Withers-Maguire House
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Built in 1888, the Withers-Maguire House is the oldest of three buildings in Ocoee constructed in the 19th century. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, the house is owned and operated by the city and is available to rent for small gatherings and events. It is named after two of its owners, William Withers (1825-1889) and David Maguire (1850-1913). Both were important figures in Ocoee. Withers was a successful citrus farmer and Maguire worked as a teacher and principal in Georgia before moving with his wife to Ocoee, where he became a farmer as well, growing vegetables and fruit. The city bought the house in 1987 and restored it using grants from the state. The house was designed in the Stick/Eastlake style and is a good example of this type of architecture.
Images
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Maguire bought the house in 1910 and it remained his the family until 1979, when his only daughter died. He was a successful farmer and also became active local politics. He helped organize a local people's party and was a democrat. His fourth son became mayor in 1923.
Sources
"Withers-Maguire House." Lakeshore Center Ocoee. Accessed April 11, 2017. https://www.ocoeelakeshorecenter.com/161/Withers---Maguire-House.
Photo: Ebyabe, via Wikimedia Commons