Lynn Haven in Bay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
John M. & Edna Cooley Home
1925
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025
1. John M. & Edna Cooley Home Marker
This large Craftsman-style home was built in late 1925 by John Milton Cooley, son of Civil War Veteran Rev. Milton B. Cooley. The Cooley family first came to Lynn Haven in 1911 and erected a small "winter home" nearby that burned down within one year. By 1925, the extended members of the Cooley family were deeply involved in the community of the young Lynn Haven. John M. and wife Edna brought their three sons to live in Lynn Haven as well. Both John M. and Edna were active within the churches and school and at the time of John's death in 1953, he was a sitting Lynn Haven City Commissioner. "Cooley's Radio Repair Shop" on Florida Avenue is still well remembered. The house has been both renovated and restored and still represents the best architectural style of the 1920's. The senior Cooley family home is still nearby on Alabama Avenue.
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 1925.
Location. 30° 15.098′ N, 85° 39.156′ W. Marker is in Lynn Haven, Florida, in Bay County.
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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: John & Retta Ackerson Home (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nina Roberts Van Kleeck House (about 500 feet away); Jerry & Stella Van Kleeck Home (about 500 feet away); James M. & Mary Ellis House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harry H. Lynn Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Witbeck Cottage (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Bates Home
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2025
2. John M. & Edna Cooley Home & Marker
Looking south from West 4th Street.
Also see . . .
1. Milton Buckingham Cooley (1840-1932) (Find A Grave).
(Mount Hope Cemetery, Lynn Haven, Bay County, Florida, USA) Excerpt: Aged 19 years enlisted October 21, 1861 mustered in December 16, 1861 as Sergeant with Co. D. 75th Ohio Infantry wounded at 2nd Bull Run, Virginia on August 30, 1862 discharged for disability February 28, 1863.(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 land owners through the use of The National Tribune, a newspaper of the Grand Army of the Republic(Submitted on April 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)veterans organization.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 20253. John M. & Edna Cooley Home (northwest 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 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
