Lynn Haven in Bay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Captain John Rogers House
1912
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025
1. Captain John Rogers House Marker
Captain John and wife Carrie Rogers came to Lynn Haven in 1911 and purchased this corner property to build their new home which was completed in early 1912. Captain Rogers was a Union Veteran from West Virginia. He made additional repairs and improvements to the house in 1923 but lost his wife Carrie in early 1924. Captain Rogers passed away in November of 1924. The "Panama City Pilot," Nov. 1924 called Captain Rogers a "loyal citizen, a good neighbor and a kind friend." Ironically, each of the five families who have had ownership of this property since 1935 through the present have been involved in the real estate business. Although its open porches have been closed in and it hasn't been used as a family residence for years, it still holds fond memories for many local Lynn Haven citizens.
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 1912.
Location. 30° 14.453′ N, 85° 38.997′ W. Marker is in Lynn Haven, Florida, in Bay County. It is at the intersection of Florida Avenue
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 Gessel-Porter House (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Daniel Johnson House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Virden Home (approx. Ό mile away); The Castle House (approx. 0.3 miles away); August Brestel Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Lynn Haven, FL
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025
2. Captain John Rogers House & Marker
Looking southwest from Florida Avenue.
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.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 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 19, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
