Photo Gallery

The Dezell House was built in 1912 by James A. and Margaret Leila Maggie Shepard Dezell. This house, with its Prairie Style architecture and Arts and Crafts features, was their family home for 46 years. James A. Dezell (1867-1937) was born in Chicago, moving from southwestern Missouri to Gadsden County in 1886. James and Maggie, a Gadsden County native, married on September 13, 1893. Between 1894 and 1903 they had three sons and two daughters. James and his father, Samuel A. Dezell, were builders. They constructed the Samuel Dezell family house in Mt. Pleasant in 1886. James A. Dezell was the first mayor of the Town of Greensboro, serving several terms following the first organizational meeting on August 13, 1908.

The Dezell House design is a blend of the Arts and Crafts style and the Prairie style of architecture. The Prairie style is easily recognized in the low, spreading roofline, the exterior horizontal bandings and the ground hugging appearance of the structure.  The most distinctive aspects of this house's construction are its closeness to the ground rather than sitting on piers, fine craftsmanship, and windows set in dormers that crown the roofline on each main roof slope and provide light for a skylight in the entry hall. Dezell was evidently very confident in the materials and techniques he chose for the house. The house was constructed from cypress and heart pine and the interior woodwork is original to the structure. 

In 2004, West Gadsden Historical Society purchased the home to restore it to it former beauty. Hours of hard work by our volunteers and through grants provided by the State of Florida Department of Historic Preservation has resulted in the creation of The Dezell House Museum. Each room of the home is staged with antiques and exhibits to allow patrons to step back in time and view Gadsden County's rich heritage and history. 

The Dezell House may be rented for your Wedding, Family Reunion or any Special Event. In addition to various sitting areas, including a wide southern screened front porch, the home's gorgeous windows and fireplaces offer ideal photo opportunities. The Dezell House contains a large, tastefully furnished dining room and a full kitchen for your use. Our large side lawn will additionally accommodate any size tent needed for your event.