City of Eustis, Florida – America’s Hometown
Today we’re looking at another city that you might visit — if you’re visiting or even (heaven forbid) live in the state of Florida.
Eustis, Florida
Eustis, Florida, in Lake county, is 25 miles W of Deltona, Florida and 78 miles NE of Tampa, Florida. The city is located in the Orlando metropolitan area,
https://www.citytowninfo.com/places/florida/eustis
Eustis, FL Map & Directions – MapQuest
Lake Eustis, Florida, USA
Eustis – Florida – 4K Downtown Drive
What’s In a Name?
Well in Eustis quite a lot it seems. If you read articles about the town you might find that there is more than one candidate for which member of the Eustis family the town is named for:
Eustis, Florida
Dog Friendly Eustis, FL
Seminole Wars: United States history
Brig. General Abraham Eustis
Many say that the lake the city sits on was named for this Army officer who served in Florida during the Seminole War and was part of a group that recommended the allotication of a small territory in southern Florida to the tribe in an effort to end the hostilities.
Eustis will be the future home for the Lighthouse 5, the ‘largest drive-in movie theatre in the world’
The town was the Highlands for awhile—then Pendryville and later Lake Eustis—and eventually they dropped—well you get it right?
Filming Location Matching “Eustis, Florida, USA” (Sorted by Popularity Ascending)
Lake County Florida History
And Now we get the second Eustis:
General Henry Lawerence Eustis,
who was the son of Abraham—but Henry was a Civil War soldier, an engineer and eventually a professor at first West Point and later Harvard.
There’s different theories and proponents and so pick your fav—I like Henry– and go from there.
EUSTIS FL FISHING
My Hometown: Eustis, FL You Tube
History: Overview
Whomever it was named for, the settlement is said to have started here by 1875—It was Pendryville (with A.S. Pendry as post master) by 1877–before Pendry the post office was a box nailed to a tree next to Lake Eustis, the lake at that time was the main route to the town. Later 80 acres of his homestead were plotted by Mr Pendry in ’79. But eventually it went with the Eustis family name why it didn’t stay with Pendry and all his contributions I have no idea. Even the street he named Pendry was eventually changed to Magnolia Ave.
By 1880 a house built by that same Mr. Pendry was providing accommadations for visitors. The Pendry house was converted to the Ocklawaha (the name was changed byJohn Lane who bought it in 1897) He converted Pendry’s original house by adding wings to both side of the original structure (See the last picture above).
By 1906 the town had electrical street lights.
5 Things You Can’t Miss in Eustis, Florida/You Tube
Lemonade Lifestyle Boutique
GIFTS, DECOR, + MORE
Waterman’s humble beginnings: One of Lake County’s major medical centers benefitted from a struggling hotel
The Okalawa was sucessful until it burned down.
Then Frank Waterman–known for connections to the Waterman Fountain Pen Company, built a new hotel (fireproof) in town, which opened on Christmas Day 1924–unfortunately it had less than 2 years of success before Florida entered the great Depression a few years earlier than the rest of the country. Opps there went the hotel.
But Waterman (who had by this time suffered a stroke) decided they needed a hospital at his winter home and offered the hotel along with $100,000 in bonds to be convert into a hospital—which it wass ad then it officially opened in 1937—the Waterman Memorial Hospital (now Advent Health Waterman)
Waterman Village – About
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Things to Do in Eustis
Clifford House
536 Bay St.
Classical Revival 2 1/2 story house, frame, clapboarding. Full height entrance portico with paired Doric Columns
on the shores of Lake Eustis
Builder Gillford David Clifford
in 1910 – 1911
Early merchant in Lake County
First occupied Thanksgiving 1911.
Placed on National Register of Historic Places in the 1970’s
By Lottie C. Taylor
Clifford’s oldest daughter who was 103 at the time she did so.
Now home of the
Eustis Historic Museum
HAUNTED PLACES IN EUSTIS, FLORIDA
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Eustis Historical Museum Face Book
The Unity Bell Pavilion
On the grounds of
Clfford House/History Museum house.
Dedicated to Unity Bell Cliford the wife of the builder and original occupant of the house which now holds the history museum. The Pavilion is available for events (i.e. weddings and receptions)
Accommadations Eustis and close by
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Trout Lake Nature Center
The CItrus Museum
Next door to the Clifford House and is reportedly the only free standing citrus museum in the state.
It contains collections of labels, posters, utensils, tools, equipment and other citrus industry memorabilia as well as a “Grove Chemical Fire Engine” just to name a few items—and given the current fading of the industry this is even a more important collection than it originally was.
Things to Do
Who needs a recreational hunting or fishing license or permit?
Eustis Lake Walk
250 Ferran Park Drive,
Eustis, FL, 32726
The Lake Walk extends for one-quarter mile along Lake Eustis,
and includes 4 gazebos (w/benches) as well as 20 boat slips.
And fishing is popular along the walk. Jan thru March are usually good for bass fishing on Lake Eustis and are found this time of year when they are laying eggs to be found in shallower water of bays and canals. And don’t forget to catch a license to fish first
There are bathrooms available at either end of the walk.
The State Theatre of Eustis Home of Bay Street Players
City Parks
Tennis courts are available in a few park.
You can walk, run, jog, bike, and roller blade at Sunset Island Park.
Picnic at Ferran Park, Sunset Island, Pendleton Park and Bennett Park.
Boat Ramps on Lakeshore Drive.
And check for concerts available at Band Shells at a few of the parks…..
check the link above (City Parks) for more info about the parks
Peddler’s Wagon
Eustis Aquatic Center
The center has a variety of organized program and public swimming. Open all year (heated in winter). Check link above for more info.
Foxtail Coffee – Downtown Eustis
Restaurants in Eustis
Historic Downtown District: Downtown Waterfront Entertainment District,
Downtown Waterfront Entertainment District, approved September 5, 2013…check above to find what is located there and the open container provision that applies within certain city regulations on certain days and times. As well as certain events being held there over the year..
Wolf Branch Brewing Company
Of Special Interest
Chapel of Love
901 East Magnolia Avenue
Eustis, FL 32726
Wedding chapel cultivating lasting memories for over 30 years
Haunted Houses, Spook Walks & Other Halloween Attractions in Eustis
