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Winter Haven, Florida

Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. It is located about 51 mi east of Tampa and about 47 mi southwest of Orlando, with neighboring Lakeland located to its west. The city's population was 49,219 at the 2020 census, making it the second most populated city in Polk County after Lakeland. It is a principal city of the Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Pre-history
The Timucua and the Calusa were the earliest known inhabitants of the Winter Haven area. Both of these groups were deeply affected by war and disease from the Spanish conquest of Florida in the early 1500s. The Timucua were particularly affected by the expedition of Hernando de Soto. By the 19th century, both these groups no longer existed. During these expeditions the Spanish explorers claimed the entire peninsula of Florida for the Spanish monarchy.

In the 19th century the Creek and the Seminole were known to live and hunt in this area. During the Seminole Wars the Seminole leader, Chipco, and his followers were known to live in the Winter Haven area. Several small skirmishes during the war were fought in and around Winter Haven.

19th century
In 1819, after the signing of the Adams-Onís Treaty, the United States gained control of Florida. The first American or European settlers in the area were encouraged to settle there by the Armed Occupation Act of 1842.

During the 1840s and 1850s, the United States government conducted the first surveys of the area. Henry Washington conducted the first survey of the area in 1843. In 1849, Dr. John Westcott completed an extensive survey of the area, including mapping many of the local lakes. The first maps of the area were published by the United States government in 1854. In 1883, Henry Haines working for Henry Plant and the Plant System, successfully built the first railroad across Polk County, passing just north of Winter Haven. Lake Haines, in Winter Haven, was named after Haines, who served as a colonel in the Confederate States Army.

The arrival of the railroad created the first real growth in area. The area was platted from 1884 to 1885, and would first be known as Harris Corners. This name was in reference to F.A.K. Harris, who opened the first mercantile store in the area around this time. The name Winter Haven was later suggested, in reference to the area's pleasant climate.

Early 20th century
By the end of the century, the population grew to approximately 400 and on June 22, 1911, the City of Winter Haven was officially incorporated as a town. The Chain of Lakes canals were begun in 1915. The first Florida boom took place in the 1920s as towns sprang up all over the peninsula. Florida's potential as a place to live and a place to visit was first realized in the 1920s, but the Great Depression slowed growth until after World War II. On November 27, 1923, Winter Haven was officially reincorporated from a town to a city. Winter Haven Hospital was founded in 1926 and has been in the city ever since.

During this period, the population of Winter Haven began to grow substantially. Many beautiful single-family homes were built in Winter Haven at this time in the colonial revival style. Over 50 these homes are on the National Register of Historic Places today. They are noted for their architectural style and grace. Most of these historic homes are located in the Interlaken neighborhood. There are four historic districts in Winter Haven. They are Interlaken, Pope Avenue, Winter Haven Heights, and the downtown area.

Growth and development
In 1930, George W. Jenkins opened the first Publix supermarket in Winter Haven. His second store and the first stand-alone Publix store, was a 27 ft by 65 ft building at 199 West Central Avenue, opened in 1935, which exists today as the Regenerations thrift store. During the 1930s and 1940s, citrus magnate, John A. Snively operated one of the largest fruit packing plants in the world in Winter Haven.

Another defining event in Winter Haven was the opening of Cypress Gardens in 1936 by Dick Pope Sr. and his wife, Julie Pope. They first got the idea for the park from a Good Housekeeping magazine that they were reading. By the 1950s, Cypress Gardens was nationally famous. It featured a beautiful botanical garden, water skiing shows, and a staff of southern belles. Many famous celebrities of that time visited the park, including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Betty Grable, and King Hussein of Jordan. In the 1980s, the Anheuser-Busch corporation purchased the park. They continued to operate the park until 1995. After that, the park struggled, finally closing for good in 2009. On January 21, 2010, the site of Cypress Gardens was formally announced as the selected location for the Legoland Florida theme park, which opened on October 15, 2011. Legoland Florida has successfully retained some of the tradition and history of the original site, including part of the original botanical garden and a water ski show.

Winter Haven features many buildings designed by the architect Gene Leedy, one of the founders of the Sarasota School of Architecture. Regency Medical Center, which is Winter Haven Hospital's women's hospital, was built in 1987. Some of Leedy's structures are part of the Downtown Winter Haven Historic District. The Orange Dome, located near the corner of Cypress Gardens Blvd and US Hwy 17, was built in 1964. For 48 years, it hosted the annual Citrus Festival and other civic affairs. In February 2012, the Orange Dome was demolished to make way for The Landings, a proposed $150 million mixed-use development that was intended to include high-end retail stores, restaurants, hotels, apartments and a new movie theater to be built at the Chain of Lakes Complex. However, after the construction of three fast food chain stores, the project collapsed. , the developer and the city were in negotiations to determine the future of the site.

Pughsville
Pughsville was a neighborhood of Winter Haven where African Americans built a community after the Civil War. A historical marker on Highway 17 at Avenue O commemorates the community. According to the marker, Pughsville was one of Winter Haven's earliest neighborhoods and was settled by African Americans who cleared the land in the southwest section of the city.

Pughsville was named for an early black pioneer, Reverend Charles Pugh, who was a founder of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Pughsville was also home to Bethel A.M.E., St. Paul Holiness, and Church of Christ. The community was most active from the 1900s until the 1950s and had an African-American school, social halls, small grocery stores, and restaurants where some residents worked. Others worked in the citrus industry or in state or federal jobs. Pughsville produced Winter Haven's first African-American commissioner and mayor Lemuel Geathers, medical doctor, fire fighter and postal worker. The community declined in the late 1970s as larger commercial establishments began arriving in the area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.4 sqmi, of which 17.7 sqmi is land and 7.7 sqmi (30.45%) is water. Winter Haven is located within the Central Florida Highlands area of the Atlantic coastal plain with a terrain consisting of flatland interspersed with gently rolling hills. It has an average elevation of 146 ft above sea-level. The city is located at the headwaters of the Peace River.

Lakes
Winter Haven has 50 lakes within its borders, including its famous Chain of Lakes. The lakes are by far the city's most distinctive feature. Winter Haven bills itself as "The Chain of Lakes City". The city has two prominent chains of lakes; the northern chain has nine lakes interconnected by a series of canals. The southern chain features sixteen lakes interconnected by a series of canals. The southern chain has several prominent lakes, including Lake Eloise, Lake Howard, and Lake Lulu. In 2011, after six years of construction and political infighting, Winter Haven opened a canal lock system connecting the two chains. Most of the lakes in Winter Haven formed in a similar fashion to sinkholes, through dissolving of the limestone ground. These types of lakes are called "solution lakes". The lakes in Winter Haven teem with life, including alligators, bald eagles, great blue herons, and more. The Winter Haven lakes are a world-renowned spot for bass fishing.

Climate
Winter Haven is located in the humid subtropical zone (Köppen climate classification: Cfa). The average temperature is 74.6 °F. The city averages 46.12 in of rain per year. The months of June, July, August, and September, which includes the height of the Atlantic hurricane season, are by far the rainiest time of the year. Those four months, which average 26.63 in of rain, account for more than half of the annual rainfall. Winters in Winter Haven are dry and sunny, with high temperatures of 72 - 76 F and lows of 51 - 55 F. Frost occur about once per year on average.

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 49,219 people, 15,423 households, and 10,260 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 33,874 people, 14,025 households, and 8,762 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of 2000, there were 11,833 households, out of which 21.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.4% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.81.

In 2000, in the city the population was spread out, with 20.9% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 27.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $31,884, and the median income for a family was $39,657. Males had a median income of $30,943 versus $21,812 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,383. About 10.5% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.2% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.

