Lynn Haven in Bay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
John & Retta Ackerson Home
1911
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025
1. John & Retta Ackerson Home Marker
This house was built in 1911 by Union Veteran John O. Ackerson and his wife "Retta" (Henrietta) who came here from Flat River, Missouri. He had served as 1st Lt. in Co A of the 160th NY Infantry (born 1843-died 1920). He was active with the local veterans' GAR and civic affairs. Both are buried at the Lynn Haven Cemetery. The property was sold in 1925 to Mrs. Laura Robinson from Atlanta, Georgia. She and her husband were among the earliest "Coca-Cola Company" investors and so Lynn Haven began its "Coca-Cola" connection. She also owned several other properties in Lynn Haven and came during the winter months. The property was sold again in 1942 and passed into several other owners' hands. It has undergone both restoration and renovation efforts and is again one of Lynn Haven's "pleasing beauty spots" (PC Pilot, Dec 1933).
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° 15.107′ N, 85° 39.107′ W. Marker is in Lynn Haven, Florida, in Bay County. It is at the
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: John M. & Edna Cooley Home (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jerry & Stella Van Kleeck Home (about 500 feet away); Nina Roberts Van Kleeck House (about 500 feet away); Harry H. Lynn Home (about 700 feet away); The Witbeck Cottage (about
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025
2. John & Retta Ackerson Home Marker
The marker is near the southwest corner of the home.
Also see . . .
1. John O. Ackerson (1843-1920) (Find A Grave).
(Mount Hope Cemetery, Lynn Haven, Bay County, Florida, USA) Excerpt: John O. Ackerson of Arcadia, Wayne Co., NY moved west after his Civil War service ended. He married Nettie JC Fowler at St. Louis, Missouri where they raised four children. Nettie died March 5, 1905, at St. Louis., Missouri.(Submitted on April 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)John O. Ackerson and wife #2 Henrietta arrived in Lynn Haven in 1911 from Flat River, Missouri. The Ackersons built a home at 310 West 4th St. and lived in this home til J.O. died in 1920. At that time, popular Mrs. "Retta" Ackerson moved back to live with her relatives in Montgomery Co., VA where she died.
2. 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.(Submitted on April 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)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.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 20253. John & Retta Ackerson HomeLooking north from West 4th Street.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 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
