Historic District Tour

Two men looking at a large information panel

The Florida Chautauqua Resort/Campus Grounds - listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Begin at 1162 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs, Florida  32435

Download Walking Tour Map/Brochure

The historic district of DeFuniak Springs, Florida is mostly comprised of a once-gated resort/campus opened in 1885 for a seasonal, multi-week event called the Florida Chautauqua Assembly.  The Assemblies lasted until 1927, and the resort/campus on which they took place was once marketed as "The Education Resort of the South."  This former resort/campus today is listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to the historical relevance to American culture, the unique structures which comprised the once-gated resort/campus and the notable Americans who lectured here.

Find out about these famous lecturers who originally lectured here and the notable visitors who have attended the revived Assemblies since 1996.  Then take your tour by walking in the footsteps of presidents, first ladies, American poets, songwriters, Hollywood stars, ambassadors to learn more about America’s hidden history in DeFuniak Springs, Florida.

The interpretive panels displayed throughout these grounds were funded with a state grant from the Florida Division of Historical Resources.

  1. Start at 1162 Circle Drive for an overview of the campus/resort grounds and history;
  2. Download this 2-page walking tour map to find locations of 17 interpretive panels installed throughout the grounds.  You may also pick up a map inside the Visitors Center Monday-Thursday, 10am-2pm.
  3. If you click on any of the photos below of the interpretive panels, you will first see the GPS location (physical address) of the panel so you can easily find it.
  4. Bad weather or difficulty walking?  Drive to each panel identified on the map, then select the panel (photographic link) below on your cell phone to read what is on the panel from the comfort of your vehicle.

Enjoy your tour, and thank you for visiting historic DeFuniak Springs, Florida!  Your self-guided walking tour is made possible with a 2019 grant from the Florida Division of Historical Resources.

Start your Tour at the DeFuniak Springs Visitors Center, 1162 Circle Drive

men looking at large signs with pictures

#1 Train Depot:

Sign about the history of the train depot in DeFuniak Springs, Florida

#2 Chautauqua Tourism:

Sign about the history of tourism in DeFuniak Springs, Florida

#3 Railroad Pedestrian Crossing:

Sign about the history of the railroad crossing in DeFuniak Springs, Florida

#4 Tented Classrooms:

Sign about the history of tented classrooms in DeFuniak Springs, Florida

#5 Hotel Chautauqua

Sign about the history of Hotel Chautauqua in DeFuniak Springs, Florida

#6 Fencing and Tents

Sign about the history of fences in the historic district of DeFuniak Springs, Florida

#7 Chautauqua Art Department

Sign about the history of the Chautauqua Art Department in DeFuniak Springs, Florida

#8 Wooden Sidewalks

Sign about the history of wooden sidewalks in DeFuniak Springs, Florida

#9 DeFuniak Library

Sign with information about the DeFuniak Library

#10 Tabernacle

Sign with information about the history of a tabernacle in DeFuniak Springs, FL

#11 Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood

Sign with information about the history of the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood

#12 Methodist Episcopal Church

Sign with information about the Methodist Episcopal Church in DeFuniak Springs, FL

#13 St. Agatha's Episcopal Church

Sign with history of St. Agatha's Episcopal Church in DeFuniak Springs, Florida

#14 Recreation

Sign with information about recreation on Lake DeFuniak between 1885 and 1927

#15 Pansy Cottage

Sign with information about a cottage in DeFuniak Springs called Pansy Cottage

#16 Dream Cottage

Sign about a cottage in DeFuniak Springs called the Dream Cottage

#17 First Presbyterian Church

Sign about the history of First Presbyterian Church in DeFuniak Springs, Florida