Sports
Three-time Olympic gold medal swimmer, Rowdy Gaines, and Olympic gold medal sprinter, Kenneth Brokenburr both grew up in Winter Haven. Four-time NBA all-star and Olympic gold medalist guard, Otis Birdsong, also grew up in Winter Haven. Welterweight boxing champion, Andre Berto, is another famous athlete who grew up in Winter Haven.

Winter Haven has many successful sports programs, both recreational and competitive, serving the youth in the community. Winter Haven High School has won several state and district championships in various sports, including Girls Varsity Basketball State Championship in 2005, 2007, 2016, and 2017.

With so many lakes, Winter Haven is a location for fresh water fishing. The two sports for which Winter Haven is best known are water skiing and baseball.

Water skiing history
Winter Haven has played a major role in the development and growth of water skiing as a sport. Dick Pope Sr. used water skiing as a way to promote his Cypress Gardens theme park starting in the 1930s, and water ski shows soon became a staple of entertainment at the park. He was also the first person to complete a jump on water skis, jumping over a wooden ramp in 1928, for a distance of 25 ft. He pioneered a number of other water skiing tricks, including the water ski human pyramid, as part of an effort to develop his shows at Cypress Gardens. His son, Dick Pope Jr. popularized barefoot water skiing, bringing early pioneers such as Don Thomson to Cypress gardens to develop novel acts such as tumble turns, backwards barefooting, front to back and beach starts to please the theme park crowds.

Winter Haven is connected to 10 members of the Water Ski Hall of Fame, more than any other city in the world. These include Dick Pope Sr., Dick Pope Jr., and Ricky McCormick. George A. "Banana George" Blair, who still holds several water ski world records, was first introduced to the sport while visiting Winter Haven in the 1950s. Winter Haven has many lakes, including its famous chain of lakes, that are perfect for water skiing. Today, several successful ski schools, for both water skiing and barefoot skiing, make their home there. Every day, all year round, water skiers can be seen practicing their sport on the lakes around town.

Spring training baseball
Winter Haven was a Major League Baseball Spring Training site for many years, first at Denison Field and later at Chain of Lakes Park. Great baseball players who played spring training baseball in Winter Haven included Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Johnny Bench, and Hank Aaron.

In 1928, the Philadelphia Phillies were the first Major League Baseball team to call Winter Haven their spring-home. The Phillies played at Denison Field, which featured a large, covered wooden grandstand. The Phillies played spring training games there until 1938. In 1940, the New York Giants did one season there. After baseball left Denison, the field was donated to the city for the benefit of youth athletics. The stadium was rebuilt in 1947 with a larger grandstand and in use today for college and high school football, soccer, track and field, and other events.

In 1966, the Boston Red Sox and spring training baseball returned to Winter Haven. The Red Sox played in the newly built Chain of Lakes Park, a state of the art facility at that time. For 26 years, the Red Sox called Winter Haven their spring-home. When the Red Sox left to Fort Myers, Florida in 1992, the city of Winter Haven sought a new Major League Baseball team. Later that year, Hurricane Andrew devastated Homestead, Florida, including the spring training facilities of the Cleveland Indians, and the Indians moved to Winter Haven. In 2008, after failed negotiations with the city to renovate Chain of Lakes Park, the Indians moved into a brand new stadium in Goodyear, Arizona after 16 springs at Chain of Lakes Park.

In December 2020, Winter Haven and Polk County agreed to demolish the stadium and replace it with baseball diamonds and general-purpose athletic fields.

Public and private schools
Public schools in Winter Haven are operated by Polk County Public Schools.

 * All Saints' Academy
 * Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School
 * Chain of Lakes Elementary School
 * Cypress Junction Montessori School
 * Denison Middle School
 * Eagle Lake Elementary School
 * Elbert Elementary School
 * Frank E. Brigham Academy Elementary School
 * Garden Grove Elementary School
 * Garner Elementary School
 * Grace Lutheran School
 * Inwood Elementary School
 * Jewett Academy Middle School
 * Jewett School of the Arts (K–8)
 * John A. Snively Elementary School
 * Lake Region High School
 * Lake Shipp Elementary School
 * Mark Wilcox Center
 * Oasis Christian Academy
 * Rachel's School for the Custodial Arts
 * St. Joseph Catholic School
 * St. Paul's Episcopal School
 * Wahneta Elementary School
 * Westwood Middle School
 * Winter Haven Christian School
 * Winter Haven High School

Colleges and universities

 * Polk State College (PSC)
 * Ridge Career Center

Notable people

 * Andre Berto, professional welterweight boxer
 * Otis Birdsong, professional basketball player
 * Kenny Brokenburr, Olympic gold medalist, sprinter
 * Marcus Capers, professional basketball player
 * Valerie Carter, singer
 * Rowdy Gaines, Olympic swimmer
 * Chase Johnsey, ballet dancer, Artistic Director of Ballet de Barcelona
 * George Kalogridis, President of Walt Disney World Resort
 * Gene Leedy, architect
 * Lobo, musician
 * Trey Mancini, baseball player and cancer survivor
 * Jake Owen, musician, singer and songwriter
 * Kathleen Parker, author and syndicated columnist
 * Larry Parrish, professional baseball player
 * Gram Parsons, musician
 * Dick Pope Sr., founder of Cypress Gardens
 * Dick Pope Jr., CEO of Cypress Gardens and member of the Water Ski Hall of Fame and Museum
 * John A. Snively, citrus magnate
 * Jim Stafford, entertainer
 * Max Strang, architect
 * Daryl L. Thompson, inventor
 * Don Thomson, water skier and navy pilot
 * Constance Weldon, tuba player and academic
 * Ryan Yarbrough, Tampa Bay Rays baseball pitcher
 * Maryly Van Leer, President of Polk Community College, women's rights activist

Media
Winter Haven is part of the Tampa/St. Pete television market, the 13th largest in the country and part of the local Lakeland/Winter Haven radio market, which is the 94th largest in the country.

Since 1911, the Winter Haven News Chief has served the community as the local newspaper. The News Chief also published the Polk County Shopper and ran the site polkonline.com. In 2008, News Chief was taken over by the Lakeland Ledger and operations were merged into that paper's Winter Haven branch.

Highways
Major routes through, to, and from Winter Haven include:
 * – A major north/south route through Winter Haven, this highway leads northward to Lake Alfred where it joins US 92, and southward to Bartow.
 * – This divided highway east of Winter Haven will be a key access road for Legoland Florida in its intersection with Interstate 4 to the north.
 * – This key road runs through southern Winter Haven as Cypress Gardens Boulevard, leading westward to Lakeland and the Polk Parkway, by Legoland Florida just east of town, and on eastward to US 27.
 * – It cuts through the heart of Winter Haven's downtown as Central Avenue, and leads eastward directly to Dundee at US 27.
 * – From northern Winter Haven, SR 544 connects westward to Auburndale, hence its name, Havendale Boulevard, and leads a scenic route eastward toward Haines City.

The streets of downtown Winter Haven are arranged in a grid plan. 1st Street (SR 549) is the north–south axis, with two sets of numbered streets running parallel – one to the east (e.g. 7th St. NE/SE), and one to the west (e.g. 6th St. NW/SW). Central Avenue (SR 542) is the west–east axis, with two sets of lettered avenues similarly running parallel on either side.

Public transit
Local commuter bus service is provided by Winter Haven Area Transit and the Citrus Connection.

Air transport
Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport and the adjacent Jack Browns Seaplane Base are located 3 mi northwest of the central business district.

Intercity rail
Winter Haven has an Amtrak train station served by the Silver Star and Silver Meteor.

