PRESS RELEASE: Secretary Byrd Designates Main Street DeFuniak Springs as Florida Main Street Program of the Month

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. –

Today, Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced that Main Street DeFuniak Springs, in Walton County, has been designated the September 2024 Florida Main Street Program of the Month.

“Main Street DeFuniak Springs continues to spearhead efforts to revitalize its historic downtown,” said Secretary Byrd. “The success of local businesses and community events demonstrates the effectiveness of the Main Street program on promoting economic development in tandem with historic preservation.”

Originally inhabited by Native Americans, DeFuniak Springs’ modern story began on March 4, 1881, when the Florida Legislature incorporated the Pensacola & Atlantic Railroad, a subsidiary of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad (L&N). During a survey expedition, the team discovered a picturesque area with a lake known as Open Pond. W.D. Chipley, the survey leader, recognized the site's potential and decided it would be ideal for a new town. Chipley named the lake and town DeFuniak Springs, after Frederick R. DeFuniak, president of the L&N Railroad.

Photographs provided by Main Street DeFuniak Springs, Inc.

In 1885, Chipley and his partners established the Lake DeFuniak Land Company (LDLC) to transform the railroad stop into a thriving town. Their vision included developing a health and hunting resort. Following a meeting between the LDLC and the Chautauqua Movement in New York in 1883, the Florida Chautauqua Association was established in 1884, which brought a new series of cultural and educational events to DeFuniak Springs. These events included Florida’s first Arbor Day celebration in 1885 and the establishment of the Walton County Library in 1886, the state’s oldest library still operating out of its original building. DeFuniak Springs also became known for its educational institutions, including Florida Normal College (later integrated into Florida State University), McCormick University (1886-1888), Palmer College (1907-1936), and the Thomas Industrial Institute. The town’s cultural significance continued to flourish through the turn of the century and into the 1930s and 1940s with an annual Music Festival that drew crowds from across the state.

Today, DeFuniak Springs preserves its historical charm and continues to celebrate its past. With restoration efforts funded significantly through Florida Department of State grants, the historic train depot now houses the Walton Heritage Museum, while the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood, constructed to replace the original auditorium, remains a community gathering place. Although severely damaged by Hurricane Eloise in 1975, the Hall’s western portion facing Circle Drive is still in use. The town’s historic district retains much of its early 20th-century character. Prominent landmarks include First Presbyterian Church and St. Agatha’s Episcopal Church.

Main Street DeFuniak Springs (MSDFS) was formed in 2017 by commercial developer Reynolds Henderson and other local citizens. It was their desire to revive the bustling days of the early 1900s. The 700 block of Baldwin Avenue has been redeveloped and transformed from empty buildings into storefronts filled with boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, and offices. “Growing up in Alabama, I have been passing through DeFuniak Springs my entire life on the way to the beach,” said Henderson. “I realized there was a Historic Downtown DeFuniak Springs, and I was super impressed by the circle lake and historic Victorian houses. I could see the potential in the downtown historic commercial buildings, and I wanted to own property in this amazing town! DeFuniak Springs has so much history, and we are just scratching the surface of its potential."

When Main Street DeFuniak Springs, Inc., began in 2017, there were 18 businesses in the downtown area. Today, there are more than 60 businesses that fill the blocks of downtown DeFuniak Springs, resulting in 113 net jobs being added to the area. Since its inception, MSDFS has reported $7,334,196 in public and private investments, as well as over 3,300 volunteer hours. As the town blossoms and businesses wait for space in the downtown district to become available, MSDFS continues to host events such as Farmers Market; Whiskey Tango; and Merry Main Street, an annual Christmas festival that surrounds the entirety of Lake DeFuniak in decorative lights. MSDFS has partnered with the Cultural Arts Alliance and other organizations to bring art to the streets, enhancing aesthetics through creative projects.

For more information on Main Street DeFuniak Springs, visit MainStreetDFS.org or follow on Facebook or Instagram. 

To learn more about the Florida Main Street program, visit FloridaMainStreet.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

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About Florida Main Street

Florida Main Street is a program administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the Florida Department of State, which currently oversees 56 communities throughout the state. By implementing the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach, Florida Main Street encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation through the revitalization of Florida’s downtowns – the community’s heart and soul.