Lynn Haven in Bay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Castle House

1912

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025

1. The Castle House Marker

Inscription.
The original 2-story portion of the house was built in 1912 by Union Veteran L.C. Christopherson but was sold in 1913 to Union Veteran Andrew Jackson & wife Martha. Jackson served in Co F, 35th Indiana Infantry. Under the next ownership, the large “Spanish-style” porch and garage were added during the late 1920s when the Lynn Haven City Hall was being built. This earned it the nickname “The Castle House”. The J.B. Atkinson Family lived in the house until 1936. During the years of WWII, it was wildly rumored that Clark Gable (then in Pilot Training at Tyndall Air Field) was spending time here. Though never proven, it was accepted as fact and many young women casually strolled down Indiana Avenue hoping for “just a glimpse”. None was ever found. Although the mixed style is unusual, “The Castle House” remains a landmark.

Erected by Lynn Haven Heritage Committee.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Believe It or Not series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.

Location. 30° 14.544′ N,

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85° 38.722′ W. Marker is in Lynn Haven, Florida, in Bay County. It is on Indiana Avenue just north of East 11th Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is mounted on a brick gatepost near the southeast corner of the house. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1018 Indiana Avenue, Lynn Haven FL 32444, 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 Virden Home (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Daniel Johnson House (about 600 feet away); August Brestel Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Johnson N. McCartney House

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025

2. The Castle House Marker

The marker is mounted on a brick gatepost near the southeast corner of the house.

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Lee J. Roberts House (approx. ¼ mile away); The Pomeroy House (approx. ¼ mile away); The Pontius House (approx. ¼ mile away); Yutzy-Butchers House (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lynn Haven.

Also see . . .
1. Lynn Haven, Florida (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Lynn Haven was founded in 1911 by Union veterans from the American Civil War. The town was named after W. H. Lynn, a primary stockholder of the St. Andrews Bay Development Company, the corporation that owned and developed the land on which Lynn Haven grew.

(Submitted on April 16, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Maj. Clark Gable (National Museum of the United States Air Force).

Excerpt: Although he was beyond the draft age at the time the U.S. entered World War II, Clark Gable enlisted as a private in the AAF on Aug. 12, 1942, at Los Angeles. He attended the Officers' Candidate School at Miami Beach, Fla., and graduated as a second lieutenant on Oct. 28, 1942. He then attended aerial gunnery school, and in February 1943, on personal orders from Gen. Hap Arnold, he went to
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025

3. The Castle House
England to make a motion picture of aerial gunners in action.
He was assigned to the 351st Bomb Group at Polebrook and although neither ordered nor expected to do so, flew operational missions over Europe in B-17s to obtain the combat film footage he believed was required for producing the movie, titled "Combat America."
Gable returned to the U.S. in October 1943 and was relieved from active duty as a major on June 12, 1944, at his own request, since he was over-age for combat. Because his motion picture production schedule made it impossible for him to fulfill his AAF Reserve officer duties, he resigned his commission on Sept. 26, 1947.

(Submitted on April 16, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 124 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 16, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.