08/26/2026
The story of the historic Baynard House begins in 1894, when Ephraim M. Baynard traveled from his native South Carolina to visit his sister, Josephine, in Auburndale. During his visit, he met 18-year-old Nettie Lee Brook. The two eventually married at the Hampton House, a hotel that once stood near the location of today’s Shake Shoppe.
The Baynards made Auburndale their home and raised two daughters here. At the time, Auburndale did not yet have a local high school, so their daughters attended boarding school away from home.
The Baynard House also witnessed some of the most challenging moments in early Auburndale history. Major fires swept through the downtown area, destroying numerous buildings. Mr. Baynard contributed to the rebuilding of downtown, helping establish the brick structures that replaced many of the buildings lost to the fires. Remarkably, the Baynard House itself survived.
Ephraim Baynard remained a part of the Auburndale community until his passing in 1933. Decades later, the historic home faced a new chapter as dedicated residents, volunteers, City staff, and more than 200 Auburndale High School student-volunteers came together during a major preservation effort in the 1990s.
Their work helped preserve the home and the stories contained within it. Today, the City of Auburndale owns the Baynard House, while the Baynard House Committee helps care for and protect its history.
Inside, visitors can find historic artifacts and furnishings, including a typewriter, dresses, beds, dressers, and other pieces that offer a glimpse into life during another era. The home serves as an active time capsule, connecting present-day Auburndale with the people who helped shape our community more than a century ago.
The Baynard House is also listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its significance as a piece of our nation’s historic heritage.
