27-03-2025
Milton's Urquhart House moving to new location — and it's not far
MILTON, Fla. (WKRG) — It's not something you see every day: a house moving down the street.
It's all part of an effort to save one of Milton's historic treasures including the Urquhart House.
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Built in 1941, the house was home to the Urquhart family, owners of the former JW Urquhart's Grocery & Market in the heart of downtown Milton.
'It's really a core part of the history of this community, their family, their store, and we want to be able to share that moving forward,' Santa Rosa Historical Society secretary Vernon Compton said.
Nearby residents watched, many taking photos as the house made its journey down Canal Street. Crews helped navigate it through trees and other roadblocks.
The home carries with it lots of memories for the Urquhart grandchildren.
'All the Christmases and Thanksgivings, the smell of my grandmother's kitchen,' Joseph Warner said.
'Being in her house. The backyard. Her flowers. Lots of good memories,' Debby Urquhart Schepper said.
Until now, the home sat on property belonging to the First Baptist Church of Milton. The church has partnered with the Santa Rosa Historical Society to restore this piece of Northwest Florida History.
'To have all this happen is just really an honor,' Warner said. 'We're just very, very thankful and appreciative that everyone stepped up and made this happen.'
The house will eventually open its doors once again as a museum in Milton's Historic District — where the Urquharts' impact on the Milton community will live on.
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'I'm just really excited just to show the history that our family had for this community,' Urquhart Schepper said.
'We're just very grateful to the community, and I know that Granny and Grandaddy and their children also are looking down and are also grateful,' Kathryn Williams said.
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