Grace Phillips Johnson House
"O-Po-Le-O"
"House Between the Waters"
1005 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, Florida
Architect: David B. Hyer (born 1875)
Read more about David B. Hyer here:
Hyer's finest and most visible Orlando work is the Grace Phillips Johnson Estate situated on Edgewater Drive between Orlando and College Park. This grand Mediterranean Revival home is on a narrow isthmus of land, separating Lake Concord to the east and Lake Adair to the west. The lake side of the estate offers sweeping views across Lake Concord to downtown Orlando. Orlandians are quite familiar with the lake side of the house, as it can be seen and admired from a distance, from I-4. Usually, there are several swan boats docked in front of the house.
This house has an Eclectic Mediterranean style with stucco construction, barrel tile roofs, curved parapets, a tower, inset sculptural niches, and decorative details typical of French and Spanish Baroque construction of the 17th and 18th Centuries. This was a favored style for all of the 1920s Orlando Group of architects, who strove to design buildings in keeping with the Florida environment. There is a freestanding two story garage and apartment on the property, designed in this same style. The house interior at one time boasted three murals by Florida artist and designer of whimsical storybook style homes, Sam Stoltz. Only one remains, a peacock.
American businesswoman and philanthropist Clarinda Grace Phillips Johnson was born June 23, 1877, in New Castle, PA, one of three children of petroleum magnate Thomas W. (“T. W.”) Phillips, Sr., and his second wife Pamphelia Hardman. Grace’s two brothers were: T. W. Phillips, Jr., (1874–1956), and Benjamin Dwight (“B. D.”) Phillips (1885–1968).
T W. Phillips, Sr., was the largest independent petroleum producer in the United States. In 1887 he was made president of the Producers' Protective Association, a secret organization of some, two thousand oil men in thirty six local assemblies organized primarily to combat the Standard Oil combination of John D. Rockefeller. Presidents R B Hayes and J A Garfield were among their family friends.
Phillips married, in 1862, Clarinda, daughter of David and Nancy Rebecca (Arter) Hardman. She died in 1866, and in 1870 he married her younger sister, Pamphila, who survived, him. To the first marriage two sons were born, and to the, second, three sons and a daughter.
The Phillips were active in and leading supporters of the Church of Christ (Disciples) founded by Alexander Campbell. Phillips authored a number of works, including important anti-trust legislation. However, his most influential book was The Church of Christ. Originally published anonymously, early editions identified the author simply as “A Layman.”
Grace was a proficient horsewoman, a keen billiard player and she loved golf. Her family encouraged her talent for business, which began a lifelong involvement in commercial and financial ventures. Her hometown of New Castle, PA, depended on her for financial support and leadership. She supported the YWCA, YMCA and youth camps and many other Christian causes. During W W II she was active in the "Bundles for Britain" campaign, using her indoor swimming pool as a place to gather donations till there was enough to ship.
In 1903, Grace Phillips married Charles Harmany Johnson (July 9, 1870 - Dec. 10, 1918) who was the owner of a limestone quarry, a banker and owner of Johnson Bronze. As a wedding present Charles presented Grace with a limestone Arts and Craft style mansion on Moody Avenue in New Castle, known as the “Grace Phillips Johnson House” (1912). They were the parents of five children: Charles H Johnson Jr, Phillips Johnson, Winifred Johnson (Clive). George W. Johnson and Thomas Phillips Johnson. Charles H. Johnson died on Dec. 10, 1918, at his home in New Castle, Pa., after an illness of more than four weeks brought about by a complete nervous collapse. The children were quite young; Mrs. Johnson raised them as a single parent with a loving and firmly guiding hand.
Grace Phillips Johnson raised her family living in the mansion on Moody Avenue in New Castle, PA. In 1928, she also built and thereafter maintained a second residence on one of Orlando Florida’s finest sites, a narrow isthmus of land at 1005 Edgewater Drive, situated between Lake Concord and Lake Adair. It continues to be one of the most beautiful estates in Central Florida.
Mrs. Johnson was a noted philanthropist. Central Christian Church and Washington Shores Christian Church owe their buildings to her benevolences. She also paid for the land for the Winter Park Christian Church and the Maitland Christian Church. She was a lead donor in creating the National City Christian Church in Washington DC. An art museum in Enid, Oklahoma, is named in her honor. Bethany College has three buildings that bear Phillips family names; Phillips University is also among the Phillips family’s charitable interest. Grace Phillips Johnson’s family continues to be active in civic and charitable work in Central Florida.
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