DEFUNIAK SPRINGS,  FLORIDA

WHERE IS DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, FLORIDA?

DeFuniak Springs Florida, is a small town of about 6,283 people in the northwest part of the state. 

It is located at the intersection of US-331 and US-90 just north of I-10, about 60 miles east of Pensacola and is the county seat of Walton County.

Lake DeFuniak

DeFuniak Springs is located on Lake DeFuniak, an almost perfectly circular 40 acre spring fed lake. 

This little village at Lake DeFuniak started life as a small way station on the Pensacola & Atlantic Railroad. 

It was named after Col. Frederick DeFuniak, an executive of the Louisville-Nashville Railroad.

DeFuniak was a hard-working Italian immigrant who had been an officer in the army of Giuseppe Garibaldi, the George Washington of modern Italy.

He also was an officer in the army of the Confederate States of America. He allegedly won the right to name the town in a card game.

Colonel DeFuniak's descendants still live in north Florida and Alabama.

Chautauqua Brotherhood Hall

Members of a Methodist educational movement called the Chautauqua Assembly, headquartered in New York, further developed the small hamlet.

The Chautauqua movement was a late 19th and early 20th-century social and educational movement that brought entertainment, culture, and education to communities across the United States, particularly in rural areas

It soon became their favorite winter retreat, growing in importance and beauty.

Thousands would arrive to participate in the activities and keynote speakers ranged from well-known poets and authors to the inspirational and influential, including Julia Ward Howe ("The Battle Hymn of the Republic") to Harriet Beecher Stowe (Uncle Tom's Cabin).

Seemingly suspended in 19th century amber, the city of DeFuniak Springs is one of the prettiest in the Florida panhandle.  

Numerous Victorian era homes encircle little Lake DeFuniak, and it's at times difficult to tell the old homes from the new ones built in the same Colonial Revival and Queen Anne styles.

The homes and area around the lake are decorated from Thanksgiving to New Year in a celebration called "Christmas Reflections".

There are reportedly over 10 million lights, which reflect off the lake.

Home of Former Governor Sidney J Catts
Photo by Ebyabe

The town has around 200 historic buildings surrounding the lake, 40 or so which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 

With such a small population, DeFuniak Springs might just have the most historic sites per capita of any town in Florida.

St Agatha's Episcopal Church

One of the many interesting old buildings is St. Agatha's Episcopal Church. 

It is a Carpenter Gothic church in the town historic district at 144 Circle Drive.  The church was built in 1896.

It is the only church in DeFuniak Springs with a real pipe organ.  The others have electronic organs.

Because of the old homes and Walton County's oaks and hilly terrain, DeFuniak Springs sometimes feels more like rural New England than rural Florida.

Circle Drive around the lake, DeFuniak Springs

July 19, 2025

John "Sam" Matthews is one of our readers who lives in the Florida Panhandle and travels extensively.  This is his update to our original article about DeFuniak Springs.

Sunbright Inn

Sunbright Inn.  You have the original building pic in your article. This is the old Governor Sydney Catts mansion.  It was bought and stripped to the frame and rebuilt.  Took 28 months to complete.

Both inside and out are jaw-dropping.  The furniture is restored original late 19th/early 20th century around Gov Catts’ time. The Inn is a boutique hotel not a B&B.  There is no kitchen. 

Guests must dine downtown, where there are plenty of good restaurants. Patrons can request catering to the Inn, in which case the owner can reset downstairs to accommodate caterers and diners. 

Walton County Courthouse Flags

The Walton County Courthouse flies two flags: American and Confederate.  The US Stars and Stripes is in front. 

On the western end of the courthouse grounds is an obelisk mounted with a hand pointing to heaven. Inscribed on the obelisk are the names of 100 Walton County men killed in the Civil War.

Next to it is a flagpole not flying the more recognizable Confederate battle flag with its red background and crossed blue bars with white stars, but a flag with three alternating red and white stripes and a blue field in the corner with seven white stars that was the official flag of the Confederate States of America.

DeFuniak Springs Downtown

Downtown DeFuniak Springs over the last two years has developed from a few scattered stores into 3 blocks filled on all sides with occupied businesses, shops and restaurants, centered on Baldwin Avenue.

DeFuniak Farmers Market Poster

The Farmers’ Market on Saturdays is a lively one, in a region with lots of home-grown fruits and vegetables and crafts.

