Lynn Haven in Bay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Witbeck Cottage
1918
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025
1. The Witbeck Cottage Marker
This small cottage was built in 1918 as a "winter residence" for John L. & Marietta Witbeck from Illinois. Mr. Witbeck was the President of the First National Bank of Belevidere, Illinois. They and their grown children as well as grandchildren used the small "winter cottage" until 1930 when it passed into other hands. Many of the immediate neighbors were related and longtime friends from "back north" and each owner of the cottage has passed ownership forward through their families. Although the small cottage has had additions and improvements throughout the years, it still retains all the charm of the original.
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 1918.
Location. 30° 15.148′ N, 85° 38.972′ W. Marker is in Lynn Haven, Florida, in Bay County. It is on Florida Avenue just south of West 3rd Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker is on the lawn in front of the Witbeck Cottage. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal
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: Harry H. Lynn Home (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bates Home (within shouting distance of this marker); John & Retta Ackerson Home (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); John M. & Edna Cooley Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jerry & Stella Van Kleeck Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nina Roberts Van Kleeck House (approx. 0.2 miles away); James M. & Mary Ellis House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Alonzo Ogdon House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025
2. The Witbeck Cottage Marker
The marker is on the lawn in front of the Witbeck Cottage.
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 Witbeck Cottage
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 19, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
