Lynn Haven in Bay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Gessel-Porter House
Built 1912
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025
1. The Gessel-Porter House Marker
L. W. Lew (1867-1937) and wife Carrie Gessel, came to Lynn Haven from Ohio and built this two-story home for their family in 1912. Both were prolific produce gardeners. They grew fruit, nut and citrus trees and raised poultry as well and for a time operated a small grocery business from this home. Carrie Gessel was well known for her ability to raise a large volume of produce from a small garden and also supplied other local grocery businesses from her crops. The Gessel family occupied this property from 1912 until 1938 when widowed Carrie Gessel sold her home to Richmond and Edna Porter. They lived here from 1938 until 1974. R. V. Porter owned a service station on Ohio Avenue and was an elected Lynn Haven City Commissioner. The portion of the north side of the house was added at a later date. It retains much of the early details.
Erected by Lynn Haven Heritage Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 30° 14.334′ N, 85° 38.99′ 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: Captain John Rogers House (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Daniel Johnson House (approx. Ό mile away); The Virden Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Castle House (approx. 0.4 miles away); August Brestel Home (approx. half a mile away); Dr. Johnson N. McCartney House (approx. half a mile away); First Presbyterian Church of Lynn Haven, FL
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025
2. The Gessel-Porter House Marker
The marker is on the lawn, directly in front of the house.
Also see . . . 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 19, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025
3. The Gessel-Porter House
Looking east from Florida Avenue.
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, 3. submitted on April 19, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
