05/21/2026
As we celebrate Historic Preservation Month, we’re honoring the architects who helped shape the character and charm of Winter Park. First spotlight: James Gamble Rogers II.
Born in 1901, Rogers became one of Winter Park’s defining architects, designing homes and landmarks that continue to shape the city’s identity today. After opening his Winter Park practice in 1928, Rogers became known for his masterful traditional residential designs, seamlessly working across Spanish Colonial, French Provincial, and other historic styles. While his portfolio expanded to include major projects like the Florida State Supreme Court Building and Rollins College’s Olin Library, his true passion remained residential architecture and the human scale of home design.
His signature residential work is Casa Feliz — the iconic Andalusian-style home originally built in 1932 for industrialist Robert Bruce Barbour. Known as the “Happy House,” Casa Feliz became a defining symbol of Winter Park’s architectural heritage. When the home faced demolition in 2000, the community rallied together, raising more than $1.2 million to save and relocate the 750-ton structure to its current home overlooking the Winter Park Golf Course. Today, Casa Feliz stands not only as a museum, but as a powerful reminder of what preservation can accomplish when a community comes together.
That mission feels especially urgent today. Fewer than 25 truly unique James Gamble Rogers homes remain in Winter Park. Three of those homes are currently in danger of demolition: Merrywood, the Ervin Theodore Brown House, and the Noyes House. Together, these homes represent irreplaceable pieces of Winter Park’s architectural and cultural history.
The Friends of Casa Feliz continues to advocate tirelessly for preservation efforts that protect Winter Park’s historic character for future generations through education, stewardship, and community engagement. Follow Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum for updates, preservation news, and opportunities to get involved. We are grateful for their ongoing work to preserve the history, architecture, and cultural heritage that make Winter Park so special.
