DeFuniak Springs in Walton County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Chautauqua Tourism

The Florida Chautauqua Resort/Campus

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Chautauqua Tourism Marker

Inscription. After the Florida Chautauqua resort/ campus grounds opened in 1885, the annual Assembly grew to attract up to 4,000 people a day. However, there was only one hotel built on these grounds (Hotel Chautauqua) with approximately 100 rooms. Therefore, many boarding houses, hotels and a downtown business district developed throughout several blocks along Baldwin Avenue to accommodate the needs of guests to the resort/ campus grounds.

By the 1890s, Baldwin Avenue became the epicenter for shopping and dining and eventually included a movie theater and attractions like a merry-go-round to further entice tourists to take train excursions to the grand Florida Chautauqua resort/campus.

In 1898, a fire destroyed most of the business district which was primarily built of wood. The structures were replaced with brick construction. At the beginning of the 20th century, the business community had recovered from the devastating fire and was thriving until the annual Assembly ended in 1928.

In 2017, the Florida Secretary of State declared the historic downtown business district of DeFuniak Springs a Florida Main Street Community

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making the original Florida Chautauqua resort/campus grounds and historic downtown business district a tourist attraction and destination once again.
(captions)
Hundreds of resort/campus guests cross railroad tracks for downtown shopping. Note the merry-go-round left of American flag.

Merry-go-round on Baldwin Ave during Chautauqua era.

Erected by Florida Department of State and the City of DeFuniak Springs. (Marker Number #2.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 30° 43.206′ N, 86° 6.875′ W. Marker is in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, in Walton County. It is on Circle Drive 0.2 miles west of South 7th Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located behind the visitors center (NW corner of the property) near the railroad tracks. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1162 Circle Drive, Defuniak Springs FL 32435, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Chautauqua Tourism Marker

in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

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: Railroad Pedestrian Crossing (a few steps from this marker); The Florida Chautauqua Resort/Campus (within shouting distance of this marker); Tented Classrooms (within shouting distance of this marker); Train Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Hotel Chautauqua (within shouting distance of this marker); Fencing and Tents (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Presbyterian Church (about 500 feet away); Chautauqua Art Department (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in DeFuniak Springs.

Also see . . .
1. Florida Chautauqua Association - Our History. (Submitted on March 31, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Walking Tour Overview.

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(Submitted on March 31, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 115 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 31, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.