Serenity-Now: Gulf Coast Trip - Eden Gardens State Park

Saturday February 4-

We decided to check out another nearby state park – Eden Gardens State Park. This turned out to be an excellent day trip! We took a tour of the house and had a great tour guide. The park was within 10 minutes (by car) of our campground. It consists of a two-story 1895 mansion called the Wesley house and surrounding gardens. The Wesley House was built by William Wesley, who was directly related to Charles Wesley - one of the founders of the Methodist church. Willliam was a pretty prominent lumberman and operated sawmills on the property. He and his wife had several children but none of them wanted to live in the home after their parents passed away. Their children sold the property to a prominent businessman and his wife, but the wife passed away before they could more into it. It was never occupied and fell into disrepair for 10 years. It became a local hangout for kids and vagrants during that time, and many things were stolen from the house. After 10 years it was finally put up for sale again and a publishing magnate from New York named Lois Maxon purchased it for 12,000 dollars (!). She did spend a great deal of money repairing the house and putting in lush gardens. She filled the entire house with antiques as well. She had no children and left the house and property to the state of Florida on the condition that it be kept as is and the public be allowed to tour.

Fun fact- the horror movie "Frogs" was filmed here.