McTureous Homestead and Museum
42118 State Road 19
Altoona, Florida 32702
Lake County
352-669-2288
This site is located in the Central region of the state.
DIRECTIONS
The McTureous Homestead and Museum is located on the east side of SR19 in Altoona.
Owned by Lake County and operated by the Greater Altoona Society, Inc., the McTureous Homestead and Museum interprets an early 19th century cracker home. In addition, this is the boyhood home of U.S. Marine and World War II Medal of Honor recipient, Robert M. McTureous, Jr.
Classified 4F by his local Draft Board, young Robert personally financed two operations necessary to alter his draft status. Eventually enlisting in the Marines in 1944, Pvt. McTureous suffered mortal wounds June 7, 1945, during the fighting on Okinawa. The Medal of Honor citation reads, in part, that “By his fearless initiative and bold tactics, …had succeeded in neutralizing the enemy fire, killing six Japanese troops and effectively disorganizing the reminder of the savagely defending garrison.” His grave is in the Glendale Cemetery in Umatilla, Florida.
On display in the museum’s Military Room are many of McTureous’ medals and other personal effects. His Medal of Honor is exhibited at the Lake County Museum in Tavares. Adjacent to the home is the McTureous Memorial Park, which contains a memorial dedicated to the memory of Pvt. McTureous.
