Alfred married Alicia, his second wife, in 1907 and showered her with gifts. The most costly was the gorgeous new house he built for her on a 3,000-acre property outside Wilmington. His wife, Alicia, had appreciated the late-18th-century French style of Carrere and Hastings, a well-known New York architectural firm. Alfred called the estate Nemours after the French town his great-great-grandfather represented in the French Estates-General. While taking inspiration from his ancestors, Alfred made sure his new home was modern by including cutting-edge technology and several of his inventions. A great post.

Alfred married Jessie Dew Ball in a low-key wedding one year after losing his second wife, Alicia, who died unexpectedly. Alfred had first met the Ball family more than two decades before when Jessie was a teenager. Jessie was 20 years Alfred’s junior at the time. Over the years, he and the Balls remained close, and Alfred and Jessie exchanged letters periodically. The Balls had relocated to California by 1920. Still, Jessie, who was then in her mid-30s, returned to the East for a lengthy period of time, during which her connection with Alfred got more intense.

After their marriage, Alfred and Jessie made frequent trips to Florida, eventually deciding to settle in Jacksonville in 1925. In Epping Forest, they erected a house, and Alfred got engaged in a number of profitable ventures throughout his lifetime. However, more than just generating money was his objective; he was also profoundly devoted to assisting Florida and its citizens in the establishment of good financial institutions and the development of a modern industrial base.

The two elk that stand at the top of the Vista are the work of French sculptor Prosper Lecourtier (1855–1924), who was known for his animal figurines. It spans from the Mansion to the Reflecting Pool and is lined by Japanese cryptomeria, pink blooming horse chestnuts, and pin oaks.

The 157 jets in the middle of the one-acre pool spray water 12 feet into the air; when they are switched off, the whole “Long Walk” is mirrored in the pool. The pool, which is five and a half feet deep at its lowest portion, contains 800,000 gallons of water and takes three days to fill. In the pool area, Henri Crenier’s (1873–1948) “Four Seasons” sculptures, done in the Art Nouveau style and based on ancient mythology, are a highlight.

They are dedicated to offering a high-quality experience to each and every one of their guests. If you have any problems or questions or need exceptional help, please call Nemours Mansion at (302) 651-6912 or email us.