Sneads Community House and Old Pump - Sneads, Florida - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

The Sneads Community House and Old Pump are two historic resources located in downtown Sneads, Florida and listed as a National Register of Historic Places on July 31, 2017, # 100001390.

Constructed by the Works Progress Administration in 1936, the Community House has served a variety of functions. It originally served as the clubhouse of the Sneads Woman’s Civic Club and hosted a variety of other groups, including the Boy Scouts. During World War II, civil defense classes were conducted in the building. For much of its history, the building was used by the town of Sneads for municipal offices, with the City Clerk’s office housed in the building’s eastern portion. City elections were held in the building as well. The Community House is a locally significant example of New Deal Era Rustic Architecture.     

The building’s incorporation of chinked logs, natural stone, articulated foundations and interior woodwork are all hallmarks of the Rustic style.

Adjacent to the building is a cast iron water well hand pump. The pump, which dates from 1899, is a significant part of local lore. A historic marker adjacent to the pump reads the following:

"He who drinks from this pump will always return" was the belief of the pioneer families of Sneads. This pump was built for the town of Sneads by Gabriel Smith in 1899 or 1900 and it is believed to be the second mechanical pump in the area. 1.5/72 acres of land was deeded to the city of Sneads, in the county of Jackson, on 18 February, 1899 for the sum of $200.00 by F.A. and Mittie Brown.

The village was first called Gloucester and the Sneads post office had its beginning in Miss Harriett Pope's parlor-hallway. Mail was brought in from Chattahoochee on horseback.
The town of Sneads was incorporated 26 October 1894, with 37 citizens. 30 voted for and 7 against incorporation. Adam White laid out the plot of the town. The site was chosen near the river, then the primary means of transportation. Gabriel Smith became the first mayor in 1893 and Lewis Taylor was the first postmaster. Smith and Taylor are credited with the development of the town. Its present name honored Dr. W.R. Snead, the first dentist to settle in the area.

The pump was restored in the summer of 1974 by the Carlisle Rose Garden Club and the town council. A covered structure was built over the pump to preserve it.

Street address: 8025 Old Spanish Trail Sneads, FL USA 32460 County / Borough / Parish: Jackson County Year listed: 2017 Historic (Areas of) Significance: New Deal Era, WPA rustic architecture construction Periods of significance: 1936 to present Historic function: Women's Civic Club clubhouse, public health center, courtroom, community center Current function: Community center Privately owned?: no Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Secondary Website 2: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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