The Clifford House - Eustis

 

The Clifford House (1911)

 Eustis, Florida

 

Completed in 1911, Clifford House proudly stands astride Lake Eustis as a memorial to one of the Great Lake Region’s earliest settlers – a merchant and town builder - a pioneer who refused to give up even in the aftermath of Florida's Great Freeze. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, the history attached to its application states the original owner, Guilford Clifford, had designed the house years earlier, but actual construction was delayed because of Florida’s Great Freeze of 1894-95. Many of Clifford’s fellow founders up and left the area following that freeze.

Although the name Clifford may not top a list of first settlers of the Great Lake Region, his name rightfully belongs near the top. An 1883 Eustis history states Guilford D. Clifford was among the first group of pioneers to arrive at Lake Eustis in 1875. As of that time only a handful of settlers could be found anywhere in the vicinity of the lake. Fort Mason settlers, an area now part of the town limits of Eustis, established a post office in September 1872. And a year earlier, James Hull had been appointed Lake Eustice (sic) Postmaster. Hull had homesteaded on the southeast corner of Lake Eustis, on land later established as part of Tavares. 

Guilford David Clifford (1843-1919)

Rome, New York and Eustis, Florida

 

Augustus Pendry was constructing his historic Ocklawaha House Hotel about the time Clifford arrived in the lakes region. A predecessor to the town of Eustis, Pendryville Post Office opened July 9, 1877.

Although the historic Clifford House of this post has been a downtown Eustis landmark for 110 years, Guilford Clifford himself did not at first settle here. His first homestead was nearer the town of Tavares. In fact, Clifford Street of Tavares is named for this early pioneer. And prior to having a street named for him, Lake Woodward of today was identified on an 1879 map of this region as Lake Clifford.

Chapter 7 of my book, Tavares: Darling of Orange County, Birthplace of Lake County, provides an extensive biography of Guilford David Clifford, and includes a letter of recommendation for Eustis land agent, John A. MacDonald. Clifford provided a little background on himself in that letter too:

“This letter I value very highly, as Mr. Clifford is a very conservative and cautious businessman, and would say nothing that he does not believe in. John A. MacDonald

“Eustis, Orange County, Fla., July 12, 1883

“This is to say that I have been personally acquainted with John A. MacDonald, Esq., since October 1875, during which time my own dealings with him have amounted to nearly $15,000. I have been personally cognizant of his dealings, both with neighbors and with strangers. I cheerfully certify that I know his transactions have been generally satisfactory, and that his judgment and ability to please in the selection and location of lands for parties have been successful. I have never known anyone following the same calling and take pleasure in recommending him as being reliable and trustworthy.”

Guilford D. Clifford

 

Guilford D. Clifford, born July 7, 1843 at Rome, New York, came to Florida in 1875. New Yorker Charles T. Smith arrived at the same time, and MacDonald reported helping Smith and Clifford locate a homestead. In fall 1881, Guilford Clifford served as a witness to the Alexander St. Clair-Abrams and Robert L. Summerlin acquisition of 147 acres, the second of several parcels that, one year later, became the new town of Tavares.

Smith and Clifford, both area merchants, in 1880 turned their interests toward property along the shore of Lake Eustis north of Pendryville. Clifford bought out Smith that same year, and Guilford began developing this property – 30 acres, plus another 40 acres a year later, land which includes the Clifford House of today.

 

Clifford’s Add to Eustis, north of MacDonald Avenue (A) Store and Clifford's Hall, (B) The Clifford House of present day.

The arrival of a railroad into Eustis, which crossed Clifford’s land prior to stopping at the depot two blocks south, meant Guilford Clifford found himself in the right place at the right time. His two-story general merchandise store was built on the northwest corner of Bay & MacDonald. The second level quickly became a popular dance hall as well as civic facility.

“Revered J. H. Potter visited Eustis,” reported the Lake Eustis Region, “and by invitation of a lady member of the Methodist Church of Eustis, preached in Clifford’s Hall on Sabbath morning, March 11, 1883.” The April 18, 1889 newspaper article was reporting on the difficulties of church services “over Clifford’s Store. It was no un-frequent occurrence for the train to be unloading merchandise during service, while the locomotive continued its slow puffing under the window of the Hall.”

Clifford Hall Photo, May 1, 1884, courtesy Florida Memory

 

Within only a few short years, merchant Guilford David Clifford brought culture to the Eustis wilderness. Pioneer and West Crooked Lake homesteader Frank Savage described Fort Mason and Eustis of 1876 in his 1927 memoirs: “I went around the shore of Lake Eustis to Fort Mason,” wrote Savage, “which consisted of half a dozen houses and a store. Eustis at that time had one log cabin just north of the Clifford Home (of today)”. Scarcely populated in the year 1876, by 1887, “George Baker’s latest and best play Nevada”, was being performed in “Clifford’s Handsome Opera House”, a new name for the civic facility atop his store at Bay and MacDonald.

Corner building at right: Clifford’s Store with Opera House on second floor

 

Civil Engineer and Land Agent John A. MacDonald appears to have been the first to see potential in a place first called Pendryville, but Guilford D. Clifford was right behind MacDonald and ready to support development of this new town. 

Twenty months after Attorneys St. Clair-Abrams and Summerlin first purchased land for a town called Tavares on June 2, 1880, a meeting with railroad owners was reported in Savannah Morning News of February 21, 1882: “A meeting was held at Lake Eustis last Saturday to take into consideration the extension of the St. John’s and Lake Eustis Railroad from Fort Mason to the towns of Lake Eustis and Tavares. Parties calling the meeting were Messrs. Alexander St. Clair-Abrams, G. D. Clifford, J. A. MacDonald and A. D. Key.”

 

Nearing 67 years of age in 1910, Guilford D. Clifford finally was able to construct his dream home overlooking Lake Eustis. The Clifford family moved into their impressive home the following year.

Guilford died after a lengthy illness at age 76 in 1919. The local newspaper announced that Eustis had lost a prominent citizen, “a man of quiet unassuming disposition, and a loyal friend. Many noble acts of charity and friendship, unknown, save only to his closest friends, are credited to him and in the way of substantial help he has aided many a weary plodder along life’s way.”

Guilford’s wife of 47 years, Unity Bell (Walker) Clifford, survived her husband, passing in 1922 at the age of 71. As for the Clifford House, a daughter Lottie lived to be 102 years young, keeping the historic residence in the family into the 1970s. The Clifford House is the Eustis Historical Museum today, home to the one organization fully capable of preserving both the history of this charming town as well as this exceptional lakeside residence.

 

I INVITE YOU TO CHECK OUT MY LAKE COUNTY BOOK

A portion of the history included above - that portion prior to the 20th century - was borrowed from my book, Tavares: Darling of Orange County, Birthplace of Lake County. 

 5 Stars: "A well-written book, heavily based on government records of land transactions. Very interesting and informative. Highly recommended for the locals and those with a family history in Lake County."

5 Stars: "Excellent book! Thank you so much for sharing your passion for local history and your exhaustive research on Lake County."

 5 Stars: "Great book. Lots of research went into it. Highly recommended."

TAVARES: Darling of Orange County, Birthplace of Lake County

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