Attractions

 * Legoland Florida

Healthcare

 * Winter Haven Hospital
 * Winter Haven Women's Hospital
 * Bond Clinic
 * Gessler Clinic

Sister city

 * 🇮🇹 Sambuca di Sicilia, Italy (1984), on the occasion of the Water Ski World Cup performed on the lago Arancio, in Sambuca di Sicilia, Italy. The two cities share an association with this sport.

title: Winter Haven, Florida


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Crescent City, Florida

Crescent City is a city in Putnam County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 Census, its population was 1,654, up from 1,577 at the 2010 census. The city is located on two lakes and is part of the Palatka, Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Crescent City was first settled by non-indigenous people in 1852, and was then known as "Old Oliver Plantation" until it was platted as "Crescent City" in 1876.

The City of Crescent City was officially incorporated as a municipality in 1883, and formally incorporated as a city two years later, in 1885.

A. Philip Randolph, the founder of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, was born in Crescent City in 1889. Randolph would become a prominent civil rights leader, especially during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. Randolph Street in Crescent City is named after this influential figure.

Crescent City has two listings on the National Register of Historic Places, Hubbard House and the Crescent City Historic District.

Eagle's Nest Grove in Crescent City is the oldest continuous organic citrus grove in Florida.

Geography
The approximate coordinates for the City of Crescent City is located in North Central Florida at 29.43619°N, -81.51383°W.

The city is located between two lakes, Crescent Lake lies to the east of the city, and Stella Lake is located to the west.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.1 sqmi, of which 1.8 sqmi is land and 0.3 sqmi (14.02%) is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Crescent City has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,654 people, 745 households, and 372 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,577 people, 751 households, and 463 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,776 people, 678 households, and 435 families residing in the city. The population density was 968.6 PD/sqmi. There were 846 housing units at an average density of 461.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 57.32% White, 34.46% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 5.74% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.53% of the population.

In 2000, there were 678 households, out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.12.

In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $22,500, and the median income for a family was $28,913. Males had a median income of $26,786 versus $15,887 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,767. About 24.5% of families and 27.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.2% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Crescent City is governed by a mayor and a five-member city council and is a council-manager government.

As of 2024, the mayor is Michele Myers, the vice mayor is H. Harry Banks, and the commission members are Cynthia Burton, Lisa Kane DeVitto, and William "B.J." Laurie.

As of 2024, the town manager is Charles Rudd, and the town clerk is Karen Hayes.

Education
The public school within the city limits is Crescent City High School.

Library
Crescent City Library is served by the Putnam County Library System.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Crescent City, Florida


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East Palatka, Florida

East Palatka is a census-designated place (CDP) in Putnam County, Florida, United States. It is located on the east side of the City of Palatka at the intersection of U.S. Route 17/State Road 20/State Road 100 and the southwestern terminus of State Road 207. The population was 1,573 at the 2020 census, down from 1,654 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Palatka, Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area.

East Palatka is home to the Palatka State Farmer's Market, as well as the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

Geography
East Palatka is located at 29.65002°N, -81.5994°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.5 sqmi, of which 3.2 sqmi is land and 1.3 sqmi (28.89%) is water. East Palatka is drained by the St. Johns River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,707 people, 521 households, and 365 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 532.3 PD/sqmi. There were 594 housing units at an average density of 185.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 59.64% White, 37.26% African American, 0.29% Native American, 1.00% Asian, 0.76% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.40% of the population.

There were 521 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 18.5% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 158.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 175.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $37,857, and the median income for a family was $46,071. Males had a median income of $31,507 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,478. About 12.6% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.4% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: East Palatka, Florida


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Interlachen, Florida

Interlachen is a town in Putnam County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Palatka, Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,441 at the 2020 census, up from 1,403 at the 2010 census.

History
When the Florida Southern Railway came through in the 1870s, the area opened up to settlers, and the area was known as "Blue Pond". The town developed economically as a winter vacation spot and citrus growing area. The Town of Interlachen was officially incorporated as a municipality in 1888. The Hastings Seed House was organized in 1889, moving to Atlanta, Georgia ten years later. In 1891, the Interlachen Town Hall burned down. Another was built to replace it the following year and it still stands—now housing a museum—and is also used as a place for presentations for certain festivals. When the Great Freeze hit in 1895, the town's tourism and citrus sharply declined. In 1895, Interlachen Academy was built; it is the oldest wooden school house in continuous use in Florida, which now serves as the location of the Interlachen High School's JROTC program.

The town was named after a resident named Mr. Berkelmann from Switzerland who originally lived in Interlachen before immigrating to Florida. He suggested the name not only because of his former hometown, but because the Florida town is located between the 2 largest lakes (Lake Lagonda and Lake Chipco) in its town limits (of the more than 28 lakes in the town), and "Interlachen", translates to "between the lakes".

In 1926, Interlachen first gained electricity and Route 14, now Florida State Road 20, was constructed through it. In the 1930s, a train came through the town every two hours. But in 1969, with the decline of railroads, the Interlachen Railroad depot was razed. Currently, a caboose sits in the middle of the town as a reminder of the tourist haven the town once was.

Geography
The approximate coordinates for the Town of Interlachen is located in North Central Florida at 29.62278°N, -81.89472°W (29.622709, –81.894680).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.4 sqmi, of which 5.8 sqmi is land and 0.6 sqmi (10.08%) is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the Town of Interlachen has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,441 people, 654 households, and 457 families residing in the town.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,403 people, 751 households, and 575 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,475 people, 537 households, and 381 families residing in the town. The population density was 254.1 PD/sqmi. There were 616 housing units at an average density of 106.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 78.44% White, 6.10% African American, 0.88% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 11.19% from other races, and 3.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.83% of the population.

In 2000, there were 537 households, out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.28.

In 2000, in the town, the population was spread out, with 30.9% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $25,962, and the median income for a family was $34,375. Males had a median income of $24,886 versus $17,841 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,920. About 26.9% of families and 27.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.9% of those under age 18 and 18.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education
All of Interlachen's public schools are served by Putnam County School Board.

 * Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. Elementary School (formerly known as Interlachen Elementary School until 2021)
 * Interlachen High School (merged with C.H. Price Middle School and reverted back to previous name of Interlachen Jr.-Sr. High School in 2021)

Library
Putnam County is served by the Putnam County Library System which has five branches, and the local one is Interlachen Library.

title: Interlachen, Florida


text:
Palatka, Florida

Palatka is a city in and the county seat of Putnam County, Florida, United States. Palatka is the principal city of the Palatka Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is home to 72,893 residents. As the Palatka micropolitan area is fewer than 40 miles south of Jacksonville, it is classified as part of the Jacksonville—Kingsland–Palatka, FL-GA Combined Statistical Area.

The city is home to St. Johns River State College, St. Johns River Water Management District Headquarters, and Ravine Gardens State Park. The area is well known for its local festivals, most notably the Florida Azalea Festival and the Blue Crab Festival. The population was 10,446 at the 2020 census, down from 10,558 at the 2010 census.

History
The area was once the domain of the Timucuan peoples, two tribes of which existed in the Palatka region under chiefs Saturiwa and Utina. They fished bass and mullet, or hunted deer, turkeys, bear and opossum. Others farmed beans, corn, melons, squash, and tobacco. However, infectious disease that came with European contact and war devastated the tribes, and they were extinct as organized peoples by the mid-18th century. Some of their survivors merged with other tribes; other Timucua evacuated with the Spanish to Cuba in 1763, when Spain ceded Florida to Great Britain in an exchange of interests after the latter's defeat of France in the Seven Years' War.

