Landmarks

Casa de Josefina: The Castle on the Ridge

The quaint Village of Highland Park is just south of Lake Wales on Scenic Highway 17. The hamlet is surrounded by orange groves and anchored by its crown jewel Casa de Josefina. The home, often mistaken for a hotel, was...

Orlando’s Fort Gatlin and Council Oak

Historians have debated the location of the fabled landmark where Seminoles gathered. Let’s solve the puzzle. Background: Orange County was Seminole Territory Contrary to popular belief, the Seminoles were not natives of the Everglades. They didn’t even have a unified...

Old South Bar-B-Q Ranch

Weary travelers for four decades were kept awake by the funny signs and nourished by the taste of this Clewiston oasis. There aren’t many roads more desolate and monotonous than going south on US 27. Once you pass Lake Placid,...

Sebring and Avon Park Battle for County Seat

When the Florida legislature formed Highlands County from DeSoto County in 1921, it kicked off a heated campaign to decide which town would become the capital city. In the early 1900s, south-central Florida was dominated by mega-county DeSoto County, itself having...