House of the Seven Gables, Octagonal house in Mayo, Florida.
House of the Seven Gables was an octagonal residence in Mayo featuring seven gabled sections with one side extending into a rear wing. The structure combined octagonal architecture with traditional residential spaces, containing three bedrooms and a parlor in the main octagonal section while cooking and dining areas occupied the connected wing.
The building was constructed during the 1880s by Mack Koon following James Mitchell's design and stood at the intersection of Clark and Bloxham streets. The structure survived until severe storm damage led to its demolition in 2021.
The house took its name from Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, bringing literary inspiration into a small Florida community's architectural identity. The octagonal design combined with gabled sections represented a creative expression of classical themes in a local building tradition.
The property was centrally located in Mayo and easily accessible from main streets, making it a straightforward point of interest for architecture enthusiasts. The exterior could be viewed from public areas without special arrangements or timing constraints.
The building appeared in a 1989 historical architecture guide before fading from wider public attention. Few visitors outside local history circles knew about this structure despite its connection to a famous literary work.
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