During the late eighteenth century, Creek (Muscogee) tribes made their way to Florida. In a process of ethnogenesis, they joined with other Native Americans and the Seminole tribe emerged. They called the location Pilo-taikita, meaning "crossing over" or "cows' crossing". Here the St. Johns River narrows and begins a shallower, winding course upstream to Lake George and Lake Monroe.

In 1767, Denys Rolle (1725–1797), an English gentleman and philanthropist, established Rollestown on the east bank of the St. Johns River, at the head of deepwater navigation. His 78,000 acre plantation was a commercial experiment. He recruited settlers off the streets of London to serve as indentured servant/workers: they included paupers, vagrants, pickpockets and "penitent prostitutes". He paid for their passage and if they survived the term of indenture, they could receive land. Some two hundred indentured servants arrived to clear wilderness for agriculture and livestock. Unaccustomed to such physical labor and a subtropical climate, however, most left.

Next Rolle purchased enslaved Africans taken captive in West Africa. He used them as workers to tend livestock, such as chickens, hogs, goats and sheep, or cultivate and process cotton, indigo, citrus and turpentine for export to Europe.

He built a mansion and laid out a village, but trouble beleaguered his "ideal society". In 1770, a disgruntled overseer sold more than 1,000 of his employer's cattle and disappeared with the money. Rolle hired new overseers and bought more slaves, but the plantation failed to prosper.

When Spain resumed control of Florida in 1783 for a period, Rolle abandoned the colony and chartered a ship to carry his household belongings, livestock and slaves to a 2,000 acre estate on Great Exuma in the Bahamas. This point of land, in East Palatka, is still called Rollestown.

With the changes by different European nations in Florida, there were changes in claims in Pilo-taikita, now contracted to Pilatka. In 1774, naturalist William Bartram noted an Indian village on the west bank, but it was later abandoned.

The current community of Palatka was traced by pioneers to a European-American settlement established here in 1821. After the United States acquired Florida in 1821, Nehemiah Brush established a ferry across the river. He bought a 1,200 acre tract in 1826 and another of equal size the next year. The ferry landing and related site became a distribution point. A New York company shipped goods from here to supply immigrants at the Grant of Arredondo, which lay to the west.

The arrival of land-hungry European-American settlers created confrontations with the resident Seminole. When the government attempted to relocate the tribe to the west of the Mississippi as part of Indian Removal starting in 1833, the Second Seminole War began. The Seminole attacked and burned Pilatka in 1835.

Recognizing the site's strategic importance for control of the St. Johns River, the main artery into Central Florida, the US Army in 1838 established Fort Shannon, named for Captain Samuel Shannon. It included a garrison, supply depot and hospital. By 1842 most of the Seminole had moved to Indian Territory, and Fort Shannon was abandoned by the army in 1843.

Settlers made use of the military piers and buildings, including eight blockhouses, to develop the town. By 1847, it was growing rapidly. In 1849, Putnam County was created, with Pilatka the county seat. With the help of Judge Isaac H. Bronson, it was incorporated as a city on January 8, 1853.

During the 1850s, Florida in general and Pilatka in particular gained a reputation as a seasonal haven for invalids and others escaping severe northern winters. Steamboats carried them up the St. John's River in increasing numbers. One visitor wrote that amusements included "sailing, fishing, rowing, walking, riding in buggies and on horseback, whist, euchre, backgammon and hunting".

The tourist trend was interrupted by the Civil War, when gunboats cruised the waters. Pilatka was destitute and largely deserted. On October 7, 1862, the USS Cimarron fired several shells over the town after seeing some Confederate cavalry. Mary Boyd pleaded with Union Commander Maxwell Woodhull to spare Pilatka, assuring him that the horse soldiers were not residents. He complied.

Among the notable residents of Pilatka during the war were Confederate spy Lola Sánchez and her sisters. Sánchez became upset when their father was falsely accused of being a Confederate spy and imprisoned by Union Army soldiers. Union officers took over their house in Palatka. On one occasion Sánchez overheard various officers’ planning a raid and alerted the Confederates forces.

Confederate forces, led by Capt. John Jackson Dickison, surprised and captured the Union troops on the day of the supposed raid in what is known as the Battle of Horse Landing.

Following the war, the tourists returned. New accommodations were constructed including the Putnam House, built by Hubbard L. Hart, and the Larkin House, which could hold 250 guests. Steamers ran up the Ocklawaha River to Eustis, Leesburg and Silver Springs, or along the St. Johns River to Enterprise and Sanford. Industries included logging, raising cattle and hogs, and orange groves. On May 24, 1875, the post office changed the spelling to Palatka.

By the 1880s, several competing railroads crossed the community, which became an important junction. These included the Florida Southern Railroad, the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railroad, the St. Augustine and Palatka Railway, and the Georgia Southern and Florida Railroad.

On November 7, 1884, Palatka suffered a devastating fire. When tourists arrived that season, most accommodations had been lost. They continued on trains south; this was the beginning of a gradual shift of tourism elsewhere. The city lost trade, shipping and transportation preeminence to Jacksonville, on the coast. But with its downtown rebuilt in brick to be fireproof, Palatka emerged a finer place.

In 1893, A. E. and H. S. Wilson of Saginaw, Michigan bought the Noah J. Tilghman & Son sawmill, which processed cypress lumber. Renamed the Wilson Cypress Company, it expanded operations and became a major employer. At its peak, it was the second-largest cypress mill in the world. It closed in 1944, as the timber industry moved out of the area.

The Great Freeze of 1894 and 1895 destroyed Palatka's citrus groves for five years. Formerly they had been both a tourist attraction and important sector of the economy. The ill-fated Cross Florida Barge Canal was once intended to pass the city. Today, tourism remains important.

Geography
Palatka is located at 29.63333°N, -81.65°W. The total area is 7.5 sqmi and has an average elevation of 16 ft above sea level. The city is located in the southern portion of the Lower St. Johns River basin.

Climate
Palatka has a humid subtropical climate, Köppen climate classification Cfa. The area's warm and humid climate is caused primarily by its proximity to the Gulf Stream, which flows off the east coast of Florida. There are two major seasons which characterize the area. One is hot and rainy, lasting from June until late September. The other is the dry season, October through May, which brings more moderate temperatures and less frequent rainfall.

Cityscape
As with many cities in the United States, development has occurred in a radial pattern from the city center to beyond the incorporated area. Due to the historical importance of Palatka as a southeastern interior port, much of the urban development is oriented toward the riverfront. The eastern sections of the city, which include downtown and the historic districts, are characterized by a gridded street system. A significant amount of the original brick roads survive in this area. The western outlying suburban areas are primarily characterized by an amorphous road pattern.

The city of Palatka is actively working toward redevelopment of its riverfront and downtown area. The rise of the automobile, and the inevitable shift to a big-box economic format, has taken its toll on the once thriving regional center. Like many other American cities, Palatka's downtown has had to repurpose itself to cope with an auto-centric society.

Architecture

Several architectural styles are represented within the city. Victorian, Colonial Revival, Art Deco, Classical Revival, and Prairie School are all prominent building styles in the historical districts. One of the most notable buildings is the old James Hotel at 300 St. Johns Avenue. The hotel was constructed by Dr. George E Welch, president of the now defunct Putnam National Bank. Designed by architect Henry John Klutho in 1916, this building is a prime example of the Prairie School style. Klutho also designed the Larimer Memorial Library, named after the wife of James Ross Mellon, eldest son of Judge Thomas Mellon. The library is a fusion of Prairie School and Art Deco. Today, the building is home to the Art Council of Greater Palatka and houses local art galleries. The Larimer was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2008.

