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

The Bates Home

1912

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025

1. The Bates Home Marker

Inscription.
In July of 1912, Mrs. Lovinia Bates and husband L.E. Bates of Battle Creek, Michigan came to Lynn Haven with the migration of Union Veterans of the North. They began construction of this home almost immediately. In 1913, Mrs. L.E. Bates proposed the concept of "States' Clubs" and became the first President of the "Michigan Club." She hosted the first meeting of "Michiganders" in this home in late 1913 and also helped other state groups organize themselves. The "States' Clubs" were a vital means for the new settlers to get to know and bond with each other as well as to stave off homesickness. In the early 1920's, Mr. & Mrs. Partridge bought the house and added to the attractive "landmark home." Bricks used in the gardens are remnants of an original chimney demolished by "Hurricane Ivan."

Erected by Lynn Haven Heritage Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.

Location. 30° 15.171′ N, 85° 38.964′ W. Marker is in Lynn Haven, Florida, in Bay County. It

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

is at the intersection of West 3rd Street and Florida Avenue, on the left when traveling west on West 3rd Street. The marker is beside the sidewalk on the north/front side of the Bates Home. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 Florida 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: Harry H. Lynn Home (within shouting distance of this marker); The Witbeck Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); John & Retta Ackerson Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); John M. & Edna Cooley Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jerry & Stella Van Kleeck Home

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025

2. The Bates Home Marker

The marker is beside the sidewalk in front of the house and may be partially obscured by the shrubbery.

(approx. ¼ mile away); Nina Roberts Van Kleeck House (approx. ¼ mile away); James M. & Mary Ellis House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Alonzo Ogdon House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lynn Haven.

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.
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
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025

3. The Bates Home (northwest elevation)
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.

(Submitted on April 20, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on April 19, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on April 20, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.