Kinhega Lodge

Kinhega Lodge was a private hunting and fishing plantation in northern Leon County, Florida, situated on Lake Iamonia. It developed from a large plantation estate whose land history extended back to the nineteenth-century cotton economy of the region. From the 1830s until 1866, the property formed part of Water Oak Plantation, associated with Richard Bradford. In the early twentieth century, Philadelphia businessman and shipping magnate Clement A. Griscom assembled a much larger estate in the horseshoe-shaped bend of Lake Iamonia. Griscom acquired the original 978-acre tract and plantation house in 1901 and expanded the holding through additional purchases in 1902 and 1903. The resulting Horseshoe Plantation eventually covered more than 10,000 acres and included an extensive network of woodland drives. After Griscom's death in 1916, the estate was divided among his heirs. Lloyd C. Griscom received the western portion, which became Luna Plantation, while Frances C. Griscom received the eastern portion and revived the name Water Oak Plantation. Frances Griscom was a noted sportswoman and had won the United States Women's Amateur Golf Championship in 1900. In 1951, she sold a substantial part of Water Oak Plantation to J. C. “Bull” Headley, a Kentucky-born owner who operated the property as Bull Run Plantation. Headley combined agricultural activity, including cattle raising, with the established tradition of plantation hunting. In 1964, Headley sold the lodge and approximately 3,700 acres to Gillis Long, a Louisiana congressman who had also served as an assistant secretary of the Office of Economic Opportunity during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration. With the participation of hunters, golfers, and fishing enthusiasts, the property was reorganized as Kinhega Lodge. Its identity centered more on waterfowl and fishing than on the quail hunting for which nearby Florida plantations were particularly known. The facilities included access to Lake Iamonia and four man-made lakes, including the roughly 90-acre Lake Monkey Business, which was used for duck hunting. The lodge operated as a private membership-oriented sporting property rather than as a conventional public hotel or resort. A reorganization described in the historical record brought in members from states including Texas, Wisconsin, and New York, and membership reached about 100. Gillis Long remained involved, while another prominent member was Jack Ladd, a vice president of Holiday Inns of America based in Memphis, Tennessee. The property was later known as Kinhega Lodge Estates, Limited. In the early 1970s, it was sold to investors and redeveloped as Killearn Lakes Plantation, a residential community planned for approximately 4,500 homes. Kinhega Lodge therefore survives primarily as a historical name associated with a former Florida plantation and private sporting estate, rather than as an active hospitality brand.

The land later associated with Kinhega Lodge was part of Water Oak Plantation from the 1830s through 1866. Richard Bradford was identified as the owner during that period. In 1901, Clement A. Griscom purchased 978 acres and a plantation house in the horseshoe bend of Lake Iamonia from R. E. Lester, son of Oaklawn Plantation owner Captain William Lester. Griscom expanded the property through purchases from the heirs of Burgesstown Plantation, the Whitehead family, and other landholders during 1902 and 1903. He retained the name Horseshoe Plantation, which ultimately grew to more than 10,000 acres and included over 25 miles of woodland drives. Following Griscom's death on October 19, 1916, the estate was divided. Lloyd C. Griscom received the western 4,000-acre section and named it Luna Plantation. Frances C. Griscom received approximately 7,000 acres on the eastern side, naming it Water Oak Plantation. Frances was a prominent sportswoman and had won the 1900 United States Women's Amateur Golf Championship. In 1951, Frances Griscom sold a large part of Water Oak Plantation to J. C. “Bull” Headley. He renamed the property Bull Run Plantation and developed it as a substantial agricultural and sporting estate. Its activities included cattle operations and hunting. Headley sold the lodge and approximately 3,700 acres in 1964 to Gillis Long, a Louisiana congressman and former assistant secretary of the Office of Economic Opportunity. A group of hunters, golfers, and fishing enthusiasts became involved, and the property took the name Kinhega Lodge. Kinhega was organized as a private sporting lodge with a particular emphasis on waterfowl hunting and fishing. The property included four man-made lakes as well as access to Lake Iamonia. Lake Monkey Business, a roughly 90-acre artificial lake, was used for ducks. Quail hunting occurred but was less prominent than at neighboring plantations. The historical account also describes a reorganization that brought members from Texas, Wisconsin, New York, and other states. Membership reached approximately 100, and Gillis Long remained involved. Jack Ladd, a Holiday Inns of America vice president in Memphis, was another prominent member. The property later became known as Kinhega Lodge Estates, Limited. In the early 1970s, investors acquired it and converted the former plantation and sporting property into Killearn Lakes Plantation, a residential development planned for about 4,500 homes. This redevelopment ended Kinhega Lodge's existence as an operating hunting and fishing lodge.