Though there are no discernible architectural styles in the outgrowth areas, a notable building technique has been used in the construction of the 23000 sqft Children's Reading Center Charter School. Five monolithic dome structures crown the facility and give it a distinct style.

Neighborhoods
 Parks and Gardens
 * Downtown
 * North Historic District
 * South Historic District
 * Palatka Heights
 * Newtown
 * East Palatka
 * James C. Godwin Riverfront Park
 * Hank Bryan Park
 * Ravine Gardens State Park
 * Veteran's Memorial Park

Museums in Palatka

 * Bronson Mulholland House
 * St Johns River Center
 * Putnam Historic Museum
 * Mariners Museum Inc.

Library
With up to sixteen hundred people employed by the mills of the Wilson Cypress Company in its heyday, the town of Palatka was in need of a space to further the education of its young working men. Although some library supporters, such as Betty P. Welch, wrote letters to library sympathizers such as Andrew Carnegie in search of funding, the funds for the first Palatka Public Library were provided by James Ross Mellon, the son of the famous Judge Thomas Mellon of Pittsburgh, who regularly wintered in Florida. Founded in 1930, the Larimer Library was gifted in commemoration of James Mellon's wife, Rachel Larimer, and was revered as a “poor man’s university” and “the rock on which to build an enlightened citizenry.” Today the Larimer Memorial Library contains an arts center, and the Palatka Public Library was moved to the campus of the St. Johns River Community College.

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,446 people, 4,419 households, and 2,088 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 10,558 people, 4,113 households, and 2,466 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there are 10,033 people, 3,880 households, and 2,421 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,442.1 PD/sqmi. There were 4,318 housing units at an average density of 620.7 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 48.93% White, 48.43% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.83% of the population.

In 2000, there were 3,880 households, out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.0% were married couples living together, 24.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% are other types of families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.10.

In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 28.6% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.8 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $18,129, and the median income for a family was $26,076. Males had a median income of $27,716 versus $19,187 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,351. About 27.9% of families and 33.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.0% of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Palatka uses the commission-manager form of municipal government, with all governmental powers resting in a legislative body called a commission. Palatka's commission is composed of five elected commissioners, one being the mayor/commissioner. The mayor and commissioners serve four year terms. The offices are non-partisan; no candidate is allowed to declare a party affiliation. The role of the commission is to set policy, pass ordinances and resolutions, adopt regulations, and appoint city officials, including the city manager. While the mayor serves as a presiding officer of the commission, the city manager is the administrative head of the municipal government, and is responsible for the administration of all departments. The city commission holds its regular meetings semi-monthly on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the Month.

Health care
Local health care is provided by the HCA Florida Putnam Hospital. The 99-bed acute care facility offers a medical and surgical units, 24-hour emergency department, critical care unit, skilled nursing unit, and progressive care unit. Other services include a diagnostic imaging department and an outpatient rehabilitation facility. Located in Palatka, the medical center services all of Putnam County. The local health department is located at 2801 Kennedy Street in Palatka.

Education
The main center for higher education in the city is St. Johns River State College. In 1958, the institute opened its doors in Palatka to 191 students. Today the school serves Putnam, Clay, and St. Johns Counties and boasts approximately 10,000 students. The Palatka campus serves as the administrative center, it also houses the Florida School of the Arts and the local St. Leo University branch. Public primary and secondary education is operated by Putnam County Public Schools, officially known as the Putnam County School District (PCSD). According to 2007 enrollment numbers, the district is home to 12,101 students. Palatka has one public traditional high school. Palatka High School was formed in 1977 after the merger of Palatka Central High School and Palatka South High School. The Putnam County Library System serves Putnam County, Florida with five locations. The Palatka Library location operates as the systems headquarters.

Transportation
Transportation has been key in the development of Palatka since the day of its inception. Steamboats were the main economic driving force in the city's early years. The river is no longer a primary means of passenger transportation, but remains of strategic importance in the movement of goods and services. Today, airports, railroads, and highways make up the main infrastructure of passenger travel. Palatka's own transportation infrastructure remains important as it is centrally located between large population centers in Jacksonville, a large educational institute in Gainesville, and tourist hubs in St. Augustine and Orlando.

 * Highways
 * US 17.svg US 17 – Primary north–south route running parallel with the St. Johns River. This route connects Palatka to Jacksonville (northbound) and Orlando (southbound).
 * Florida 15.svg SR 15 – From Jacksonville to Orlando US 17 and SR 15 are the same route.
 * Florida 19.svg SR 19 – Terminating into US 17, SR 19 extends into the cities major commercial corridor. The route extends further into the Ocala National Forest and becomes the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway.
 * Florida 20.svg SR 20 – Primary route connecting Gainesville and Palatka.
 * Florida 100.svg SR 100 – Route connecting Keystone Heights, Palatka, and Bunnell
 * Florida 207.svg SR 207 – Primary route connecting East Palatka and St. Augustine

The bundled US 17, SR 20 and SR 100 cross the Memorial Bridge over the St. Johns River toward East Palatka.

Bus transportation in the city is provided by Ride Solution. The agency is responsible for public transit throughout all of Putnam County, Florida. Established in 1986 as ARC Transit, the original paratransit services have expanded to include regular bus services, express bus services, and vanpools. Recently, bus design and manufacturing has become a way Ride Solution is helping improve community transportation. The Brevi Bus was created to handle the rugged terrain and unpaved roads of rural Putnam County. The Bus was designed locally by Ride Solution and is expected to improve access by 30 percent.
 * Mass transit

Amtrak serves Palatka by the daily Silver Meteor and Silver Star intercity rail services. The Palatka Amtrak station is a historic Atlantic Coast Line Railroad depot located at 220 North Eleventh Street. The station was added in 1988 to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
 * Intercity transit

Palatka Municipal Airport is a public-use, general aviation airport located 2 mi northwest of Downtown Palatka. The nearest international airport is Jacksonville International Airport, approximatively 68 mi north of Palatka. The closest major international airport is Orlando International Airport.

Economy
The composition of the Palatka area economy is unreflective of Florida as a whole. Unlike many cities in the state, Palatka has a large manufacturing sector, employing 17.2% of the city's total civilian workforce. Comparatively, Florida's statistics indicate 5.9% of the state's entire workforce is employed by the manufacturing sector. Georgia Pacific is the single largest private employer in the city. The Koch-owned firm employs 1,470 people at its pulp, paper, and plywood operations. PDM Bridge is another large manufacturing company operating in Palatka. Their facility is located in Barge Port on the St. Johns River. The Eau Claire, Wisconsin-based bridge builder utilizes the river for the transportation of its finished products. PDM Bridge is notable for the fabrication of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge structure.

The Palatka area was of early significance in accessing the interior of the state. This significance was due to its location at the end of an expansive portion of waterway at the divide between the upper and lower St. Johns River. First established as a trading outpost, tourism would eventually boom and fuel growth for decades. The decline of waterborne travel in Northeast Florida, and the United States in general, ultimately reduced the importance of tourism in the city. Nowadays, large international airports and bypassing interstate highways carry vacationers to destinations further south. Only 7.1% of Palatka's labor force works in arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services, compared to Florida's 15.5% across tourist related industries.

In recent years, the Putnam County government has adopted policies focused on facilitating Ecotourism in the region. Nature trails are being expanded and kayaking waterways have been improved and mapped. Portions of the Florida Trail runs through the area and connect local hiking trails to other trail systems in parks throughout the region. Ocala National Forest is the second largest National Forest in the state. Other large parks include Welaka State Forest, Etoniah Creek State Forest and Dunns Creek State Park. Other conservation areas exist under the management of the Putnam Land Conservancy and St. Johns River Water Management District. Both entities operate regionally and identify and protect ecologically sensitive areas. If progress continues, and ecotourism creates a vibrant local economy, economic incentives could drive further preservation of the natural habitats, benefitting the environment as a whole.

