One of the great things about Florida is there is always a new place to explore, one you never knew existed. A recent trip to Port Orange led to the discovery of yet another hidden treasure. Not only does it offer a step back in time, but also a little bit of whimsy and a window into a backwoods retreat.
Egwanulti
Egwanulti is the name given to the Gamble Place by James N. Gamble, the son of the co-founder of the Procter and Gamble Company. Egwanulti is a Native American word meaning “by the water” which is fitting because of its location along Spruce Creek. Gamble bought the land in 1898, but it wasn’t until 1907 that he built the cracker-style house that still stands on the property today. The house features a separate kitchen and dining room, connected by a breezeway or dog-trot, and an open front porch. The back porch, with its chairs and benches, opens to the back yard with the creek just steps away. Sitting on the porch, you can just imagine the stories shared by those who once called this place home during the winter months.
Gamble Place
An inviting back porch
Besides the house, Gamble also rebuilt a packing house on the property to process the citrus from his own grove.
Citrus Packing House
The Gamble Place sits on 175 acres and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.
Snow White Cottage
“Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho
It’s home from work we go…”
If those song lyrics conjure up a memory, then this Florida stop is a must-see. Nestled along the banks of Spruce Creek on the eastern portion of the Gamble property, sits a replica of the Snow White Cottage. You know the one she stayed in with the dwarfs? The cottage started out as plans for a playhouse, but by the time it was finished, it had expanded into a full-size replica and served as a retreat for guests of all ages. Judge Alfred K. Nippert, Gamble’s son-in-law, got the idea for the cottage after the Disney movie’s release in 1937, just three months after the death of his wife.
Snow White Cottage
Along with the cottage, there are two other structures. The Diamond Mine is built in the same style as the cottage and is two stories. The ground floor once had a tank used to store water. On the second floor, a child’s dream – a playhouse.
“The Diamond Mine”
What would the cottage be without the Wicked Witch lurking nearby? An old hollow cypress tree was moved to the property, placed on a stone foundation and roofed. If you look closely, you’ll see a familiar face peering out of the window.
Wicked Witch’s Hut
Cracker Creek
Before you can get onto the Gamble property, you have to stop at the Cracker Creek office to pay a minimal admission fee. While you’re there though, ask about canoe and kayak rentals, or the hydro-bike rentals. For a more leisurely trip down Spruce Creek, they also offer pontoon boat tours Friday through Sunday.
Cracker Creek Office
Rent a canoe or bring your own
Take a leisurely cruise
No matter if you’re at the Gamble Place or walking around the grounds at Cracker Creek, magnificent peacocks can be seen roaming the property. These close encounters bring to full light the iridescent blues and greens in their feathers.
Beautiful peacocks roam the property
Cracker Creek and the Gamble Place are located in Port Orange off Taylor Road. You cannot get inside the actual buildings through the self-tour. The building tour is available for groups of ten or more but reservations must be made in advance.
Wow… love this place! And, you’re right, I never knew it existed. I’m constantly searching for Florida old-world gems on the National Register of Historic Places. In fact, I try to draw attention to them on my own website, so history buffs can easily locate them. I will be linking to this article, if you don’t mind. How incredible is that replica of Snow White’s Cottage? Awesome, with a capital “A!” And, that peacock… oh my goodness. One of the most beautiful that I’ve seen! Love how they get to freely roam the property with no sense of “captivity.” The Gamble Place has definitely piqued my interest, and I will be visiting next time I’m near Port Orange.
Please feel free to link it and thank you for your comment! I never realized so many interesting places existed in Florida!
My grandfather, Jesse Wilburn Sutton, and then later my uncle, Allen Sutton, were the last caretakers of the property for the Nippert family during the 50’s thru the 70’s. I grew up there and played in the Snow White house, a magically beautiful building.
I can remember my grandfather telling me many tall tales while sitting on the back porch overlooking Spruce Creek, (the bank used to be kept cleared so you could see all the way to the creek from the porch). One being of the two frogs pushing a motorcycle and carrying a gas can across the power line that went to the well house!
All the property, from the Snow White House to past the packing house used to be an orange and grapefruit grove. I don’t know why the fruit trees were removed, it completely changed the appearance of the property.
I live out of state but have been back on occasion, and have taken my children to enjoy the property, and now they are taking my grandchildren.
I’m glad the property is still accessible to the public. It is a unique opportunity to take a look back at a simpler, richer time.
What wonderful memories! Thank you for sharing! Love the tale about the frogs! I imagine as a child the Snow White House would have been a dream to play in! Thanks again for sharing!