Living in Florida, I am always amazed to learn how the "Fathers of Industry" roamed our small towns which became homes to their winter retreats or hunting lodges.
Growing up my family would kid about how living in Florida must have been miserable without central air conditioning.
Thankfully no one told hatmaker, John Batterson Stetson, who placed his mark on the town of Deland, Florida. Through his philanthropic efforts, he was one of the benefactors of the private college known as Stetson University.
It must have been Mr. Stetson's love of the natural landscape that influenced the construction of a home in 1886 in the midst of 300 acres of orange groves.
This 9,000 square foot estate was originally designed to be twice as large that was until Mrs. Elizabeth Stetson believed a smaller residence would be a better fit for her young family, while also having enough room for the occassional guest or two.
Those occassional guests were none other than the "Who's Who" of the Gilded Age. The likes of the Mellons, the Carnegies, the Vanderbilts, Henry Flagler, President Grover Cleveland, President Ulysses S. Grant, as well as Prince Edward (son of Queen Victoria) visited -- just to name drop a few!
In fact, Thomas Alva Edison (another Florida winter resident) oversaw the installation of electricity to the mansion. Since it was one of the first homes of its day to even have electricity, the building of a power plant was also necessary addition to the small town.
Gothic, Moorish, and Tudor architectural influences highlight every inch of this estate, but the home's standout features are the exquisite parquet flooring and intricate hand-carved woodwork. Archways and window details are throughout the whole space and a feast for the eyes.
Present day owners and residents, Michael Solari and J.T. Thompson, saved this 125 year old landmark in a span of three years and offer tours to the public. Our tour laughed that having your home open year round to strangers is one way to keep it picked up!
Walking the halls and exploring each room is delightful. Michael and J. T. have beautifully kept the home true to its first owner while making it highly modern with its necessary amenities.
During the tour, the guide tells Stetson family tidbits that have you believing that you actually know these Pennsylvannia residents. John Batterson Stetson was married three times. His third and final wife was Elizabeth, who was 28 years his junior. Elizabeth gave John B. three sons.
Mrs. Stetson was born in Ohio, but traveled to Philadelphia where John B. started his famous hat company. Elizabeth was an accomplished pianist, and John B. that met her through being her music lesson benefactor. Elizabeth, being a lover of culture and fine arts, must have shuttered when she first came to the mosquito ladden state of Florida.
Believe it or not, the Stetson's also cared for some unusual and exotic pets like monkeys and alligators. In homage to "Ponce" and "Leon" (the family's pet gators), one of the restoration designers has treated the walls in a third floor guest room with an unusal treatment (a faux finish of croc hide).
Trinkets are sprinkled throughout the house painting the story of man who was truly a master craftsman and retailer. John B. was one of 12 children of a hat maker. At a young age, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and traveled westward to improve his health. Out there, he dreamed of making a hat that would help meet the needs of westerners. Discovering that beaver hide was naturally water resistant, Stetson's early hat designs met a new criteria for those living out west. A taller hat would help to insulate the head in the winter as well as help with increased air flow in warmer weather. A wider brim was necessary to shield the sun. Finally, the Stetson hat was born and the rest is history!