Welcome to The Oaks of Eustis. The Oaks is the original name given to this Southern Colonial Revival home by its builder and owner, Colonel Gould H. Norton, (retired Grand Army of the Republic, a society founded in 1866, of Civil War veterans who served in the Union Forces). He obtained the land by a Federal Land Grant in 1880 and built this beautiful home; one of the best examples of this style architecture in this area. It retains its original wood floors, windows and screens. The Oaks was registered in the National Registry of Historical Places in 1997. This residence continues to contribute to the City of Eustis history and development.
The property under the guidance of Col. Norton extended 50 acres. A large portion of his property was utilized as a nursery known as “Interlachen Nurseries”. Peaches, grapes, dates, citrus, persimmons and other ornamental plants offered an outstanding showplace widely known in Central Florida.
Col. Norton and his wife, raised four sons and one daughter. Three of his sons served under Teddy Roosevelt as members
of the Rough Riders.
For a period of time the house had been known as the old Barnett or old Loy house. A refuge during major storms, the exterior, framework, the foundation and structural woodwork has remained solid. In 1990 the house was definitely showing its age – especially inside. All three floors were completely renovated, changing and updating the wiring and adding central air while maintaining the historical integrity. In the kitchen are the original cabinets. When entering the foyer, one of the most visible aspects is the original chandeliers in the entry and rear hall.
The present size of The Oaks property is 1.5 acres. Located on the property as well as the main residence is a four room cottage once occupied by the mother of Lucie Ford Knox, whose family owned Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. where President Lincoln was assassinated. The last addition made to this fabulous house is the grand porch on the front of the house. The porch floor, the stately columns, its lighting, the white overhead fans, all take one back to a time in history to be envied. Two fireplaces in the main house and one in the cottage only add to the warmth and serenity of this wonderful property.
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