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

Tented Classrooms

The Florida Chautauqua Resort/Campus

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Tented Classrooms Marker

Inscription. This is one of the earliest known photographs of the Florida Chautauqua resort campus grounds before many, buildings were complete. Tents, were first erected for classrooms and accommodations. When leaders first opened the campus grounds for these tented classroom experiences, they called this "The Gulf Chautauqua, and later renamed the annual Assembly "The Florida Chautauqua." Despite the first classrooms being tents they were still considered "luxurious, and the grounds were marketed as a resort as early as the first year of operations in 1885, about the time this photograph was taken.

This location is not known but local historians believe the photograph to be taken somewhere between the Chautauqua train depot and the edge of Lake DeFuniak.

Erected by Florida Department of State and the City of DeFuniak Springs.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 30° 43.183′ N, 86° 6.868′ 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 left when traveling

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west. The marker is located directly across Circle Drive from the visitors center. 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 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: The Florida Chautauqua Resort/Campus (a few steps from this marker); Railroad Pedestrian Crossing (within shouting distance of this marker); Chautauqua Tourism (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 (within shouting

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Tented Classrooms Marker

distance of this marker); First Presbyterian Church (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); 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 April 1, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Walking Tour Overview. (Submitted on April 1, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 1, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.