701 Museum Court

The History

Francis and Precious Ann Ederington were pioneers in Hernando County, traveling from South Carolina to the property now known as Chinsegut Hill. Their son, Francis Higgins Ederington, Jr. (Frank) was born in 1863 in the middle of the Civil War. He was one of 11 children. When Frank was only 3 years old, his father Francis passed away, and his mother Precious Ann died just three years later when Frank was 6. His eldest sister, Charlotte, took over raising her orphaned siblings. 

Charlotte married Dr. James Russell Snow who was listed as a dentist and also from South Carolina. They renamed their plantation Snow Hill, added citrus groves to their crops, and had seven children of their own.

As an adult, Frank continued as a citrus farmer. He built this house circa 1895 when the area was known as “Orange Heights.” According to the Tampa Daily Times in 1916, a park was planned for the back of Ederington’s property. In 1921, Frank sold his citrus nursery. However, he remained, along with his wife Sarah Gardner Ederington, in “the Ederington House” until the 1940’s. Frank was involved in local government and also served on Federal Grand Juries to review citizenship applications. He died in 1956 at 92 years of age and Sarah died in 1970 at age 89.  They are buried in the Brooksville Cemetery. 

While the pioneer Ederingtons had 11 children, only 3 were boys and none of the male descendents had children. The name, therefore, was not passed on to the next generation. Even so, a street near the Hernando High School Stadium bears the name Ederington Drive.

The house was a private home for several families until it was purchased by Mike and Tina Dolan from Washington State in 2016. They converted it into a bed and breakfast and renamed it “The Dolan House.” Debra and Roger King bought the business in 2018 and are the present day owner/operators. As a guest, you can stay in the Snow Room or the Ederington Suite.

CITATIONS/CREDIT: 

www.dolan-house.com/about_us

“Brooksville,” The Tampa Morning Tribune,” November 2, 1922, pg. 12

“Park Site Donated,” The Tampa Daily Times, May 3, 1916, pg. 12

“Brooksville Nursery Sold,” The Tampa Sunday Tribune, March 13, 1921, pg. 2

“Veniers for the Two Federal Juries Chosen, The Tampa Morning Tribune, January 25, 1916, pg. 16

“Pioneer Hernando Grower Dies,” Tampa Sunday Tribune, January 15, 1956, pg. 8A

“Funeral Notices,” The Tampa Tribune, September 1, 1970, pg. 27

https://www.naturecoaster.com/enjoy-a-special-stay-at-the-dolan-house/