Gainesville in Alachua County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Historic Haile Homestead At Kanapaha Plantation
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 24, 2013
1. Historic Haile Homestead At Kanapaha Plantation Marker
Inscription.
Historic Haile Homestead At Kanapaha Plantation. . One of the oldest houses in Alachua County, the Historic Haile Homestead was the home of Thomas Evans Haile, his wife Esther Serena Chesnut Haile and 14 of their children. The Hailes came here from Camden, South Carolina in 1854 to establish a 1,500-acre Sea Island Cotton plantation which they named Kanapaha. Enslaved black craftsmen completed the 6,200-square-foot manse in 1856. The 1860 census showed 66 slaves living here. The Hailes survived bankruptcy in 1868 and turned the property into a productive farm, growing a variety of fruits and vegetables including oranges. Serena Haile died in 1895; Thomas in 1896. The Homestead, which passed to son Evans, a prominent defense attorney, became the site of house parties attended by some of Gainesville’s most distinguished citizens. The Hailes had the unusual habit of writing on the walls; all together over 12,500 words with the oldest writing dating to the 1850’s. The Homestead was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. A restoration was completed in 1996. Still partly owned by descendants of Evans Haile, the Homestead is one of the few remaining homesteads built by Sea Island cotton planters in this part of Florida.
Florida Heritage Landmark.
One of the oldest houses in Alachua County, the Historic Haile Homestead was the home of Thomas Evans Haile, his wife Esther Serena Chesnut Haile and 14 of their children. The Hailes came here from Camden, South Carolina in 1854 to establish a 1,500-acre Sea Island Cotton plantation which they named Kanapaha. Enslaved black craftsmen completed the 6,200-square-foot manse in 1856. The 1860 census showed 66 slaves living here. The Hailes survived bankruptcy in 1868 and turned the property into a productive farm, growing a variety of fruits and vegetables including oranges. Serena Haile died in 1895; Thomas in 1896. The Homestead, which passed to son Evans, a prominent defense attorney, became the site of house parties attended by some of Gainesville’s most distinguished citizens. The Hailes had the unusual habit of writing on the walls; all together over 12,500 words with the oldest writing dating to the 1850’s. The Homestead was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. A restoration was completed in 1996. Still partly owned by descendants of Evans Haile, the Homestead is one of the few remaining homesteads built by Sea Island cotton planters in this part of Florida.
Florida Heritage Landmark
Erected 2005 by Historic Haile Homestead and the
Click or scan to see this page online
Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-548.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 29° 35.555′ N, 82° 26.03′ W. Marker is in Gainesville, Florida, in Alachua County. Marker is on SW Archer Road (State Road 24) near SW 85th Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8500 SW Archer Road, Gainesville FL 32608, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding Historic Haile Homestead At Kanapaha Plantation. National Register of Historic Places:
Kanapaha (added 1986 - - #86000915)
Also known as Haile Homestead;Haile Plantation House
♦ Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
♦ Architect, builder, or engineer: Haile,Thomas Evans
♦ Architectural Style: No Style
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 24, 2013
2. Historic Haile Homestead At Kanapaha Plantation Marker
Listed
♦ Area of Significance: Architecture, Agriculture
♦ Period of Significance: 1850-1874
♦ Owner: Private
♦ Historic Function: Domestic
♦ Historic Sub-function: Single Dwelling
♦ Current Function: Agriculture/Subsistence
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 24, 2013
3. Historic Haile Homestead At Kanapaha Plantation Marker, looking north along SW Archer Road (SR 24)
Historic Haile Homestead, Inc, `
4. Historic Haile Homestead At Kanapaha Plantation
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 888 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 14, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.