Historic District Walking Tour
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 Assembly lasted until 1927 and was once marketed as “The Education Resort of the South.” These grounds are 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.
- Start at 1162 Circle Drive for an overview of the campus/resort grounds and history;
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
