Sam Gillian House

Sam Gillian House, 2011
Image Courtesy of Broward County Libraries Division

Built by Samuel W. Gillian, this house is a distinguished example of a mission/ Spanish eclectic style dwelling with Prairie Style influences. Gillian was the treasurer-manager of the Everglades Lumber Company and a leader in the local Republican Party. Gillian was one of the few registered Republicans in the county, a fact that was cause for comment and amusement in the largely Democratic Broward County. He attended a number of Republican national conventions as a delegate from Florida.

When president-elect Warren G. Harding visited Fort Lauderdale, Gillian, as one of his hosts, arranged a golf game at the new Southside Golf Course with local pro Norman Sommers. The game became famous in local lore; some accounts said that Sommers let the president-elect win. Gillian also worked for Herbert Hoover in his presidential campaign and he may have entertained Hoover when he was in Fort Lauderdale to assess damage from the 1928 hurricane. In 1929 Gillian used the clout he gained in Washington, D.C., to get a $175,000 appropriation for a new post office in Fort Lauderdale on Southwest Second Street.

The 3,900-square-foot Gillian House was constructed of concrete and stucco-clad hollow clay tile, on two lots. The architect of the structure is unknown. The house has a distinctive green barrel tile roof. It features high ceilings, tiger oak floors and trim. The mahogany interior doors have unique inlaid contrasting wood detail. The house features red oak mantles, wide baseboards, French doors and distinctive multi-light casement windows. The original kitchen, including the sink, is intact. It is an excellent example of the finer houses that were built in the area during the 1920s land boom, most of which no longer exist.

The house was boarded up and scheduled for demolition in the early 1990s. Developer Jack Loos wanted to build an office building on the original site of the house on 300 S.E. Ninth Street. He offered the house for free to anyone who would move it. Jay and Jaimee Adams paid to have the structure moved to Southwest 15th Street and renovated. The house, which has been lovingly restored, is now used as professional offices.