As I promised we’d do another on Winter Springs as part of my reasons to visit small town Florida. My last blog was on the Scottish Games that they hold in the town every January….today we look at the town for other reasons to visit and things to do when you DO.
Seems that Moses Levy, a New York merchant, came to Florida in the early 19th century (before it became part of the US in 1821) and acquired thousands of acres of land while it was still under Spanish control. During this time he made his fortune in lumber and trade–his Spanish land grant included all of what is today Winter Spring.
By the 1830’s Henry Gee (wealthy landowner for which the local Gee Creek is named) and his son John Henry Gee (an Army doctor during the Seminole and by the 1840s they had assumed some of Levy’s old grant. By the 1880s there were trading camps at Clifton Springs and Tuskavilla Landing—Their wharfs were as far south as a steamboat could go and freight was landed here and then shipped by wagon to Maitland and Orlando. Local farmers shipped their crops from here as well. W.W. White is recorded as being one of the most successful merchants (wharf near Clifton Springs) to settle in the area, stocking all manner of items to supply the settlers in the area with caravans of traders stocking up on items a common sight in the area. South of the area lumbering and the resulting sawmills sprang up as did turpentine stills and cattle grazed near spring-fed lakes.
By 1959 the town—incorporated as North Orlando–had 600 residents. In 1972 the populace no longer liked the name and voted to change it to Winter Springs. According to the 2013 Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 33,871.
Source: FLASHBACKS: THE STORY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA’S PAST
Jim Robison & Mark Andrews of the Orlando Sentinel
However, the growth of the Central Florida region as a whole contributed to the City’s steady development. In 1968 nearby Florida Technological University opened, and has grown to become the nation’s third largest university, the University of Central Florida (UCF). The continued development of UCF, its adjacent Research Park, and the growth and development of Central Florida’s aerospace and defense industries has fueled consistent, steady development of high quality, suburban style residential neighborhoods from the 1970s to date making Winter Springs one of Central Florida’s premiere destinations.
http://www.winterspringsfl.org/wintersprings.biz/EN/web/demographics/history.htm
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Bear Creek Nature Trail
1555 Winter Springs Blvd.
A pleasant area with a nature trail along Bear Creek. Two small bridges and a few picnic tables.
check this site for all your hiking pleasure details:
Prior to European colonization, the area that is now Winter Springs was populated by the various Native Americans including the Timucua and Seminole tribes.
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Ranchlands Park
191 E. Tradewinds Road.
at Ranchland Road and Hayes Road
This small park has volleyball court, horse shoe and a picnic shelter w/BBQ pit. Is on a lake and is suppose to be ideal for family gathering.
Winter Springs Town Center
158 Tuskawilla Road
Anchored by Publix Super Market
Central Winds Park
1000 Central Winds Drive.
This park is large and has quality league play fields for baseball, softball, and soccer as well as volleyball courts. For those less active (on the west) are pavilions, picnic grills, a playground and nature trail. There is also a Dog Park
Home to the Scottish Games
For information on all area parks: www.winterspringsfl.org/EN/web/dept/pr/cityparks.htm
The Winter Springs Veterans Memorial located at the corner of Tuskawilla Rd and Blumberg Blvd. It was erected to commemorate the local soldiers, and the service they provided for their country.
The Veterans Memorial project was started in 2005, and is located behind the recently built Winter Springs town center. The memorial was kick started by the local rotary club who wanted to express a feeling of gratitude towards all the men and women who had served in the military[1]. To ensure quality and proper fund raising, the rotary club partnered with the city of Winter Springs in the building process. Both groups were able to come together, and split the cost of the monument in half. [2] In combining the efforts of the rotary club and the city, both groups were able to establish a location for the memorial and a proper funding plan to get it built.
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/exhibits/show/cflmonuments/winter-springs-veterans-memori
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Events in addition to the Scottish Games
FATHER AND DAUGHTER DANCE
Winter Springs Senior Center
2/9 7-9 pm
Live DJ, Free professional photo and free refreshments. Prizes.
http://www.winterspringsfl.org/EN/web/dept/pr/seniorcenter.htm
Winter Springs Town Center
Explore Outdoors
4/7: Arbor education, live entertainment, food and beverage vendors, outdoor based recreation activities as well as kids crafts and play area
Winter Springs Artoberfest
10/21 & 22 10 am – 5 pm
10th annual: 125 juried artists, German food, beverage and music. Kids art area.
Home Town Harvest
11/4-5 9 pm
Hayrides to live music, various vendors, Kids Hay Play area and pumpkin painting. Line dancing
for information for all Winter Spring Festivals: http://www.winterspringsfl.org/assets/Events/2017/comm%20events%202017.pdf
“Winter Springs is primarily quiet, beautifully developed residential land, a tranquil suburban environment for its…residence.
The Insider’s Guide to Greater Orlando/Orlando Sentinel
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as far as Restaurants go I have only eaten at one in the town
Napoli’s
122 State Road 434
check out my review for information on it….A great Little Italian is mine
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34748-d3315017-Reviews-Napoli_s-Winter_Springs_Florida.html
Though I haven’t tried them there is in fact a Mexican, and a Greek Restaurant in the same shopping Center.
What about cost of living in Winter Springs , FL? The median income in Winter Springs , FL is $61,739 and the median home value is $205,600, which should give you a pretty good idea of its affordability. Winter Springs , FL is also the perfect place to break in your new shoes, due to its WalkScore ® of 17.6019.
https://livability.com/fl/winter-springs
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