solid architectural bones and needed
some TLC to become the showplace
it had once been. After years, of legal
entanglement, the mansion went on
the market in the Spring of 2017. The
Cowherd brothers purchased the
Howey Mansion for a mere $630,000.
Their goal was to return the home to
its original splendor when the Howeys
resided there.
When William J. Howey, came to Lake
County in the mid-1920’s, he was
already a successful businessman. He
had made most of his money during
the Florida Land Boom. Howey and
his wife Mary commissioned famed
New York architect Katherine Cotheal
Bud to design their new home. Bud
would be one of the first three women
admitted into the American Institute
of Architecture, and she designed the
home in Mediterranean Revival style.
The breathtaking Rose stucco exterior,
with its Spanish tile roof, rises in
glorious contrast to the surrounding
flora of the wide lawn. The perimeter
of the property is surrounded by a
long, winding stone fence. Wrought
iron gates open to a lengthy horseshoe-
shaped drive, leading to the main
entrance of the mansion. The double
doors, which welcomed the Howey
family and their affluent guests into
the mansion, boast multi-colored, fan
shaped stained-glass windows above
them. When caught by the brilliant
sunshine, they cast an array of colors
across the main entryway. Walking
through those very same doors, nearly
92 years later, is like walking back in
time, feeling like a guest of the Howeys
themselves.
tours that highlight the history and
details of the mansion, you can
experience it for yourself.
Personally, I was anxiously awaiting
the chance to see inside of the Howey
Mansion. It was just a few years ago
when I first learned about the home
from Winter Garden’s own Rod
Reeves. He regaled me with stories of
his visit to the mansion and speaking
with Mrs. Howey, leaning against
(and opening) a trap door that led
to the room where the Howeys kept
their bootlegged liquor. Rod even
acquired an antique chair which was
used in the “telephone room” where,
then-President Calvin Coolidge
made phone calls during his 1930
visit. Having a telephone, let alone a
The current owners have invested well telephone room, in any home was a
over half a million dollars into the sign of true wealth and sophistication.
restoration of the home. It’s money
well spent and during their daytime Back in August, Rod and I decided to
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