Bronson-Mulholland House, Circa 1854

A collection of smaller mural panels.
This is panel #3

Artist: Julia McCoy

Location: City Hall, Reid St. at Second St.

Size: Approx. 5' x 8'

Sponsors: Walt's Barbeque, E. W. (Walt) and Pauline Pellicer

 

This imposing home overlooking the St. Johns River was built by Judge Isaac Bronson. This was a fitting home for Bronson, who as a U.S. Congressman, proposed the act by which Florida became a state. This exemplary citizen also prepared and sponsored the charter for the City of Palatka, and donated the land where the courthouse still stands to Putnam County.

During the Civil War, Confederate soldiers used the attic for a lookout when Union troops were approaching on the river. Later, Union troops occupied the building as a field hospital. It was also used as a school for freed slave children after the War. Much later, the American Red Cross headquartered there during World Wars I and II.

Miss Mary Mulholland, a nurse, was owner of the home from 1904-1935. maintenance on the large estate required her to sell lots from the original "Sunny Point" tract, thus creating the Mulholland Park subdivision.

The home now belongs to the City of Palatka, and is managed by the Putnam County Historical Society as a house museum.

Beautiful native Southern magnolia blossoms grace the foreground of this mural.

(Side Note from Webmaster: The Bronson-Mulholland House is one of our local landmarks. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as are our two historic residential neighborhood districts. Tours of this home are conducted on a regular basis. For more information, please call the docents at (386) 329-0140.