Defuniak Springs
Florida
City Of DeFuniak Springs
In the 1700's and 1800's the Muscogee / Creek / Euchee Indians lived in and around the DeFuniak Springs area. Lake DeFuniak area was known as Big Pond. Some of these Native American families are still in the area today. Members of the Muscogee Nation of Florida live in and around DeFuniak Springs.
In the 1880's, a surveying party comprised of Colonel W.D. Chipley, Major W.J. VanKirk and W.T. Wright came to a tired halt near a round lake in the heart of a virgin forest. They explored and rested at the site of what is now Lake DeFuniak. Colonel W.D. Chipley, so overwhelmed by the beauty set forth before him, exclaimed, "here a town shall be built!" This was when they first envisioned DeFuniak Springs known as Lake DeFuniak, in honor of Fred R. DeFuniak, who had held many high offices in the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, including that of General Manager. Later, the park around the lake was named Chipley Park, in honor of William Dudley Chipley. Today, Lake DeFuniak is said to be one of two perfectly round lakes in the world.
Under an order from Colonel W.D. Chipley, the area known as Lake DeFuniak was preserved and a station was built there. With the establishment of the station at Lake DeFuniak, people moved up from Euchee Anna and Alaqua and built homes near the lake.
At the same time that the Chautauqua organization received its charter in 1855, the Legislature created the Lake DeFuniak Land Company with Chipley in charge and the real estate boom was on. Today a permanent carousel of homes can be found around the lake which would envision a walk into Victorian times when labor and materials were plentiful and elaborate architectural details were incorporated.
The Walton-DeFuniak Library was established in 1886. It is the second oldest in Florida, with only the library in St. Augustine considered as being older. However, some facts have come to light recently which prove that our library is the oldest in the state that was built as a library and still continues to be used as such.
On March 4, 1881, the Pensacola and Atlantic Railroad was incorporated by an act of the Florida Legislature. The purpose of the act was to construct a 70-mile road from the northwest corner of Florida, near Flomaton, Alabama, where it would join the trackage of what started as the Pensacola and Selma Railroad. This was later in the control and ownership of the Louisville & Nashville, to a connection with the existing Seaboard. Colonel Chipley, in an address delivered in 1896, noted that he had been a member of the 1881 surveying party and that they had camped on the shore of a large pond in Walton County. Being enamored of the spot, Chipley ordered that the area be preserved and that a station be built there.
The City of DeFuniak Springs is the current owner of The Depot Station located on 1140 Circle Drive. The Walton County Heritage Association has transformed it into a Museum with Historical items from Walton County to include DeFuniak Springs. Also The Walton County Heritage Association handles the Caboose and Information Center on Circle Drive. For their hours of operation or other information please contact them at 850-951-2127.
The Historic Chautauqua Building is also owned by the City of DeFuniak Springs and is located at 96 Circle Drive. The Chautauqua Building (A.K.A. Hall of Brotherhood) was established in 1909 and served as an enclosed amphitheater. The building was fully equipped with foot lights and dissolving color effects for the presentation of many plays and grand concerts. This large portion of the auditorium was severely damaged during a hurricane in 1975 and was subsequently removed. Remaining portions of the building have been restored and continue to serve as a focal point of the community, being used for a wide variety of activities.
Recent News
City Of DeFuniak Springs - ACEing Autism - Connecting Kids Through Tennis
April 1 - April 29th At the Tennis Courts located at Clay St. & Plateau Avenue Click Here To View City Of DeFuniak Springs - ACEing Autism - Connecting Kids Through…
Read More »City Of DeFuniak Springs News : City Beautification and Tree Board-Reschedule
Florida Statute 286.0105. Notices of meetings and hearings must advise that a record is required to appeal. Each board, commission, or agency of this state or of any political subdivision thereof shall include in the notice of any meeting or…
Read More »City Of DeFuniak Springs : 19th Annual DeFuniak Springs Christmas Parade
The Christmas Parade will be on Saturday, December 10th, 2022 at 1:00 PM CST on Circle Drive at Lake DeFuniak. Sponsored By: The DeFuniak Springs Woman's Club For more info email [email protected] or call Chris Guzowski at (850)…
Read More »City Of DeFuniak Springs News The Honorable Robert "Bob" H. McKnight ??1951-2022
With heavy hearts and on behalf of his son David McKnight and his daughter Mary Elizabeth McKnight, the City of Defuniak Springs Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and city staff announce the passing of Councilman Robert “Bob” H.…
Read More »City Of DeFuniak Springs Fire Department Hosts 5-Day Live Fire Training
The City of DeFuniak Springs Fire Department will host a 5-Day Live Fire Training Instructor (LFTI) course for firefighters and instructors on November 10, 14, 15, 16, and 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the DeFuniak Springs Community Center…
Read More »City Of DeFuniak Springs News : Tour the NEW City Hall and Meet The Staff!
