Florida’s 100-year-old Swearingen-Langford House, built for famed state senator, is for sale for $1.7M

An iconic piece of Florida history has hit the market near Central Florida, for just one of the few times since it was built 100 years ago.

Located at 690 E. Church St. in Bartow, the Colonial Revival-style Swearingen-Langford House was built in 1925 for Florida State Sen. John J. Swearingen, a Spanish-American War veteran and attorney. It was designed by renowned Tampa architect B. Clayton Bonfoey, whose joint firm with Malachi Leo Elliot, Bonfoey and Elliot, is responsible for major works like Tampa City Hall, DeSoto County Courthouse and the Kenilworth Lodge, among many others. 

Swearingen lived in the home with his wife, Mary Harding Rainey, before it later became property of their daughter and her husband, Richard H. Langford, a major player in Central Florida’s citrus and cattle industries.

It’s now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The three-story home spans over 5,200 square feet and has four bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms. It’s been remodeled over the years, but much of its original historic charm remains, as seen in the classic red brick and white column-lined exterior, hardwood floors, original walls and ceilings, designer chandeliers and four gas fireplaces.

Outside, the estate boasts a heated swimming pool, covered pavilion, summer kitchen and cooling misters. There’s also a detached two-car garage with a workshop.

The home is currently priced at $1,700,000 and the listing agents are Linda O’Grady and Flavia Bazzon with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.

Every house has a story, and our mission is to tell Orlando’s story through the lens of our community’s most exceptional and historic homes. Orlando Weekly’s real estate features are not ads and are assembled by our editorial department. But we love public input. Do you know of a unique Florida home we should highlight? Let us know, and email cgreenberg@orlandoweekly.com.