Withers-Maguire House: Ocoee's National Register Historic Landmark
An 1888 Stick Victorian gem on Starke Lake — and one of Orange County's most storied historic homes
The Withers-Maguire House is a historic house museum and event venue located at 16 East Oakland Avenue in Ocoee, Florida, built in 1888 by retired Confederate Brigadier General William Temple Withers. It was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on April 2, 1987, making it one of Orange County's most significant landmarks. Constructed from Florida heart pine milled on-site, the home is an example of Stick Victorian architecture and was among the first residences in Orange County to feature concealed electrical wiring and bedroom closets. The City of Ocoee acquired the property in 1983 and restored it using city funds and a State of Florida grant. Today, the downstairs rooms are available for private event rentals, while the upstairs serves as a museum depicting early 1900s life in Ocoee.
Here's something most people relocating to the Orlando area don't realize: just west of the city, tucked along the shores of Starke Lake in Ocoee, sits one of Central Florida's most remarkable pieces of living history. The Withers-Maguire House has been standing since 1888 — listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and still hosting events and welcoming visitors today. If you're drawn to communities with real roots, this story is for you.
A Civil War General Builds His Florida Retreat
General William Temple Withers was a veteran of the Mexican-American War and a Confederate Brigadier General who came to Central Florida on his doctor's advice. He first visited Ocoee in 1884 and by 1887 had purchased 110 acres from Captain Bluford Sims. In 1888, he built the house that still stands today at 16 East Oakland Avenue — all for a total of $3,700, which covered the home, a boathouse on Starke Lake, and a bathing tank.
The house is a prime example of Stick Victorian architecture, built from Florida heart pine milled right on the property and featuring wide wrap-around porches reminiscent of Withers' Kentucky home. It was among the first in Orange County to have electrical wiring inside the walls and closets in the bedrooms — genuinely forward-thinking for 1888. Withers enjoyed it for just one year; he died in 1889 at 64. His widow Martha returned to Kentucky, and the house sat largely empty for two decades.
The Maguire Era: Ocoee's First Family
In 1910, Martha Withers sold the house — along with most of its original furnishings — to David Oscar Maguire, whose own Ocoee home had recently burned to the ground. The price and timing were fortuitous for Maguire, a prominent figure in the area's citrus and vegetable farming industries.
The Maguires became deeply woven into Ocoee's civic identity. David's son Fred became Ocoee's first mayor. The family remained in the home until 1979, making theirs a nearly 70-year tenure in the house. Their great-granddaughter Nancy Maguire later served as the museum's curator until her passing in 2009, and she helped secure the house's feature in the national publication Great Houses of Florida in 2008 — a testament to how seriously this family took their role as stewards of local history.
It's that kind of multi-generational community rootedness that makes the Withers-Maguire House more than a curiosity for history buffs. It's a tangible thread connecting modern Ocoee to its founding families — and a reminder of why neighborhoods like Gotha and Winter Garden nearby have such strong senses of place. Visit our Gotha arts and culture guide to explore more historic landmarks in the West Orange area.
From Neglect to National Landmark
After the last Maguire family members moved out in 1979, a commercial venture attempted to convert the home into offices — a plan that ultimately fell through. The City of Ocoee stepped in and acquired the property in 1983, then undertook a careful restoration using a combination of city funds and a State of Florida historic preservation grant.
That investment paid off on April 2, 1987, when the house was officially listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. In a region better known for theme parks and new construction, that designation is genuinely rare. The restoration preserved fireplaces with ornately carved mantels, indirect lighting that keeps original fixtures in place, and yes — those 1888 bedroom closets are still there. The upstairs rooms now serve as a museum depicting everyday life in early 20th-century Ocoee.
Visiting and Renting the Withers-Maguire House Today
Today the Withers-Maguire House operates as part of the broader Ocoee Lakeshore Center complex on Starke Lake, making it part of a waterfront destination that includes event lawns and outdoor spaces. Here's the practical breakdown for anyone planning a visit or an event:
Public Tours
The house is open for tours when the city is hosting community events, or by appointment. To schedule a visit, contact Ocoee Parks & Leisure Services at (407) 905-3100, or reach out to the Friends of Historic Preservation at (407) 810-9123. Given how close Ocoee is to both Gotha and Horizon West, it's an easy day-trip addition for West Orange County residents.
Private Event Rentals
The downstairs rooms are available to rent for intimate gatherings — think rehearsal dinners, baby showers, bridal luncheons, or small corporate events. A large wrap-around porch expands your usable space for groups over 50 when weather cooperates (which in Central Florida, is most of the year). A modern catering kitchen with a large cooler and prep area is included, with a separate back entrance for caterers.
Location & Directions
- Address: 16 East Oakland Avenue, Ocoee, FL 34761
- From Gotha: Approximately 5 minutes via Old Winter Garden Road or SR 50 east
- From Winter Garden: Approximately 10 minutes east on SR 50
- From Downtown Orlando: Approximately 20 minutes via the 408 Expressway west
The house sits near the West Orange Trail, so if you're a cyclist making your way through West Orange County, the Withers-Maguire House is a natural stop. It's that combination — outdoor recreation plus authentic local history — that makes this corner of Central Florida so compelling for relocators. Explore more of the area's outdoor spaces in our Ocoee parks and recreation guide.
What the Locals Know
The Withers-Maguire House is one of those places that long-time West Orange County residents take genuine pride in — and that newer arrivals often discover by happy accident. It grounds a rapidly growing region in something real: the story of a Civil War veteran who came to Florida for his health, built something beautiful, and helped lay the foundation for a community that's now home to tens of thousands of families.
If you're considering a move to Ocoee or the surrounding West Orange corridor, knowing that landmarks like this exist speaks to the character of the area. This isn't just another suburb that appeared overnight. These communities have real history, real architecture, and real stories. And the fact that Ocoee has preserved and maintained this house — rather than letting it be bulldozed for another strip mall — says something important about the kind of place it is.
Whether you're a history enthusiast, an event planner, or simply someone scouting Central Florida neighborhoods, the Withers-Maguire House deserves a spot on your list. Visit our Ocoee arts and culture guide and our Ocoee community guide to learn more about what makes this city tick.
For current hours, event listings, rental availability, and more, visit the official Withers-Maguire House at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center website.
Curious about historic and culturally rich neighborhoods across Central Florida? Check out our Orange County real estate guide or browse communities like Gotha and Winter Garden to find the right fit for your family. 🏡