Of residents aged 16 years and over, 53.3% were in the labor force; 45.6% were employed and 7.6% unemployed. Compared to Florida's average, Palatka has a higher percentage of unemployed. Of the same survey, the State's unemployment was 4.6% of the available labor force. The current Florida unemployment rate, published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, stands at 7.0%. The Palatka area is bordered on all sides by four separate metropolitan statistical areas. Of those, the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Gainesville, and Jacksonville metropolitan statistical areas all had better performing unemployment statistics than Palatka in 2011, when the unemployment rate in the Palatka Micropolitan Statistical Area was 13.8%. Gainesville showed the most favorable conditions with an unemployment rate of 8.7%. Statistics for Palm Coast and Ocala both indicated unemployment rates higher than that of Palatka. Regionally, the employment numbers of Palm Coast have been hit hardest; the bedroom community has an unemployment rate currently at 16.6%.

Sites of interest
The following entries are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
 * Old Atlantic Coast Line Union Depot, home of the Palatka Railroad Preservation Society
 * Bronson-Mulholland House (1854), home of the Putnam County Historical Society & Museum
 * Central Academy, Florida's first accredited African-American high school
 * Larimer Memorial Library
 * Palatka North Historic District
 * Palatka South Historic District
 * Ravine Gardens State Park
 * St. Mark's Episcopal Church

Sister cities
Palatka has one sister city.
 * Palatka, Russia (1991)

title: Palatka, Florida


text:
Pomona Park, Florida

Pomona Park is a town in Putnam County, Florida, United States. The Town of Pomona Park is part of the Palatka, Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 784 at the 2020 census, down from 912 at the 2010 census.

Geography
The approximate coordinates for the Town of Pomona Park is located at 29.49611°N, -81.60028°W (29.496066, –81.600379).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.3 sqmi, of which 2.9 sqmi is land and 0.4 sqmi (12.01%) is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the Town of Pomona Park has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 784 people, 407 households, and 232 families residing in the town.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 912 people, 393 households, and 231 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 789 people, 349 households, and 204 families residing in the town. The population density was 269.3 PD/sqmi. There were 433 housing units at an average density of 147.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 86.19% White, 10.90% African American, 0.51% Native American, 1.77% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.93% of the population.

In 2000, there were 349 households, out of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.5% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.81.

In 2000, in the town, the population was spread out, with 20.0% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $25,536, and the median income for a family was $32,750. Males had a median income of $25,568 versus $15,469 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,319. About 16.1% of families and 25.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.3% of those under age 18 and 19.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Pomona Park, Florida


text:
Welaka, Florida

Welaka is a town situated on the St. Johns River in Putnam County, Florida, United States. The town is part of the Palatka, Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 714 as of the 2020 census, up from 701 at the 2010 census.

History
It is not known when the area was first settled, but the nearby Mount Royal archaeological site is a possible remnant of a Timucua tribal village from c. 1250 CE to 1500 CE, and may have a connection to the town of Enacape, an important center of the Utina tribe.

The settlement was originally a 500-acre tract purchased by James William Bryant in 1852, and was known as Mt. Tucker. Prior to the war, there were large orange groves and cotton plantations. In 1860, Welaka's population was slightly over 100. At the end of the Civil War, fewer than 20 remained. The community grew again, and was officially incorporated on April 23, 1887, and was named the "Town of Welaka"; the name Welaka is said to have been derived from the word local Native Americans used for the St. Johns River. By the 1880s, Welaka had become a resort town, marketing itself to visitors seeking medicinal cures from the mineral water of the local springs. The Welaka Mineral Water Company was incorporated in 1907.

Geography
Welaka is approximately 90 miles south of Jacksonville and is accessible by highway or the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Johns River. The exact coordinates for the town is located at 29.48167°N, -81.67167°W (29.481556, –81.671555).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.4 sqmi, of which 1.4 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (2.86%) is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the Town of Welaka has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 714 people, 501 households, and 160 families residing in the town.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 701 people, 227 households, and 149 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 586 people, 276 households, and 173 families residing in the town. The population density was 431.4 PD/sqmi. There were 368 housing units at an average density of 270.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 67.06% White, 28.84% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 2.22% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.41% of the population.

In 2000, there were 276 households, out of which 16.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.63.

In 2000, in the town, the population was spread out, with 17.2% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 19.6% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 27.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $25,069, and the median income for a family was $30,938. Males had a median income of $29,583 versus $20,938 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,495. About 15.8% of families and 25.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.2% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

Politics
Welaka has a strong mayor–council government where two council members are elected in even-number years, and the mayor and two town council members are elected in odd-numbered years.

The current mayor is Jamie D. Watts, who assumed office on March 5, 2021, as the 37th Mayor of the Town of Welaka.

Jamie Watts is an American author, politician, and small business owner. Before serving as mayor, Jamie served on the Welaka Town Council from March 2008 through March 2021, when he was elected mayor of the town.

His responsibilities as Strong Mayor include acting as the Town Manager, Utility Director, Finance Director, and Police Commissioner. He also oversees the Building Department, Codes and Zoning, and Public Works. He was re-elected unopposed for a second term as Mayor on January 20, 2023.

Points of interest

 * Welaka National Fish Hatchery
 * Mount Royal
 * Welaka State Forest

title: Welaka, Florida


text:
Bagdad, Florida

Bagdad is a census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,467 at the 2020 census, up from 3,761 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Bagdad had its start in 1840, when a settler established a sawmill there. A post office called Bagdad has been in operation since 1887.

Geography
Bagdad is located at 30.59583°N, -87.03556°W (30.595790, -87.035622).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.2 sqmi, of which 3.5 sqmi is land and 0.7 sqmi (16.98%) is water.

The area was hard hit by Hurricane Dennis in 2005.

Demographics
As of the 2000 census there were 1,490 people, 587 households, and 406 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 423.3 PD/sqmi. There were 659 housing units at an average density of 187.2 /mi2. The racial makeup of the CDP was 80.00% White, 13.62% African American, 1.21% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 4.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race made up 1.88% of the population.

There were 587 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50, and the average family size was 2.93.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $32,313, and the median income for a family was $46,786. Males had a median income of $30,104 versus $22,604 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $15,980. About 13.5% of families and 22.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.7% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Bubba Watson, professional golfer, winner of the Masters Tournament in 2012 and 2014.

title: Bagdad, Florida


text:
Gulf Breeze, Florida

Gulf Breeze is a city in Santa Rosa County, Florida. It is a suburb of Pensacola, and is in the Pensacola—Ferry Pass—Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 6,340 at the 2020 census, up from 5,763 at the 2010 census.

Gulf Breeze is located just north of Pensacola Beach, and south of Pensacola. Gulf Breeze is on the Fairpoint Peninsula, and is bordered by Navarre to the east.

Gulf Breeze provides utility services to South Santa Rosa County and Pensacola Beach over 33 square miles. The surrounding unincorporated area is known as Greater Gulf Breeze.

History
The area now known as Gulf Breeze was originally settled in the mid-18th Century by the British. Gulf Breeze's original name was Town Point. Live Oaks from the Gulf Breeze area were used for shipbuilding and blacksmiths set up ship repair shops in the town. A Confederate camp and hospital was set up in the Deer Point area of Gulf Breeze during the Civil War.

In the late 1800s, a dry dock for ship repair was built on Deadman's Island (now a nature preserve). The island was originally was a major ship quarantine area used by Pensacola. Deadman's island got its name from Deadman anchors. Deadman's Island later was host to a glue factory and fertilizer plant.