DeFuniak Sheriff Office

Sheriff’s Office located on South 10th street in a restored frontier building reminiscent of Matt Dillon’s in Dodge City on Gunsmoke.

DeFuniak Tesla Charging Stations

Across the street from the Sheriff’s office are 5 Tesla charging stations for electric vehicles.  Don’t ask me why: I have never seen an EV in DeFuniak, let alone one charging itself.

Athenaeum Hotel Chautauqua New York

Between 1885 and 1922, wealthy residents from the Chautauqua Lake region of New York made Defuniak Springs the location for their winter series of Chautauqa.

As soon as schools began in New York for the new academic year, the wealthy boarded trains and came to Defuniak by the thousands.

They built the elegant Victorian homes around Lake DeFuniak or stayed in hotels and rentals living the high life: swimming, boat rides, walks, picnics, music, theater. 

To assure continuity of education for children who came down during their school year, the Brotherhood Hall was built with classrooms for elementary, high school, and even college students.  The Hall also had a 2000-seat opera house/theater.

After charging the EV, take Highway 331 north for 25 miles to visit the highest point in Florida—Britton Hill at 345 feet. It’s literally a stone’s throw from the Alabama line. 

If you are in the town of Florala, you are in Alabama. Turn around and go back. Look for a low stone monument in Lakewood Park on the uphill slope of a large meadow and be observant when looking for it or else you will miss it.

Miscellaneous Facts About DeFuniak Springs

o   Defuniak has 172 historical buildings.

o   Bogey’s restaurant sold. In its place is Iron and Grape, an Italian restaurant, which along with Sweet Southern Comfort and Perla Bakery constitute the trifecta of restaurants on Baldwin Avenue—all good.

THINGS TO DO IN DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, FLORIDA

• Walton-DeFuniak Library
  3 Circle Dr, Defuniak Springs, FL 32435 | (850) 892-3624
  
  The oldest library in the state of Florida still in use today, in operation since 1887. Some interesting exhibits inside, including an impressive collection of medieval armor from the Crusades and muskets from the American colonial era. There's also a charming little reading garden outside with a view of the water.
  
  
• Lake DeFuniak
  Circle Drive, Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
  
  According to legend it was created by a meteor, but it's most likely a sinkhole lake. Spring-fed and almost perfectly round, though perhaps not as perfectly round as Lake Kingsley 250 miles to the east in Clay County. There are scenic walking paths and paddleboard rentals available. Chipley Park has picnic tables and swings, and allows dogs. 
  
  
• L&N Train Depot
  North side of Chipley Park, Circle Drive, Defuniak Springs
  
  Built in 1882 and once serving thousands a day, it now houses the Walton County Heritage Museum.
  
  
• You can also take a walking tour which covers the history of the town, how the Chautauqua Assembly along with easy access to the railroad helped the town grow quickly, and see many of the key landmarks. The whole downtown area has been revitalized in recent years with small shops and local restaurants, and is continuing to grow.
  
  
• Chautauqua Vineyards and Winery
  364 Hugh Adams Rd, Defuniak Springs, FL | (850) 892-5887
  
  A good place to visit and sample award-winning wines amidst picturesque vineyards and rolling hills. This family-owned winery offers guided tours and tastings, allowing visitors to learn about the winemaking process while savoring the flavors of locally crafted wines.
  
  From crisp whites to robust reds, there's something for every palate to enjoy. Raise a glass to the good life and toast to unforgettable memories at Chautauqua Vineyards and Winery. 
  
  
• In addition to the Christmas celebration, the other large festival held in DeFuniak Springs is the annual Lakefest, held the 3rd week in May. This family-friendly celebration is held to gather and enjoy the lake.
  
  Kayaking, Fun competitions, much food, live entertainment, and primitive (tent) camping are among the options during this week.
  
  
• History buffs visiting DeFuniak Springs and nearby cities might also enjoy a visit to Eglin Air Force Base, about 45 minutes south. The Air Force Armament Museum is here, with a large repository of historic planes. The museum is free and open to the public.
  
  
• Ponce de Leon Springs State Park about 12 miles away is located at 2860 Ponce de Leon Springs Rd, Ponce de Leon, FL 32455.  The park is just off I-10, a half-mile south of U.S. 90 on County Road 181A, and is a Florida Heritage Site.
  

Mansion in Historic Defuniak Springs