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,...
Sanford
Sanford, Florida, nestled on the shores of Lake Monroe, boasts a history brimming with transformation. Originally inhabited by Seminole tribes, the area saw the establishment of Fort Mellon in the 1830s during the Seminole Wars. Soon after, the town of Mellonville sprouted, becoming a key distribution point thanks to steamboat traffic.
The arrival of Henry Shelton Sanford in 1870 marked a turning point. Envisioning a transportation hub, Sanford established the city of Sanford, which later absorbed Mellonville. With the advent of railroads, Sanford flourished as a citrus and vegetable shipping center, earning the nickname “Celery City” for its abundant crops. The early 20th century saw the creation of Seminole County with Sanford as its seat.
Sanford’s story extends beyond agriculture. From 1942 to 1968, the Sanford U.S. Naval Air Station was pivotal, influencing the city’s economic and social landscape. Today, the former station is Sanford’s International Airport, a testament to the city’s adaptability. Sanford’s vibrant downtown and rich history continue to attract visitors and residents alike.
Lord family founded Ebenezer Methodist Church in Elder Springs (Sanford)
Elder Springs
The area behind the former Flea World at the corner of 17-92 and 427 was long known as Elder Springs. It was named for Captain Philip Mahlon Elder, who moved to Sanford in 1884 and served as postmaster for many...
Sanford Landmarks of the 1960s
This photo looks southward down Park Avenue from the Veteran's Memorial Park.
Lake Monroe Public School, Constructed in 1919
The town of Lake Monroe was once a thriving community but much of its identity was swallowed up by I-4, and the rest erased by industrial buildings around the railroad of West Sanford. It overlays roughly with the former village...
Orange and Seminole County’s First Railroad
The legacy of that first narrow-gauge railroad from Sanford to Orlando still lives on today through SunRail. The first railroad in Seminole County was a narrow-gauge line stretching 23 miles between Sanford and Orlando. It was initiated by E. W....
Lynched in Longwood: The Brutal Killing of John West
Despite being acquitted by the court, an angry white mob took matters into their own hands in 1925 Seminole County.