The five year period between 1928 and 1933 saw large road development in Gulf Breeze. The first bridge between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze was built by Johnson, Drake & Piper. Gulf Breeze's first paved road was U.S. Highway 98, completed in 1933. A wooden swing bridge was established between Pensacola Beach and Gulf Breeze in 1931. The swing bridge was replaced by a concrete toll bridge in 1946, which was converted into Bob Sikes fishing pier in 1973.

The name Gulf Breeze comes from the Gulf Breeze Cottages and Store, where the area's first post office was established in 1936. The city was incorporated on August 10, 1961 as a result of the expansion of Pensacola Bay Bridge. Gulf Breeze became famous after the 1987 Gulf Breeze UFO Incident.

Geography
The city has a total area of 23.56 sqmi, of which 4.68 sqmi is land and 18.88 sqmi is water.

Growth of the city itself is geographically restricted, surrounded by major water bodies on three sides; the eastern portion of Gulf Breeze is occupied by the Naval Live Oaks Reservation. As a result, new growth takes place east of the city limits along U.S. Highway 98.

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,302 people, 2,983 households, and 1,809 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 5,763 people, 2,185 households, and 1,758 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,665 people, 2,377 households, and 1,678 families living in the city. The population density was 1,192.0 PD/sqmi. There were 2,553 housing units at an average density of 537.2 /mi2.

In 2000, there were 2,377 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.83.

In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.6 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $52,522, and the median income for a family was $61,661. Males had a median income of $44,408 versus $28,159 for females. The per capita income for the city was $34,688. About 3.8% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 1.2% of those age 65 or over.

Points of interest

In 1828 the U.S. government purchased the land encompassing the Naval Live Oaks Reservation for experimenting with acorns for the cultivation of live oaks to produce wooden ships. Before the Civil War, the wood of the live oak was the primary material of choice for shipbuilders, thus the protection and cultivation of the trees for the United States Navy was considered vital for defense in those turbulent times. Currently, the land comprises over 1300 acres in Gulf Islands National Seashore and is supervised by the National Park Service. To the south of Highway 98 is a visitor's center for the Gulf Islands National Seashore and several public beach areas.

Gulf Breeze Library
The Gulf Breeze Library, opened in 1971, is part of the Santa Rosa County Library System.

Education

 * Gulf Breeze High School
 * Gulf Breeze Middle School
 * Gulf Breeze Elementary School

Infrastructure
Gulf Breeze is served by route 61 of Escambia County Area Transit.

Notable people

 * Bob Armstrong (1939–2020), professional wrestler (longtime resident)
 * Doug Baldwin (born 1988), American football player
 * Ashley Brown (born 1982), singer and actress
 * Ben Lively (born 1992), baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds
 * Jason McKie (born 1980), American football player
 * Frank Spellman (1922–2017), Olympic champion weightlifter
 * Abigail Spencer (born 1981), actress; born and raised in Gulf Breeze
 * Adrian Street (born 1940), professional wrestler (longtime resident)

title: Gulf Breeze, Florida


text:
Jay, Florida

Jay is a town in Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States. Located in the Florida Panhandle in North Florida, it is part of the Pensacola––Ferry Pass–Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 524 at the 2020 census, down from 533 at the 2010 census.

History
In 1821, Spain formally yielded possession of Florida to the United States and it became a territory in 1822. Santa Rosa County was created in 1842, three years before Florida became a state in 1845. Jay was known in the early 1800s as "Pine Level" and sometimes was called the "Cobb Old Field". It is located about 38 miles north of Pensacola and 27 miles north of Milton, Florida, and about 3 miles from the Escambia County, Alabama, state line.

Jay is served by two main state highways: State Road 4, running east and west, and State Road 89, running north and south. The town and surrounding communities are about one hundred sixty-five feet above sea level.

There is no railroad or bus service available in Jay, Florida.

The Jernigan family were among some of the earliest pioneers in the "Pine Level" area of Santa Rosa County. Among them were such settlers as Van Jernigan, who arrived when Florida was still a territory. His homestead near the headbank at the southern bend of Cobb Creek was located on the eastern side of Milton-Pollard Road. As with many residents of the area, Jernigan's occupation was in the timber and logging industry. He also owned one of the area's largest range cattle herds, descendants of which continued to roam on the open range even many years after his death. Jerningan's estate sold them sometime in the 1890s.

Eldridge Jernigan was another member of the Jernigan family who was an early settler in the area. He later moved to the nearby community of Mount Carmel.

In 1902, a committee was formed to select a name for the thriving farming community. James Thomas Nowling submitted the name "Pine Level" but it was declined due to a Florida post office already using it. Nowling was asked to submit a second name and was turned down again due to the name being too long. He was asked to submit yet another name but the Postal Department named the new post office after Nowling before he was able to submit another name and Nowling became the first postmaster of Jay.

In 1922, at least 175 African-American residents of Jay left in a mass exodus after a fight between a black and a white farmer, leaving a legacy of Jay being known as a sundown town. In a 1974 Tampa Bay Times article, the then-mayor of Jay, J.D. Bray said: "The sun doesn't set on a colored man in Jay, ... Come 4 o'clock, they're gone. They were run out of here back in the days of the turpentine still. And they know better than to come in here.". According to the 2020 census, the town has only four African-American residents.

Jay was officially incorporated as a town in 1951. A small group of farmers began a livestock market there in 1940, with sales reaching $1 million within 10 years, but the market closed near the turn of the century. Oil was discovered here in 1970. The Jay oilfield has approximately 67 oil wells - eleven within the town limits. Royalties from the oil have exceeded $400 million that funded a new city hall, fire department and recreation complex.

Geography
The exact coordinates for the Town of Jay are 30.95111°N, -87.15194°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.6 sqmi, all land. The town lies on high ground on the east bank of the Escambia River.

There are two river access points/boat ramps, both outside the city limits.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the Town of Jay has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 524 people, 217 households, and 142 families residing in the town.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 533 people, 289 households, and 203 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 553 people, 230 households, and 147 families residing in the town. The population density was 365.8 PD/sqmi. There were 278 housing units at an average density of 175.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.58% White, 0.35% African American, 1.21% Native American, 0.17% Asian, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.90% of the population.

In 2000, there were 230 households, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.07.

In 2000, in the town, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $23,500, and the median income for a family was $40,250. Males had a median income of $26,719 versus $21,500 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,949. About 13.8% of families and 16.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.9% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.

Industry
Jay is a farming community, with cotton, soybeans, peanuts and hay being major crops. Jay is also the site of the giant Jay oil field, which has produced over 330 million barrels since its discovery in 1970, but is now toward the end of its producing life. A small refinery is located off State Road 4. The refinery has had several owners since the 1970s—Exxon sold the refinery to Quantum Resources Management LLC March 2004. In January 2009, Quantum announced that they were ceasing production at the facility due to poor economics, and has terminated roughly half of the plant employees. Quantum resumed production shortly thereafter when oil prices increased.

Recreation
Jay is home to the Jay Peanut Festival, held each Autumn, and also hosts several local rodeo events. The nearby Escambia River provides fishing opportunities, and both the Escambia River WMA and the Blackwater State Forest provide public, licensed hunting.

Services
Jay has a combined elementary and middle school (grades K–6), and a combined middle-high school (grades 7–12). There are several banks and credit unions. There is one grocery store and one traffic light. The nearest Walmart stores are in Brewton, Alabama or Pace, Florida. There are several private airstrips, and the nearest commercial-service passenger airport is the Pensacola International Airport (approximately 40 miles SSW).

