802 S Ingraham Avenue - Built 1923
Uncovering Lakeland's Hidden Histories: The Pioneering Spirit of S. Ingraham Avenue!
Did you know some of Lakeland's most iconic homes hold fascinating stories within their walls? We love digging into the past, and today we're thrilled to share the intertwined histories of several century-old homes on South Ingraham Avenue – specifically 802, 810, 816, and 822 S. Ingraham. While 810 S. Ingraham has already received its 100-year marker, the stories of 802 and 816 are just as rich, and their origins are deeply connected! Sadly, 822 S. Ingraham was later replaced by a mid-century duplex and no longer qualifies for a marker.
What links these addresses is a compelling tale of entrepreneurship, mentorship, and the very rapid development of Lakeland's historic College Park Addition and surrounding areas.
From Apprentices to Entrepreneurs: The Story of Calvin & Overstreet
The narrative behind these homes is centered on two remarkable individuals: Gertrude Overstreet and Paul Calvin. Their partnership in the Calvin & Overstreet company was instrumental in platting and developing the Calvin & Overstreet College Park Addition, which encompasses all the homes on the north side of Lexington Avenue, including 816 and 822 S. Ingraham Avenue. Their plat was officially filed in September 1923, a significant moment that set the stage for these homes to rise. Even homes like 802 S. Ingraham, though part of a different subdivision (Avon Court, platted in January 1924), show connections to Calvin & Overstreet, as a salesman for their company, a Mr. Raines, resided there.
Before forming their influential partnership, both Gertrude and Paul honed their skills under the tutelage of prominent Lakeland businessmen – true pioneers who shaped much of the city's early landscape.
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Gertrude Overstreet's Path: Born in October 1890 to H. H. Overstreet and Miriam Lowe, Gertrude hailed from a large family in Georgia. By 1915, at about 24 years old, she had relocated to Lakeland, Florida, and began her career working directly for John A. Melton, a prominent figure in Lakeland's real estate and banking sectors. Her roles evolved within Melton's various enterprises, including Melton-Lawson Co. and J.A. Melton & Co., from 1917 to 1920. By 1922, Gertrude was already operating independently as a "Real Estate" professional, showcasing her growing expertise and ambition. Records show that her widowed mother, Miriam. (a remarkable woman who had raised nine children!), and her youngest sister Mattie were living with Gertrude for multiple years.
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Paul Calvin's Diverse Experience: Paul Calvin's journey also reflects early mentorship. He started as a clerk at First State Bank in 1915, gaining foundational financial knowledge. Crucially, by 1917, he transitioned into real estate, working with Clayton & Co. This direct connection to Clanton Clayton, another city pioneer successful in both banking and real estate (and a past business partner of John Melton), provided Paul with invaluable experience. By 1920, like Gertrude, Paul was listed as an independent "Real Estate" professional.
It's clear that both John Melton and Clanton Clayton, successful businessmen who rose from entry-level bank positions to leadership in real estate, served as vital mentors. Gertrude and Paul, working for these "smart folks" and learning their craft for several years, gained the necessary skills and vision to strike out on their own. The formation of Calvin & Overstreet was a natural derivative of their combined experience and readiness to shape Lakeland's future.
Homes on the Rise: S. Ingraham Avenue Comes to Life
With the Calvin & Overstreet College Park Addition plat filed in September 1923 (surveyed, like many others during this booming period, by the active civil engineers G.D. & H.D. Mendenhall), development was swift. The data confirms that 802, 810, 816, and 822 S. Ingraham Avenue all appeared for the very first time in the 1924 city directory. This rapid appearance strongly indicates they were new constructions built in late 1923 or very early 1924 – a testament to the speed of development during Lakeland's boom era.
Interestingly, Gertrude Overstreet herself made 816 S. Ingraham Avenue her home initially, a clear personal investment in the very neighborhood she helped create. Later, she moved next door to 810 S. Ingraham Avenue, further solidifying her personal connection to these historic properties. A snippet from the 1929 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map provides a glimpse into how these homes originally looked.
The story of these Ingraham Avenue homes is more than just about individual houses; it's about the vision and hard work of pioneers like Gertrude Overstreet and Paul Calvin, who, guided by the experience of mentors like John Melton and Clanton Clayton, laid the groundwork for entire neighborhoods that still thrive today. Gertrude's presence in Lakeland appears to diminish after 1928 in local records, leaving a bit of a mystery about her later years after her significant impact on this part of the city.
The Rest of the Story: A Deeper Look at 802 S. Ingraham Avenue!
Some of our readers may recall or recognize the name of Paul Harvey. He made a name for himself with his "Rest of the Story" series, which told compelling and interesting behind-the-scenes tales. I thought of him as I revisited these home histories. Since 802 and 810 now have their Century Home markers, it seems right to bring their stories up to par with the other century homes we have been covering. This week, we will focus on 802 S. Ingraham Avenue.
We already introduced the first occupants, W. Gay & Emma B. Raines. Gay worked as a salesman for Calvin & Overstreet, so his move into this newly constructed home solidifies the connection between the real estate firm and the new neighborhood. After just a couple of years, the home saw multiple occupants as the real estate market began to struggle, followed by the Great Depression. This included:
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1928: Hiram P. & Jennie Schoonmaker
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1931: Charles W. & Mary Perkins
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1934: Williard J. & Alma Swain
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1936: Howard H. & Hazel H. Morrow, a section foreman for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACLRR).
Many of the homeowners we have researched across the historic districts fall into four main employment categories: real estate, the county, entrepreneurs, and the ACLRR. Often, employees of the ACLRR are somewhat transient, only staying in one place for a couple of years at most. However, our next occupant broke that stereotype—Cecil M. & Essie B. Keyes! Cecil was a Chief Clerk for the ACLRR for nearly thirty years, living in 802 the entire time. Following his passing, Essie remained in the home until 1981, when her sister-in-law, Helen Keyes, sold the home—well over four decades after the family first moved in.
Following the Keyes, the home saw Robert J. & Thelma A. Rice for about eight years, then Gray & Eileen Scheffel for over twenty years and still counting. The long residency of the Keyes and the Scheffel’s makes the home a true anchor in the community.
For more on the ACLRR and railroad history in Lakeland in general, hopefully you caught the inaugural exhibit at the city library's expanded History and Culture Center in 2020 or 2021. You can find more information about it here:
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YouTube (with Kevin Cook): https://www.facebook.com/share/v/178TBKRV6u/
And, for something closer to my own home's history, don't miss the current exhibit on Lakeland's Citrus industry. Thank you to LuAnn Mims and her excellent team:
