While we were enjoying our picnic lunch at Camp Helen State Park, a friendly park ranger stopped by for a chat. “Have you been to Eden Gardens State Park?” he asked. “It’s just up the road and well worth the trip. It’s the most photographed park in Florida.”
Intrigued, we decided to stop by. The clouds were almost gone, but we wanted to wait a little longer before going to the beach so the temperature could get back up to 85.
Eden Gardens was definitely worth the visit. It was gorgeous, quiet, and serene. The property features a historic home, built in the 1890s by William Henry Wesley. The Wesley family operated a saw mill and lumber company on the property until after World War I. They used Tucker Bayou, an offshoot of Choctawhatchee Bay (say that five times fast), to ship their goods.
The house was restored and gardens designed by Lois Maxon, who purchased the estate in 1963. She generously donated it to the state of Florida just a few years later.
Fun fact: The 1972 horror film “Frogs” was filmed at the estate and starred Ray Milland, Joan Van Ark, and Sam Elliot. At the time of the filming, there was concern among local residents that the exotic reptiles from South America that were used in the movie would make Eden Gardens their permanent home.