Gingerbread House under the Oak Trees
Baker House in Sumter County, Florida
Oh my! Isn’t this one of the prettiest houses you’ve seen? It’s the Baker House in Sumter County, Florida. In 1890 Senator David H. Baker built his house in a community named Orange Home. Later, the Kentucky Senator served in the Florida legislature. After Baker and one of his sons died, his widow sold the home and returned to Kentucky but the family was able to regain ownership of the property again when it went into foreclosure. At one time the Baker family owned 1,200 acres here consisting of mostly orange groves. After the freeze of 1894 and 1895 the the Citrus Industry was a bust so the land was used for cattle.
In 2012 the remaining grandchildren gave the city of Wildwood the home and 5 acres to preserve the history of the Baker Family and let others enjoy this magnificent homestead. It’s decorated so lovely at Christmas and I’ve heard of Christmas Teas and Mystery Shows being held in the house.
The main house has two stories and porches on both floors. There’s also a separate two story kitchen house in the back. Separate kitchens are common in the South and not in the North. The reason is mostly due to the hot temperatures in the Southern states. Six generations of Bakers have lived in this house proving that good craftsmanship was something revered in those days. The Baker house was built after the Civil War and is a wonderful piece of history we get to enjoy today.
THE BAKER HOUSE CHRISTMAS TOURS
Every year the Baker House is decorated for Christmas and they also do Christmas Tours! Here’s the information I have for them…Parks and Recreation Office, 6500 Powell Rd., Wildwood, Florida 34785, Phone: 352-461-0134
After reading all about the baker house, I almost feel as though I went on the tour, however, I would really like to see the inside and hear more about it. As far as the outside; it’s gorgeous. It would be fun to go near Christmas when it’s all decorated. You did a great job photographing all the decorations. Thank you.
Wildwood race riot?
Yes, Florida has become so crowded it’s sad.