1. National Register of Historic Places Registration.
Florida SP Barbour, Robert Bruce, House(Submitted on January 1, 2024, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.)
2. Casa Feliz History.
Casa Feliz, or "Happy House,"(Submitted on January 1, 2024, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.)is the signature residential work of noted architect James Gamble Rogers II. Initially known as the Barbour Estate, this Andalusian-style masonry farmhouse has significantly influenced the architectural and cultural aspects of this community.Photographed by Dave W, December 30, 20232. Robert Bruce Barbour House MarkerMarker with the house in the background.
Photographed by Dave W, December 30, 2023
3. Robert Bruce Barbour House Marker
Looking North along N Park Ave.
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, November 27, 2022
4. Robert Bruce Barbour House
Photographed by Diane Murphy, September 2025
5. Robert Bruce Barbour House Marker
Photographed by Diane Murphy, September 2025
6. Robert Bruce Barbour House Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2024, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 353 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2024, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. 4. submitted on January 10, 2024, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 5, 6. submitted on September 8, 2025, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
