Mosswood (The 2nd Knock)

Lakeland has a very recognizable Victorian home near Lake Morton that once sat on six acres, had a tennis court where people would come and watch the owners and guests play and  a dock that is now a picnic pavilion.  In 1904, Norman Riggins built Mosswood for his wife.  Named Mosswood for the Spanish moss that was hanging in the many oak trees, this home was made to last..and stands today in a different location on the property.  In the early fifties the home was painstakingly moved to its current location.  The home has been a multi-family residence and has been brought back to a single family home by its current owners. Maybe one day, Mosswood will be a proud Bed and Breakfast.  Margaret Pinkston wrote a book describing the history of this majestic home called Mosswood Remembered.  Leaving the hard core history to Ms. Pinkston, I will share with you my thoughts on why this house is one I adore and a bit about the chat I had today with one of the owners, Kenneth.

It took me a solid week of stalkerish drive-bys to get the nerve up to walk up to this house.  Sitting on an elevation and being the grand matriarch of the historic district, Mosswood intimidates a tad.  It's colorful flowers and paint speak to you as if to say, "Come on crazy lady..you can do it" (So I did).  I rang the doorbell and wanted to bolt like a drunken teenager pulling a "ding-dong-dash"...but my shoes were mules so I didn't have a chance of a clean get-away without the owner seeing a middle aged lady sprawled out on his lawn- so I stayed.

Kenneth was so kind to chat with me and tell me many details of the history.  Standing on the gracious front porch, feeling the cross breezes cool us I was transported to a gentler time of lemonade and front lawn tennis.  The current owners have been at Mosswood since 1988 and have thrown benefit parties, nursed and cared for family members and Mosswood herself.  I asked Kenneth his favorite thing about Mosswood..and even though he said it was difficult to choose a favorite thing he went with the unarguable view of Lake Morton.  Curved windows and curved glass make the two stacking front verandas (these are not porches honey, these are verandas!)  The columns are all carved logs..how do I know? (He told me) plus, you can see the hand carved marks made by the knives... (I had begun to think that they all were those fiberglass ones that we toss up everywhere!)

Mosswood has celebrated life and the passing of life.  Norman Riggins passed away at Mosswood at the age of 82 and Kenneth told me that Mrs. Riggins died there as well.  It seems that Mosswood has some spirit energy that the owners are aware of but only in a positive and familiar way.  People have asked the owners who the little girl was in the window upstairs.  (There is no little girl currently in residence).

Mosswood is adored, not just by the owners of today, but by many of us who know her..who feel glad to see her and who are comforted by her steadfastness through time, hurricanes and the day-to-day.  My mother showed this house to me when I was younger as one of her favorites..now she'll know a little more about Mosswood. 

Kenneth was as gracious as his lovely grand home and the kicker is, he has already heard about the baby blog!  Mosswood meets facebook!

Please see "Mosswood Remembered" by Margaret Pinkston or visit www.lakelandgov.net/library/specoll  for more accurate historical information on Mosswood.  The color picture was taken today.  the black and whites are of Mosswood  in the early years, of The Riggins young family and of the Riggins later.