PRITCHARD HOUSE
Posted by: overrover
N 28° 36.637 W 080° 48.459
17R E 518804 N 3164861
Confederate army captain James Pritchard built this two-story home in 1891 for his wife, Mary. The house is considered to be Titusville's finest example of Queen Anne style architecture.
Waymark Code: WMGNR
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 07/07/2006
Views: 35
Captain James Pritchard bought a lot from Mary Titus, and in the spring of 1891 contracted Pleasant J. Hall, who had built St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, to build a Queen Anne style house of heart pine. It appears today much like it did then. On the first floor is a main entrance hall, a stairway to the second floor, parlor and dining room. The kitchen was separated from the main living area by an open passage, now closed in with a side door. A narrow stairway ascends from the kitchen to the maid's room above. The second floor has four bedrooms with built-in closets. Only the master bedroom had access to the balcony. The passage between the main house and maid's room at the end of the hall later became a bathroom. A pipe connected to a hand pump located next to the tub carried water from the cistern below. The four fireplaces have original tiled hearths. The entrance hall light fixture is original. In 1888, Pritchard organized Titusville's first bank, built the first generating plant in 1890 - later sold to Florida Power and Light Co., and owned James Pritchard and Son Hardware Store. Pritchard family members had continuously lived in the house, until it was purchased by Brevard County in May 2005.
The hurricanes of 2004 and 2005 have taken their toll on the Pritchard House and it is in the process of being restored. As you can see in the photo I've added to the page, the balcony is being supported by 4x4's to help until restoration can be completed.
The North Brevard Heritage Foundation conducted Archeological dig on the Pritchard House property to determine the exact location and number of the many outbuildings that existed on the grounds of the house. Stabilization of the house should start in the summer - but some hiccups in paperwork might delay it. (What else? It's the State and the County!)
Street address: 424 South Washington Avenue Titusville, FL United States 32780
County / Borough / Parish: Brevard
Year listed: 1990
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Built by one of the early Titusville settlers, finest example of Queen Anne architecture in town
Periods of significance: 1875-1899
Historic function: Domestic - owner opened Titusville's 1st bank, 1st hardware store, and 1st generator plant
Current function: It is being restored and will soon be open to the public for tours.
Privately owned?: no
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 1: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.