6 Forgotten Historic Houses in Florida

Florida’s story isn’t all beaches and theme parks. Some of its most fascinating chapters hide inside houses that history nearly passed by. These places stand as reminders that Florida’s past isn’t just preserved in textbooks or behind velvet ropes, it lives in quiet corners, waiting for curious visitors to rediscover them.

Each house here offers a new perspective on the state’s evolution. I’ve explored the tales behind their walls, drawn to details that most tourists miss. Whether you’re a fan of quirky architecture, hidden history, or just love a good story, these six houses invite you to see Florida with fresh eyes.

1. Casa de Josefina (Lake Wales)

Casa de Josefina doesn’t just catch the light, it seizes your attention with its theatrical style. Built in 1923 by Irwin Yarnell for his wife, this Lake Wales mansion stands out for its blend of Spanish, Italian, and Gothic influences. Its E-shaped design, with a dramatic corner tower, once overlooked gardens that boasted over 2,000 types of palms.

Despite landing on the National Register of Historic Places back in 1975, the mansion often slips under the radar for travelers. The house’s exterior reveals bold stucco and coquina details that speak of Florida’s Mediterranean Revival moment. Inside, stories linger in shadowy hallways and vaulted rooms, echoes of prosperity and personal ambition.

Many locals will tell you they’ve driven past without realizing its legacy. What’s left today is a rare combination of architectural bravado and forgotten elegance. There’s an irresistible pull to its faded grandeur, a reminder that some of Florida’s most fascinating history asks you to look twice, and maybe step inside to hear the full story. Its charm survives, even as the world outside changes.

2. May-Stringer House (Brooksville)

Stepping up to the May-Stringer House, you feel the weight of a century and a half in every creak of the porch floor. This 1855 Queen Anne–style home, often called a “Painted Lady,” doesn’t just wear its history on the outside, its walls are thick with stories from Florida’s early homesteading days.

Inside, generations of families lived through the Civil War, Reconstruction, and beyond. It has since transformed into the Hernando Heritage Museum, which means visitors can trace local history through preserved rooms and artifacts. But what really intrigues me is how the house keeps its secrets; every corner seems to hold a memory, from family gatherings to moments of loss.

Although ghost tours are popular here, what makes the May-Stringer truly unforgettable is its emotional atmosphere. Craftsmen shaped each detail by hand, and the passage of time layered new meanings onto old wood and glass. Those who visit often leave with more questions than answers, and that’s exactly what keeps me coming back. There’s an honesty to the place that modern museums can’t always match.

3. Riddle House (West Palm Beach / Yesteryear Village)

If houses could swap stories, the Riddle House would have a library’s worth. Built in 1905 as a gatekeeper’s cottage for West Palm Beach’s Woodlawn Cemetery, this Edwardian gem has juggled a variety of roles over the decades. From funeral parlor to art school, its resume is as lively as its former inhabitants.

When the city threatened demolition, preservationists rallied to move the whole house to Yesteryear Village in 1995. Now it sits among other rescued buildings at the South Florida Fairgrounds, quietly anchoring the area’s history. I find its combination of stately design and curious past irresistible.

Walking through, you spot period furnishings and interpretive displays that hint at the people who passed through these doors. Locals know it for its rumored hauntings, but I think its greatest appeal is the way it has adapted and endured. The Riddle House is proof that small buildings sometimes have the longest memories in town.

4. Clapp Octagon House (St. Augustine)

Octagon houses always catch my eye, but the Clapp Octagon House in St. Augustine does more than turn heads, it invites questions. Completed in 1886 for Rollin N. Clapp, it’s the only classic octagonal home in the city and a true rarity for Florida. Its eight sides and wraparound porch look both futuristic and quaint.

This house later became a haven for writers and artists, which only adds to its mystique. The interior’s airy layout and abundant windows make it feel open and creative, even after all these years. I love how the house defies expectations, octagonal rooms are surprisingly cozy, not just oddities from a bygone era.

Most visitors walk past, drawn to the city’s grander landmarks. But those who slow down will discover an architectural gem that quietly resists convention. The Clapp Octagon House remains proof that innovation and beauty sometimes hide in plain sight. Its welcoming oddness is part of St. Augustine’s hidden character.

5. Seth French House (Orange City)

On the surface, the Seth French House looks like a typical old Florida cottage, plain, unassuming, tucked among live oaks. But open its door and you step into the story of Dr. Seth French, a Civil War surgeon and one of Florida’s early state senators. Built in 1876, the house’s simple frame vernacular style masks decades of resilience and family history.

Kept in the family for generations, it survived hurricanes, booms, and busts, never losing its original spirit. The French descendants still act as quiet stewards, preserving more than just wood and nails, they’ve kept alive a sense of place that’s rare these days. I’m always struck by how such an understated home can hold so much meaning.

Few travelers know it exists, but those who find it recognize its value immediately. The Seth French House isn’t about grandeur or spectacle; it’s about grounding, connection, and endurance. It stands as a gentle reminder that some of Florida’s most lasting heritage hides in modest corners.

6. Campbell House (Okahumpka)

Tucked along a quiet road in Okahumpka, the Campbell House, often called the Valentine House, offers a glimpse into 19th-century Florida life. Built around 1880, this frame-vernacular home is one of the few survivors from that era in the region. Its wide porch and unpretentious design set it apart from more ornate residences.

What truly elevates its importance is its connection to Virgil Hawkins, a civil rights advocate who spent part of his youth here. The house stands as a silent witness to the changes that shaped rural Florida and the ongoing fight for justice. There’s something especially poignant about seeing a place tied to both everyday living and major social change.

Few visitors wander this far off the beaten path. But if you do, you’ll find a setting where quiet courage and history blend into the landscape. The Campbell House deserves recognition, not just as a rare survivor, but as a cornerstone of local stories and a testament to personal perseverance.