Along the swampy, cypress-fringed shores of Lake Jesup near Black Hammock, the landscape feels almost frozen in time. Today, the quiet is broken only by the low grunt of a bull alligator, the sudden slap of a mullet, or the...
Seminole County
Seminole County boasts a rich history dating back thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests indigenous people, likely the Seminole tribe, inhabited the region for millennia. European exploration commenced in the 16th century, with Spanish conquistadors leaving their mark.
Seminole County wasn’t officially established until 1913, carved out of Orange County. The area experienced significant growth throughout the 20th century, fueled by tourism and agricultural endeavors. Today, Seminole County flourishes as a vibrant hub, blending historic charm and modern conveniences.
Solary’s Wharf: The Lost Steamboat Gateway of Lake Jesup
Dr. Washington Kilmer: A Journey of Resilience and Service
Imagine facing a grim prognosis, given merely a year to live by your own medical colleagues. This was the stark reality for Dr. Washington Kilmer in 1872, then a physician in Ironton, Ohio, suffering from a severe physical breakdown induced by his tireless professional labors. But Dr. Kilmer was no ordinary man. Instead of succumbing, he embarked on an extraordinary 1,500-mile journey to Florida, on foot, hoping its famed climate and natural springs would restore his health.
Altamonte Springs 1892 Plat Map
Altamonte Land Hotel & Navigation Company
Surveyed by M. B. Given
Revised and Platted by Otto Fries, 1892
Mayaca-Jororo, the native people of Orlando
If you ask most residents who lived in Central Florida when the Spanish arrived, they’d probably tell you the Seminoles. However, the Seminoles didn't even exist when the Spanish arrived. Instead, they were bands of refugees fleeing to Florida long...
Osceola Ghost Town
The company town of Osceola was a bustling and modern city from 1916-1940. When the company relocated to south Florida, it literally dismantled the town board by board.
Petty’s Market of Longwood
Siblings Jay and Mary Alysson Pettigrew were twenty-something entrepreneurs passionate about food. Their first venture was running a typical high-volume supermarket owned by their parents (Jerry and Rosemary) in St. Cloud. They sold that market around 1976 when a buyer...
Lord family founded Ebenezer Methodist Church in Elder Springs (Sanford)
John Minton Lord (1839-1924) served with his brother, Jeremiah, for the 3rd Georgia Regiment of the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He was wounded and left for dead at Gettysburg. He lay for nine days under an apple tree,...
Jasmine Theater of Altamonte Springs
You'd never guess it today, but this modest residence was once the hub of social activity in early Altamonte Springs.
LuRae Hotel in Casselberry
The Lurae Tourist Court, known today as the Lu-Rae Motel, dates back to 1951. It is located at 3400 S US Hwy 17 92 in Casselberry, Florida. A 1953 postcard boasts the motel's amenities, which included a private beach on...
Death metal started in Altamonte Springs
Death was born in Altamonte Springs. No, that's not some sort of poetic oxymoron. "Death" is the name of a band founded in 1983 by three students: Chuck Schuldiner, Kam Lee, and Rick Rozz. Schuldiner attended Lyman, while Lee and...