Lynn Haven in Bay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
James M. & Mary Ellis House
1914
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025
1. James M. & Mary Ellis House Marker
James and Mary Ellis came to Lynn Haven in 1911 and built their first home. This house is their second home built in 1914. Ellis was a Union Veteran who served with the Indiana 49th Infantry and he was seldom seen in later years without his G.A.R. medal pinned to his chest. He passed away in 1914 shortly after this house was completed and his widow Mary sold the property in 1924 to Perry & Annie Kyser. The Kysers owned and operated a small cafι and taxi service located on Florida Avenue. The house is remarkably similar to photos of the original house although the front porch has been enclosed and a carport added to the rear. A photograph of the original house was taken by Captain Theo Ryding (LH Photographic Studio) in 1914 and is now in the collection of the BCPL courtesy of the Ellis-Steele Family of Indiana.
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 1914.
Location. 30° 14.939′ N, 85° 39.191′ W. Marker is in Lynn Haven, Florida, in
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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: Nina Roberts Van Kleeck House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jerry & Stella Van Kleeck Home (about 600 feet away); Union Soldier Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Our Honored Dead (approx. 0.2 miles away); John M. & Edna Cooley Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union Soldiers Monument G.A.R. Park
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025
2. James M. & Mary Ellis House & Marker
Looking west from Alabama Avenue.
Also see . . .
1. Sgt. James Marvin Ellis (1842-1914) (Find A Grave).
(Ames Chapel Cemetery, Paoli, Orange County, Indiana, USA) Excerpt: Enlisted on 11/21/1861 as a Private. On 11/21/1861 he mustered into "A" Co. IN 49th Infantry. He Re-enlisted on 2/3/1864. He was Mustered Out on 9/13/1865 at Louisville, KY. Spouse: Mary Ann Beaty Ellis (1843-1928).(Submitted on April 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
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. 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 landowners through the(Submitted on April 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)use of The National Tribune, a newspaper of the Grand Army of the Republic veterans organization.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 20253. James M. & Mary Ellis House Marker (northeast elevation)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 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
