Eden Gardens State Park and Wesley House Vintage Photos, 2003-2005

Many people have enjoyed my blog "Moon-dreaming" about Bob Swinford's story of his first South Walton date with Mickey Wesley in 1938. Here's some of my pictures from 2003, 2004 and 2005 of the Wesley House and Eden Gardens State Park in Pt. Washington, Florida. The Wesley House has changed somewhat since Bob and Mickey spent the last part of their honeymoon on its enchanting grounds . However, Eden Gardens Florida State Park and the Wesley House personify the beauty and historical significance of South Walton and Walton County. The Wesley's also have significant historical ties to the beaches in South Walton. I remember my dad, with family in Alaqua and DeFuniak, telling me how he spent many nights as a boy at the Wesley House and Eastern Lake area beaches.

The pictures include a Christmas portrait of the Wesley House in 2003, the Christmas Open House 2004, the Friends of Eden reception for the new pavilion in 2004, and the Friends of Eden reception for the Walton County Chamber of Commerce in 2005. Read more about the Wesley House and South Walton in my other blogs. All pictures (c) by Brenda Rees











































Wesley House photograph displayed in the home of Dr. Bob Swinford, now of Gainesville, Florida. He is a University of Florida Professor Emeritus of Forestry. Bob's wife died about three years ago. She was Mickey Wesley Swinford, the ninth and youngest child of William and Katie Wesley, builders of The Wesley House. Mickey homesteaded on Eastern Lake and built one of the earlier beach houses in that location of South Walton. The Wesley House, at what is now known as Eden Gardens State Park, Pt. Washington, Florida, was changed by its new owner Lois Maxon after she purchased the house in 1953. She later donated the house and property to the State of Florida.