Daytona Beach -- Toronito

Object Details

sova.aag.gca_ref11952
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb62f9d236a-dd7f-4cb3-820b-7da65109e476
General
The red brick house was built in the 1950s and modeled after the governor's palace in Williamsburg, Virginia, which inspired the current owners in 1994 to install gardens with both southern and tropical plants and features on the four acre property Toronito. There are 200 year old Live Oak trees dripping with Spanish moss shading much of the property so the plant selection had to succeed in filtered shade, with some sunny locations including a rose garden. From the brick terrace with a round leaded glass window set into the wall supporting the gate there are views of the formal serpentine border planted with jasmine, sago palms, tea roses and conifers, and other formal beds contain caladium and agapanthus. The area known as the shade garden contains holly fern, iris and sago palm. A small orchard has pecan, fig and Meyer lemon trees. Throughout the property there are brick walkways that co-ordinate with the formal style of the planted beds and containers on the brick patio. The Halifax River runs alongside the property and is reached by walkways that divide around a sculpture of Poseidon, himself surrounded by a clipped circular hedge. In addition to the main house there is a guest house, garage, pool and garden shed where container plants are wintered over.
Toronito is a Seminole name meaning sunshine and goodwill, and Toronito's crest has been placed over the English colonial style front door of this house. There is a local legend about Princess Toronito who avenged the death of her French father at the hands of the Spanish settlers by siding with and helping the British explorer Sir Francis Drake defeat the Spanish in the 16th century.
Persons associated witht he garden include: Dr. and Mrs. Dwight Harris (former owners, 1950-1966); Mr. And Mrs. Paul H. Gugger (former owners, 1966-1986); Mr. and Mrs. R.T. Ayers (former owners, 1986-1991); Harry Griffin (architect, 1953-1954); Joe Knight, ASLA (landscape architect, 1994).
Former owner
Harris, Dwight Dr.
Harris, Dwight Mrs
Gugger, Paul H.
Gugger, Paul H. Mrs.
Ayers, R. T.
Ayers, R. T., Mrs.
Architect
Griffin, Harry
Landscape architect
Knight, Joe
Provenance
Garden Club of Halifax County
Collection Creator
Garden Club of America
Place
Toronito (Daytona Beach, Florida)
United States of America -- Florida -- Volusia -- Daytona Beach
Topic
Gardens -- Florida -- Daytona Beach
Former owner
Harris, Dwight Dr.
Harris, Dwight Mrs
Gugger, Paul H.
Gugger, Paul H. Mrs.
Ayers, R. T.
Ayers, R. T., Mrs.
Architect
Griffin, Harry
Landscape architect
Knight, Joe
Provenance
Garden Club of Halifax County
See more items in
The Garden Club of America collection
The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Garden Images / Florida
Sponsor
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
Custodial History
The Garden Club of Halifax County facilitated the submission of this garden's documentation.
Archival Repository
Archives of American Gardens
Identifier
AAG.GCA, File FL256
Type
Archival materials
Collection Citation
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Collection Rights
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Scope and Contents
The folder includes worksheets and historical information.
Collection Restrictions
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Related Materials
Toronito related holdings consist of 1 folder (19 digital images)
AAG.GCA_ref11952
Large EAD
AAG.GCA
AAG
Record ID
ebl-1643208220039-1643210178473-1
Daytona Beach -- Toronito
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