Winter Park in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Gardens At Depugh Nursing Center
Photographed by Diane Murphy, December 11, 2025
1. The Hardens At Depugh Nursing Center Marker
In the late 1930s, Mary Lee DePugh, with the support of her friend Maud Kraft, had a vision to provide medical services to the Black residents of the Hannibal Square community and opened a medical services center. Physician Dr. Roland Hotard and Pharmacist Bill Taylor contributed to the medical center by providing complimentary services.
In the late 1940s, the Benevolent Club, an outreach of the Ideal Woman's Club and led by Mrs. Chanie Laughlin, raised funds for the operation of the medical center. In 1950s, renowned Rollins College graduate Fred Rogers, along with Black and White residents of Winter Park, helped with continued fundraising for a nursing home.
On January 25, 1956, the new nursing home opened and was named in honor of Mary Lee DePugh The women in the Hannibal Square community volunteered to wash laundry. cook for the patients, and provided the essential daily support to keep the facility running. Today, the Gardens at DePugh Nursing Center, now a charitable 501 (c) (3) organization, continues to offer compassionate, high-quality care.
Erected 2025 by City of Winter Park, Florida.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Horticulture & Forestry • Science & Medicine • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is January 25, 1956.
Location.
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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: Welbourne Avenue Nursery and Preschool (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hannibal Square Historic District (about 600 feet away); The Winter Park Telephone Company (approx. Ό mile away); Freight Depot (approx. 0.3 miles away); Charles Hosmer Morse (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Charles Hosmer Morse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Winter Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Kummer Kilbourne House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winter Park.
Photographed by Diane Murphy, December 2025
2. The Gardens At Depugh Nursing Center Marker
Photographed by Diane Murphy, December 2025
3. The Gardens At Depugh Nursing Center Marker
Photographed by Diane Murphy, 13/2025
4. The Gardens At Depugh Nursing Center Marker
Photographed by Diane Murphy, December 2025
5. The Gardens At Depugh Nursing Center Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2025, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 11, 2025, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