• 1970

  Property is redeveloped

  [1]Kinhega Lodgeen.wikipedia.org

  In the early 1970s, investors acquired the property and developed it into Killearn Lakes Plantation, a residential community planned for about 4,500 homes.

• 1964

  Kinhega Lodge is established

  [1]Kinhega Lodgeen.wikipedia.org

  J. C. Headley sold the lodge and approximately 3,700 acres to Gillis Long and associated sporting interests. The property became known as Kinhega Lodge.

• 1963

  Membership reorganization is recorded

  [1]Kinhega Lodgeen.wikipedia.org

  The historical account describes a reorganization that expanded the lodge's membership base to participants from several states; the relationship between this date and the 1964 property sale is not fully clear.

• 1951

  Bull Run Plantation period begins

  [1]Kinhega Lodgeen.wikipedia.org

  Frances Griscom sold a large part of Water Oak Plantation to J. C. “Bull” Headley, who operated it as Bull Run Plantation with agricultural and hunting activities.

• 1916

  Horseshoe Plantation is divided

  [1]Kinhega Lodgeen.wikipedia.org

  After Griscom's death on October 19, the estate was divided between Lloyd C. Griscom and Frances C. Griscom, becoming Luna Plantation and Water Oak Plantation.

• 1902

  Horseshoe Plantation expands

  [1]Kinhega Lodgeen.wikipedia.org

  Griscom continued acquiring adjoining land from plantation heirs and other owners during 1902 and 1903.

• 1901

  Clement A. Griscom acquires the Lake Iamonia tract

  [1]Kinhega Lodgeen.wikipedia.org

  Clement A. Griscom purchased 978 acres and a plantation house in the horseshoe bend of Lake Iamonia, beginning the formation of Horseshoe Plantation.

• 1866

  Earlier plantation period ends

  [1]Kinhega Lodgeen.wikipedia.org

  The property ceased to be identified with the documented Bradford-era Water Oak Plantation after 1866.

• 1830

  Land forms part of Water Oak Plantation

  [1]Kinhega Lodgeen.wikipedia.org

  From the 1830s, the land later associated with Kinhega Lodge was part of the cotton plantation known as Water Oak Plantation, owned by Richard Bradford.

A private, membership-oriented Florida sporting lodge focused on waterfowl hunting, fishing, and rural plantation recreation. Its profile differed from nearby quail-focused hunting plantations because managed lakes and access to Lake Iamonia were central to its appeal.

• Outdoor sporting activity

  Waterfowl hunting

  Waterfowl hunting was the lodge's principal sporting focus. Members used the property's managed waters, including the approximately 90-acre Lake Monkey Business, as well as access to Lake Iamonia. This emphasis distinguished Kinhega from nearby plantations where quail hunting was more central.

• Outdoor sporting activity

  Fishing

  Fishing was a core part of Kinhega Lodge's private sporting offer. The lodge's location on Lake Iamonia and its network of four man-made lakes provided members with freshwater recreation within the plantation setting.

• Membership hospitality

  Private sporting membership

  Kinhega operated as a private lodge for hunters, golfers, fishing enthusiasts, and other members rather than as a documented mass-market hotel. Membership reportedly reached about 100 and included people from multiple U.S. states.

• 1970

  Redevelopment as Killearn Lakes PlantationStrategy

  Background

  The former lodge property was sold to investors in the early 1970s after operating as a private hunting and fishing estate.

  Action taken

  Investors converted the property into Killearn Lakes Plantation, a planned residential development.

  Aftermath

  Kinhega Lodge ceased operating as a hunting and fishing lodge, and the site's subsequent identity became residential rather than sporting.

  Source

• 1964

  Conversion into a private waterfowl and fishing lodgeStrategy

  Background

  After J. C. Headley sold the lodge and approximately 3,700 acres to Gillis Long and associated sporting interests, the property was reorganized around private hunting, fishing, and recreational membership.

  Action taken

  The property adopted the Kinhega Lodge identity, emphasized waterfowl and fishing activities, and maintained access to Lake Iamonia and several artificial lakes.

  Aftermath

  Kinhega developed a multistate membership base and remained a private sporting property until its later sale and residential redevelopment.

  Source

1. 1Kinhega Lodgeen.wikipedia.org