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

Hotel Chautauqua

The Florida Chautauqua Resort/Campus

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Hotel Chautauqua Marker

Inscription. Everyone needed a place to stay when they attended any part of the multi-week Florida Chautauqua Assembly. The Hotel Chautauqua with glamorous amenities, dining hall and spacious front porch once stood on this site. Upon arrival to the resort/campus at the train depot, tourists would walk to this hotel for their stay during the Assembly. Many travel writers referred to this 100-room resort hotel as one of the grandest in the southeast.

In 1913, the Florida Chautauqua Association sold the hotel which was later renamed the Walton Hotel and operated until the 1960's, long after the Chautauqua assemblies ended in 1928. By that time, the grounds no longer served as a resort / campus. Nearly 30 years had passed since thousands came by train for the annual Assembly. The few tourists who passed through the area did not generate enough profit for the owners to maintain the structure. The building was torn down to avoid costly repairs.

(caption) Ad from an original Chautauqua program

Erected by Florida Department of State and the City of DeFuniak Springs. (Marker Number #5.)

Topics. This historical marker is

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listed in these topic lists: Education • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 30° 43.174′ N, 86° 6.901′ 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 in the SW corner of the property now occupied by a large white building owned by Gulf Power Company. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1226 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

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Hotel Chautauqua Marker

of this marker: Fencing and Tents (a few steps from this marker); Tented Classrooms (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroad Pedestrian Crossing (within shouting distance of this marker); The Florida Chautauqua Resort/Campus (within shouting distance of this marker); Chautauqua Tourism (within shouting distance of this marker); Chautauqua Art Department (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Train Depot (about 400 feet away); Wooden Sidewalks (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 2, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Walking Tour Overview. (Submitted on April 2, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Hotel Chautauqua c. 1884 Florida Memory image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Florida Memory

3. Hotel Chautauqua c. 1884 Florida Memory

Hotel Chautauqua c.1889 Florida Memory image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Florida Memory, January 27, 2016

4. Hotel Chautauqua c.1889 Florida Memory

Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 156 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 2, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.