Join us at our ???? ????? of the NEW City of DeFuniak Springs City Hall and Showcase the City from Tuesday, October 18, 2022 , 4:00PM – 7:00PM at 1350 Baldwin Avenue, DeFuniak Springs. Come by and meet City Staff, City Manager, Mayor, and…
Read More »City Of DeFuniak Springs News : Park plans and trail talks for defuniak springs!
Join us for our ???? ????? ??? ????? ????? on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 5:00PM - 7:00PM at the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood, 96 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs. Do you like to be outdoors and like to participate in discussions about our city…
Read More »City Of DeFuniak Springs Celebrates Florida City Government Week October 17-23, 2022
Activity Schedule Monday, October 17, 2022 - Town Hall Meeting, 5:00PM - 7:00PM Mayor, City Council and City Manager invite all residents to the Town Hall meeting which will be in the main room of the Community Center. The Mayor and Council will…
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Translate Any Page to Another Language! Did you know you can translate any page on our website to another language? Click the "Select Language" button in the bottom right corner of any page. Voila! Click here to View…
Read More »City Of DeFuniak Springs News - Let Us Know What You Want For Parks and Open Spaces
Click Here To View City Of DeFuniak Springs News - Let Us Know What You Want For Parks and Open Spaces!
Read More »City Council Budget Workshop
Florida Statute 286.0105. Notices of meetings and hearings must advise that a record is required to appeal. Each board, commission, or agency of this state or of any political subdivision thereof shall include in the notice of any meeting or…
Read More »City Of DeFuniak Springs Partners With Jacobsengineering To Train Staff And Upgrade Critical Skills
DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla., – Congratulations to our newly certified electricians! The City of DeFuniak Springs has partnered with Jacobs Engineering, our wastewater contractor for almost 20 years, to provide basic-level electrical engineering…
Read More »City Of DeFuniak Springs News - City Council 2022-23 Budget Workshop Schedule
City Council 2022-23 Budget Workshop Schedule City of DeFuniak Springs 2022-23 Budget Workshop Schedule:…
Read More »City of Defuniak Springs News - Public Works Request Form
Use this link to Request a Service or Report a Problem to Public Works. Residents can now request bulk trash pickup, report a streetlight outage, report a pothole or ask a general question for Public Works. …
Read More »City Of DeFuniak Springs News : The Police Department has Moved
The Office of the City Marshal, DeFuniak Springs Police Department has moved into our new building located at 99 South 18th Street, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435 ( across from Post Office). We look forward to better serving you at our new location.…
Read More »DeFuniak Firefighters To provide Advanced Life Support Services
DeFuniak Springs, FL…The City of DeFuniak Springs Fire Department for the first time in its over 100 year history, will begin providing Advanced Life Support services to residents inside of the City limits of DeFuniak Springs. Fire Chief…
Read More »City Of DeFuniak Springs News : Non-Profit Funding Application
To view the Non-Profit Funding Application for 2022 please go to the Government tab at the top of the home page, click on Finance Department, and then scroll to Non-Profit Resources where you will find the link to the application. Thank…
Read More »City Of DeFuniak Springs - 2021 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
We're pleased to present to you this year's Annual Water Quality Report. This report is designed to inform you about the quality water and services we deliver to you every day. Our constant goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of…
Read More »City Of DeFuniak Springs - Executive Session with Council regarding AFSCME negotiations
Location: City Hall, 71 US Hwy 90 W, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435 4:00 PM Central Time Additional…
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