DeFuniak Springs in Walton County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 27, 2010

1. The Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood Marker

Inscription. The original Chautauqua Institution was founded in 1874 on Lake Chautauqua in western New York state as a vacation school for Sunday school teachers. The idea of providing a retreat for improving religious and secular education for the general public spread rapidly throughout the nation in the 1880s, giving birth to independent Chautauquas that became platforms for discussion of the latest thinking in politics, economics, literature, science and religion. The first Florida Chautauqua convened on the banks of Lake DeFuniak in 1885. It was the second Chautauqua founded in America and was one of many nationwide that attracted noted educators and famous lecturers. The Hall of Brotherhood, containing an auditorium seating 4,000 people was completed in 1910 at a cost of $28,000. By the beginning of the 20th century the national Chautauqua movement had declined and the Florida Chautauqua closed in 1920. The Hall of Brotherhood was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, but in 1975 a hurricane destroyed the auditorium wing and severely damaged the rest of the structure. Since then, there has been an ongoing

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program to fully restore the building.

Erected 1997 by Walton County Education Association, Inc. and Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-377.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 30° 43.006′ N, 86° 6.959′ W. Marker is in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, in Walton County. It is at the intersection of Circle Drive and West Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Circle Drive. Located near the south end of the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Defuniak Springs FL 32435, 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

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 27, 2010

2. The Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood Marker

States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Methodist Episcopal Church (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood (within shouting distance of this marker); Tabernacle (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Agatha’s Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Florida Education Association: The Beginning (within shouting distance of this marker); Recreation (within shouting distance of this marker); The DeFuniak Library (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Walton-DeFuniak Library (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in DeFuniak Springs.

The Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 27, 2010

3. The Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood

As seen from the intersection with West Avenue.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,510 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 17, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.