In 2013, East Washington Street, a short bit of road dipping into Lake Eola Park, was home to 4 houses that faced the playground. Two were built in 1919 and two in 1925.
A Nobel Peace Prize winner lived in one of them. John Raleigh Mott's home was built in 1925 at 528 E. Washington Street (MAP).
Last week City Council approved the placement of a Florida Historical Marker at the site, recognizing his contributions to humanity. The marker has been approved by the Florida Department of State through the Florida Historical Marker Program.
Back in 2013, the City Council chose not to designate Mott's home as a historic landmark, acquired it and then razed it.
Mr Mott (1869-1955) retired to Orlando in 1938. He was given numerous international honors and awards and honorary degrees from six universities including Yale, Edinburgh, Princeton, and Brown. Ultimately, Mr. Mott was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946 for his extraordinary humanitarian work.
The Historic Preservation Board may designate by ordinance any building as an Historic Landmark only when appropriate documentation demonstrates significance in history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture and it possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association and:
Mott's home was not the only home razed on the street in 2013. Two others were razed and one was saved. The other two were built in 1919.
In 2016, an Application Statement of Significance (Read here) claimed that the remaining home at 512 E. Washington Street (MAP) was worthy of recognition as an historic landmark because 3 Criteria for Historic Landmark status had been met:
P.S. Please consider supporting our small, Orlando-loving team by attending our Food Truck Bazaars. We truly appreciate your support!
The Historic Preservation Board may designate by ordinance any building as an Historic Landmark only when appropriate documentation demonstrates significance in history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture and it possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association and:
- That is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or
- That is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
- That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or that represents the work of a master, or that possesses high artistic values; or
- That has yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
Mott's home was not the only home razed on the street in 2013. Two others were razed and one was saved. The other two were built in 1919.
In 2016, an Application Statement of Significance (Read here) claimed that the remaining home at 512 E. Washington Street (MAP) was worthy of recognition as an historic landmark because 3 Criteria for Historic Landmark status had been met:
- The house is associated with the owner, Mr Marsh, and events connected with the citrus industry in general and that played an extremely important part in the history of Orlando which satisfies Criteria A.
- The structure meets Criteria B because George Marsh was a well known and highly respected fruit grower in Central Florida as shown in the application.
- The structure meets the Criteria C as it exhibits the distinctive characteristics of the Mediterranean Revival style in Orlando.
- It is virtually the last surviving historic home on Lake Eola.
- The original owner represents the citrus entrepreneur that came from the north.
- It built at the height of the land boom prior to the housing crash.
- It has an architectural style: Mediterranean revival.
- It may (or may not!) be designed by Orlando’s first female architect, Ida Ryan.
Before
After
P.S. Please consider supporting our small, Orlando-loving team by attending our Food Truck Bazaars. We truly appreciate your support!