So Hello——The world (i.e. USA) is a bit crazy now…so thought I”d Start your week with one of those driving tours about Central Florida with some fun information and points of interest to give you some opportunities to exit the car for some fun.
Take I – 4 East from Tampa, Lakeland, Kissimmee and Orlando—you get the idea…..from Daytona, New Smyrna, Deland and the like it would be west I-4.
Exit on route 46 west. This will take you away from Sanford
You might however like to spend some time in Sanford.
Sanford was once the last stop on a Riverboat that took passengers from ocean voyages that ended in Jacksonville, Florida—from there future settlers and tourists could board a Riverboat that came down the St. John’s River you to Sanford.
It was from Sanford that the Southern Railroad began its journey to Tampa. The railroad was completed to Orlando in 1889, Kissimmee 1882 and Tampa in 1884.
Sanford was also known for its produce and was named after an honorary General who once owned most of the farms in the area and whose name was actually spelled Sanford.
If you decide you will come to The Central Florida Zoological Society
Which is a lovely place to visit and has all manner of animals to see and there are zip lines, merri-go- round and much more.
Have a lunch or dinner cruise on the St. John’s RIver
maybe a picnic in Ft. Mellon Parks
in fact you might just want to spend the full day in Sanford (this site includes a virtual tour of the downtown)
If you decide to do that you can just pick up the path again at the next section
Continue West on 46
Mount Plymouth: A 1925 brochure called it “a grand and exalted winter playground: The Golf Capital of the world.
Last time I was there in the area the golf course was still there south of the town, but had been closed for awhile now. Needless to say the playground is long gone.
In the 1880’s the area thrived and the railroad out of Sanford passed thru here, but in 1894-95 brought a freeze and many of the settlers left the era and those that stayed and new homesteaders farmed the land and the new crops became cattle and turpentine.
In 1920 the land boomers arrived followed shortly by the city’s golf course as well as a large hotel (see picture below) which once the tourists left became a school for awhile and is now long gone. The golf course may be gone as well now, but there were 4 “gingerbread” houses adorned with flamingos and heron that survived it all.
Sorrento’s Oak Haven Farms & Winery and You Pick Strawberries
Exploring “Little Switerzland”
QUIET VILLAGE IN THE HILLS HARBORS A GLAMOROUS PAST
Continue on 46 and you will come to
Sorrento: In 1800 this town was a hub of the area with saw mills, lumber yards, a citrus packing house, a drugstore, two general stores and a hotel–it’s hotel, the Averil House burned in 1910.
ROCK SPRINGS RUN STATE RESERVE
You will come to 441—-you can either turn north (right) here or you can continue on to Mount Dora, and enjoy some of the great activities and things to do here.
This charming town on Lake Dora is home to many retirees. It also contains quaint Victorian Houses complete with lawn bowling in the downtown which also contains antiques and curios shop. It was once painted pink for a movie (Honky Tonk Freeway). The 1883 Lake Side Inn is harming and a perfect place to spend a romantic weekend—oh and don’t miss the Ice House Playhouse and be sure to take a Lake Dora Cruise.
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Activities & “Things to do” in Mount Dora, FL
Welcome to Mount Dora!
You can always return to 441 after a visit or on a later weekend
Continue on 441 thru Tavares
Tavares: founded in 1870’s by Major St. Clair-Abrams. In 1880 the major had a channel dug across the neck of land which separated lake Dora and Lake Eustis, so the Major’s three steamers could use the channel with ease. IT was the main mean of commerce until the railroad came in 1885.
A popular recreation site for years, a picnic area was developed in 1902 where Riverest Park is location today. Even a small zoo was run for several years on the west bank of Summerall Park.
Points of Interest include
and Sparks Village Boat Ramp on Lake Harris
and Summerall Park on Lk. Dora.
Tavares
Activities
Continue on 441 until you reach Leesburg
Leesburg is where you’ll find beautiful turn-of-the century homes and buildings. antique stores, a golf course as well as hotels, trailer parks and fish camps for the overnight visitor.
Leesburg is Lake County’s oldest city and at one time was the county seat while a part of Sumter County. The city claimed 1857 as its birthday when Leesburg celebrated its centennial in 1957, recognizing the year that the city’s namesake, Evander Lee, and his family came to the area.
Leesburg is Lake County’s oldest city and at one time was the county seat while a part of Sumter County. The city claimed 1857 as its birthday when Leesburg celebrated its centennial in 1957, recognizing the year that the city’s namesake, Evander Lee, and his family came to the area.
A Great Place to Play
Driving Downtown Leesburg FL
Continue on 441 until you come to 44 and turn left–West to Wildwood
Wildwood
According to tradition, this is how Wildwood obtained its name before it was a community. In 1877, a crew of workmen and a surveyor were putting in a telegraph line south of Ocala. The surveyor was required to report in from time to time. So when the surveyor called in and the office asked “Where are you?” He paused, and the answer he gave was, “I don’t know, except in the wild woods.”
Community spirit is still alive and well in Wildwood. Residents are working together to revitalize many of the historic buildings, including the Baker Home on County Road 44-A on the east side of The Villages. Built by Senator David Hume Baker in the late 1800s, the Victorian-style house and five acres of property were donated to the City of Wildwood. The house is currently being renovated to become the home of the Wildwood Area Historical Society. Several fundraising events have recently taken place and tours will be available later in the year.
Wildwood has long been the home of the Three Flags Resort RV Park with full amenities
Continue on 44 to I-75 and go North
Restaurants in Wildwood
Baker House
exit on route 484 going west
The Town of Dunnellon was formed on Dec. 22, 1890 and later incorporated on April 21, 1891. In 1971 the town became the City of Dunnellon.
Dunnellon, named for local financier John F. Dunn, is located in the southwest corner of Marion County where the beautiful Rainbow River merges with the Withlacoochee River. Dunnellon is noted as the site of the first discovery of hard-rock phosphate in the state of Florida.
The growth of the phosphate mining industry in the region was the catalyst of the city’s economic boom experienced during the late 1800s and early 1900s – thus giving Dunnellon its enduring nickname “Boomtown.”
Happy Acres Ranch
Since we’re all returning to different destinations: Please consult a map service on line—or your car or phone’s GPS system to get you home safely and I hope you enjoyed the adventure into old time Florida
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