Lynn Haven in Bay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Pontius House
1911
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025
1. The Pontius House Marker
Mrs. Wilda Pontius and her Union Veteran husband came to Lynn Haven in 1911 and built this house. She was widowed shortly after the home was completed. From then until 1943 it was home to three generations of Pontius women, each active in Lynn Havens churches, schools and civic affairs. The property was purchased in 1968 by Gary and Vicky Keel and lovingly restored by them only to be gutted by fire in April 1999. Once again the exterior was restored and the interior renovated. Many elements of the original house remain unchanged among them the exterior walls and the Yankee roofline. The years have brought additions and changes but the original path to the old privy is still in place in the backyard. Although no children were ever known to reside here, some must have visited as a number of small toys, especially marbles, have been excavated on the site.
Erected by Lynn Haven Heritage Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.
Location. 30° 14.75′ N, 85° 38.649′ W. Marker is in Lynn Haven,
this page online
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 Pomeroy House (a few steps from this marker); Yutzy-Butchers House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lee J. Roberts House (about 700 feet away); G.K. & Eliza Greening House (about 800 feet away); Dr. Johnson N. McCartney House (about 800 feet away); August Brestel Home (approx. 0.2 miles away);
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025
2. The Pontius House Marker
The marker is just inside the fence in front of the house.
Also see . . . History of Lynn Haven (City of Lynn Haven).
Excerpt: Lynn Haven was established in 1911 as the third of three Union Veterans Colonies in the South. Fitzgerald, Georgia was established in 1896. St. Cloud, Florida was established in 1909. Although each of the three Old Soldiers Colonies was organized separately by independent development companies, each site was chosen for health, climate and productiveness of the soil and each recruited future land owners through the use of The National Tribune, a newspaper of the Grand Army of the Republic veterans organization.(Submitted on April 19, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)W. H. Lynn, A. J. Gay and R. L. McKenzie were the primary stockholders of the St. Andrews Bay Development Company. Lynn had been an associate of the National Tribune and the Grand Army of the Republic veterans organization; both A. J. Gay and R. L. McKenzie were also major investors in the Gulf Coast Development Company - creators of the new town of Panama City (incorporated in 1909). These three
men purchased large tracts of land to the east and to the north of Panama City and hoped to use the nucleus of that small city to build a much larger community.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 20253. The Pontius HouseLooking west from Minnesota Avenue.While the actual location of the new soldiers colony was not announced until late December 1910, large numbers of Union Veterans had already started the trek down to North Florida to be ready for the opening of the new settlement. On January 11, 1911 the first offerings of land in the new Lynn Haven took place. One town lot and a five-acre plot outside of the new colony were offered as a package for just $150.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 20 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 19, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
