Often referred to as Florida's first winter resident,
avid outdoorsman James N. Gamble, of Procter and Gamble, first discovered the backwoods of Port Orange in the 1890s.
Often referred to as Florida's first winter resident, avid outdoorsman James N. Gamble, of Procter and Gamble, first discovered the backwoods of Port Orange in the 1890s. Taken with all the area had to offer, Gamble built his charming Cracker-style cottage in 1907 to use as a hunting and fishing retreat. Situated on Spruce Creek, the property also contains an orange packing barn and, nearby, the homestead of the estate's caretaker.
Gamble's fondness for southern country homes and "Cracker" architectural details are reflected in the many imaginative features of Gamble Place, from the crescent-moon cutouts on the shutters and the steep, wooden-shingle roof, to the expansive porches and windows. Guests to Gamble Place can tour the house and grounds, and then head over to the adjacent Cracker Creek Canoeing and 175-acre nature preserve to enjoy the same pristine environment that Gamble experienced when he first visited the area in the 1800s.
