The Samuel Baker House
Elfers, Florida

Constructed in 1882, this residence has been restored to its original appearance to be used as an interpretative center pioneer life in Pasco County

This structure has construction techniques that make it a unique building. The original owner was a "sponger" from Key West and the Bahamas and appears to have used a ship wright or someone unfamiliar with normal construction techniques to construct the house. The walls have no studs or interior finish. The walls are constructed of boards 3/4 inches thick and varying in width from 4 inches to 11 inches. The butt joints of the vertical boards are covered with a moulded batten on both sides. The end wall boards are "book matched" starting at the center. The second floor joists rest on a 2 x 4 laid horizontally and nailed to the board walls. The roof rafters rest on 2 x 4 plates similarly installed at the top of 4 foot high knee walls. The corners of the plates are half lapped and pegged with hand carved pegs. The house rests on cedar log sections as foundations and is topped by sawn cedar shingles on original oak lathing.

After demolition of non original additions the original configuration of rooms and porches was discernable from mail hole patterns, stains on woodwork and other visible evidence. Especially helpful in the restoration were the personal recollections of individuals who lived in the house or who visited the house numerous times as a child in the early 1900's. Only very deteriorated wood was replaced, hardware was reproduced by a Pennsylvania Blacksmith and only one concealed electrical receptacle was installed for housekeeping purposes.

The house is now open on a weekly basis and is a favorite field trip site for the Pasco County School District.

Awards:

Florida Preservation Award 1993, from The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation

Award for Excellence in Architecture 1993, from the Florida Assoc. of the American Institute of Architects.