This beautiful antebellum home, located in the Furman community, is best known for its rare Steamboat Gothic style – an elaborate design seldom found in the Deep South. The home has nearly 6,000 sq. ft. of living area which consists of 12 rooms that are warmed by 12 fireplaces, and unique porches on all sides. The home was named “Wakefield” by the Gulley family. John Gulley started construction around 1840 and depleted his financial resources by the time it was completed seven years later. The construction cost was $12,000. John Gulley then sold the home to his brother Henry Gulley, who bequeathed it to his daughter Laura Gulley. She left it to her half-sisters. The Gulley family owned the home from when it was constructed in the 1840s until it was sold in 1943 to Dr. Elkanah G. Burson. Much of the original furniture and mirrors remained with the home, preserving its historic integrity. The home is now owned by Sylvia Burson Rushing, granddaughter of Dr. Elkanah G. Burson, and her husband Tom Rushing. They are only the fourth family to own this home.
The home is featured in the book, Silent in the Land, which is a unique presentation of the major styles and periods of Southern architecture. It is a contributing property to the Furman Historic District that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This house is located in Furman on CR 59 approximately 0.4 mile south of the intersection of CR 59 and Hwy 21 (Google Maps)
This is a private residence – drive by only.
Source: Wilcox Historical Society