1896 Joseph H. Lord constructs a two-story house on 90 acres of land located south of Roberts Bay now known as Bayshore Estates. Lord plants a citrus grove around the house. The house is constructed of “fat lighter” pine and has a wrap around porch.
Joseph H. Lord (1860-1936) was educated at Brown and Boston universities. He engaged in the buying and selling of real estate, citrus cultivation, and a variety of other businesses. In 1921 he was elected the first state legislature from newly formed Sarasota County.
1905 This apparently is the last year Lord occupies the house. Lord's citrus grove manager George Higel takes up residence in the house.
George Higel (1874-1938) wrote a weekly column for the Sarasota Times under the pen name "Nemo" from 1899 to 1923. These columns are the only known record of life in the Venice area prior to the development of the city during the 1920s.
1906 George Higel marries Abigail Williams. Five of the couple’s six children are born while the couple lives in the house.
1919 This is the last year the Higels reside in the Lord house. The property is sold to Rea R. Bales of Ohio.
1923 The property is sold to the Stone Farms Association, a Massachusetts Corporation. Although the property is sold several times over the years, it is commonly known as the “Stone Grove House.”
1950 The citrus grove is sold and the land subdivided for residential development. The house is scheduled for demolition. George Wesley Higel, son George and Abigail Higel, moves the house to La Guna Drive, removes the wrap around porch to facilitate the move, and converts the house to a duplex with one unit occupying the second floor and another on the first floor.
1990s A new owner restores the house to a single family residence.
2005 The house is given to the City of Venice. The city pays to move the house to a city owned lot located on the southeast corner of Granada and De Parques Avenues (409 Granada Avenue). The house is to be restored to its original appearance and serve as a museum and educational center about pioneer life.
2007 A Rehabilitation / Preservation Plan for the house is completed by the architectural firm of Jackson + Hall Architects of Sarasota on June 20th.
2008 On June 4th the Friends of the Lord-Higel House is organized as a Florida corporation with the purpose of promoting, restoring and sustaining the local historic landmark known as the Lord-Higel House.
2009 On May 18th the Friends of the Lord-Higel House becomes a 501(c)(3) organization exempt from Federal income tax and qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers, or gifts.
2010 Lord-Higel House listed in the City of Venice Local Register of Historic Places.
2011 On January 31 the City of Venice and the Friends of the Lord-Higel House sign a users agreement permitting the Friends to begin restoration of the house.
2011 On February 18 the Friends receive the keys to the house from the City of Venice.
2011 In October volunteers begin restoration work.