Mary Phifer McKenzie House, Historical residence in Gainesville, Florida.

The Mary Phifer McKenzie House is a three-story Queen Anne residence with octagonal turrets, a wraparound porch, and fine wooden and stone details typical of late Victorian design. The carefully restored building today contains five guest rooms spread throughout the historic structure and operates as a bed and breakfast.

The house was built around 1895 in Queen Anne style. Perry Colson bought it in 1903 and sold it to William Turner Pound, first husband of Mary Phifer; she later married Reid Hill McKenzie in the 1920s and lived there until she was 83. The Holbrook family bought the neglected property in 1978 and restored it, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

This house shows how wealthy residents of the late 1800s built their homes with elaborate details and curved shapes that displayed their status in the community. The way the space flows with multiple rooms and decorative elements reflects how families entertained guests and organized their daily lives during that era.

The house is accessible as a guest accommodation with furnished rooms, though it operates as a private bed and breakfast. Visitors should contact ahead or check online to confirm availability and visiting arrangements, since access depends on guest reservations.

Perry Colson bought the house in 1903 and sold it to William Turner Pound, the first husband of Mary Phifer; she later married Reid Hill McKenzie in the 1920s and stayed in the house until she was 83. The Holbrook family, the current owners, bought the neglected property in 1978 and began restoring it.