Jay Hospital is a 55-bed general hospital located in northern Santa Rosa County serving the residents of Jay and the surrounding areas of Century, Flomaton and beyond in the northwest Florida-south Alabama region.

Notable people

 * Brian Girard James, professional wrestler also known as "The Road Dogg" Jesse James
 * Jackie Moore, Major League Baseball Manager, coach and player. Managed the Oakland Athletics 1984–1986
 * Thomas Brent "Boo" Weekley, golfer
 * John Robert "Bob" Zellner, American civil rights activist, subject of the 2020 biographical drama Son of the South.

title: Jay, Florida


text:
Milton, Florida

Milton is a city and the county seat of Santa Rosa County, Florida. It is located within the Pensacola—Ferry Pass—Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. Milton is located in the geographic center of Santa Rosa County, and it is bordered by Pace to the west and Navarre to the south. As of 2020, the population of the city of Milton was 10,197, up from 8,826 at the 2010 census.

The town was incorporated in 1844 and is home to Naval Air Station Whiting Field.

Etymology
Milton was known by various names during its development. Most notable were "Hell-Town" (muggy, inhospitable land covered with briars, mosquitoes, thorns, snakes) "Jernigan's Landing", "Scratch Ankle" (due to the briars that grew along the riverbank), and "Hard Scrabble."

According to Florida historian Allen Morris, "Just which Milton was honored by the final name is a dispute. Some say it is a contraction of an earlier Milltown; others that it was Milton Amos, pioneer and ancestor of the present Amos family; still others that it was John Milton—not the English poet, but the Civil War governor of Florida."

History
Milton was settled in the early 1800s as a small village centered on the lumber industry. The settlement originally was known as Scratch Ankle because of the briars and bramble that grew in the area. Another name was Jernigan's Landing after Benjamin Jernigan (died April 1847), who built a water-powered saw mill at what is now Locklin Lake between 1828 and 1830. Other names were Lumberton, Black Water, and Hard Scrabble, but by 1839, it was being referred to as Milltown. Milton was the county seat of Milton was incorporated as a town in 1844, one year before the Territory of Florida joined the United States as the 27th state.

During the Civil War, much of Milton was burned by Confederate forces retreating from the Union capture of Pensacola on May 2–4 of 1862. The Confederates intended to prevent the town's industries from falling into Union hands. After the Southern forces evacuated, the Union troops had a small garrison in nearby Bagdad, where they had a base for expeditions in the surrounding area. Many Milton residents fled to Alabama.

In the early days of Milton, it was known as an extremely rough town. Judges from Escambia County sentenced criminals to be confined to Milton, which was nicknamed "Hell Town" by its residents. An old story from the area tells of the Rough Riders passing through Milton on their "best behavior."

Naval Air Station Whiting Field was constructed during World War II with the help of many German prisoners of war who were housed in a camp on the site. The station was commissioned on July 16, 1943, by Rear Admiral George D. Murray and the widow of Captain Kenneth Whiting, after whom the station was named.

The first hospital care in Milton began in 1951, when a group of locals formed the Santa Rosa County Hospital Board. The first hospital in Milton, Santa Rosa Hospital, was located on Stewart Street and opened on December 2, 1952. Santa Rosa Hospital had multiple expansions in the 1960s, and by 1970, the hospital was far too small for Milton's growing population. Construction for a new hospital began that year, and in December 1972, the Santa Rosa Medical Center was opened.

On March 31, 1962, an F3 tornado hit the northwest side of Milton, causing 17 deaths and 100 injuries. It was Florida's deadliest tornado until February 22, 1998, when 25 people were killed in Kissimmee by another F3 tornado. It was also the deadliest tornado in 1962.

Geography
Milton is located at 30.58233°N, -87.0867°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.6 sqmi, of which 4.4 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi (4.59%) is water.

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,197 people, 4,161 households, and 2,239 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 8,826 people, 3,465 households, and 2,252 families residing in the city.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 7,045 people, 2,674 households and 1,831 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,611.1 PD/sqmi. There were 3,151 housing units at an average density of 720.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 67.84% White, 25.95% African American, 0.71% Native American, 1.73% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 2.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of the population.

In 2000, there were 2,674 households, of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female homeowner, and 31.5% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.04.

In 2000, 27.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.

In 2000, the median household income was $37,629, and the median family income was $44,261. Males had a median income of $35,000 versus $28,337 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,367. About 11% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

City information
Santa Rosa Medical Center (SRMC) is a 129-bed general hospital in Milton. SRMC is the primary provider of hospital-based healthcare services and emergency medicine in Santa Rosa County.

Milton is the home of the West Florida Railroad Museum, Blackwater-Heritage-State-Trail and the historic Imogene Theater, owned and operated by the Santa Rosa Historical Society.

'Today, Milton is known as the Canoe Capital of Florida.'

Notable people

 * Randy Allen, professional basketball player, played shooting guard for Sacramento Kings
 * Dan Amos, cofounder of Aflac
 * Martha Beck, serial killer
 * Mark Everett, professional sprinter, 1997 world indoor champion; born in Milton and graduated from Milton High School in 1986
 * Greg Evers, Florida legislator and farmer
 * Daniel Ewing, professional basketball player, NBA and Maccabi Ashdod of Israeli Premier League
 * Cortland Finnegan, NFL cornerback for Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers; graduated from Milton High School in 2002
 * Dayton Hobbs, founder and pastor of independent Bible church in Milton, putative creator of tee-ball
 * Bolley Johnson, member of Florida House of Representatives 1978–1994, speaker 1992–1994
 * Reggie Slack, quarterback of NFL and Canadian Football League; graduated from Milton High School in 1986
 * Heath Slocum, professional golfer on PGA Tour; graduated from Milton High School in 1992
 * Kevin Stitt, governor of Oklahoma; Tulsa-based businessman
 * Lawrence Tynes, NFL placekicker for Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers; graduated from Milton High School in 1996
 * Casper Van Dien, actor, star of films such as Starship Troopers and Sleepy Hollow; born in Milton
 * Rod Walker, NFL defensive tackle for 3 years with the Green Bay Packers; born in Milton and graduated from Milton High School
 * Bubba Watson, professional golfer on PGA Tour, two time Masters champion; graduated from Milton High School in 1997
 * Boo Weekley, professional golfer on PGA Tour; born in Milton and graduated from Milton High School in 1992
 * Elijah Williams, NFL cornerback for Atlanta Falcons; born in Milton and graduated from Milton High School in 1993
 * Thomas F. West, Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court; born and raised in Milton

title: Milton, Florida


text:
Pace, Florida

Pace is an unincorporated community in Santa Rosa County, Florida. It is the second largest community in Santa Rosa County, and is a part of the Pensacola—Ferry Pass—Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. Pace has experienced exponential growth, and has evolved from a small, rural community to a thriving bedroom community of Pensacola with growing residential and commercial options. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 24,684, up from 20,093 at the 2010 census. From 2000 to 2010, the Pace CDP population growth percentage was 171.1%, and from 2010 to 2020, the population growth percentage was 22.8%.

Geography
Pace is located in the Western Florida Panhandle, just north of Escambia Bay in Santa Rosa County. Pace comprises the 32571 ZIP code, and is located northeast of Pensacola, and west of Milton. Pace is located approximately 25 minutes driving distance away from Downtown Pensacola. According to the United States Census Bureau, Pace has a total area of 9.4 sqmi, all land.

History
Pace was first recognized in the 1912 United States Census. It was located just north of the Floridatown. Pace is named after James G. Pace, who owned large lumber, paper and turpentine productions that operated in the Pace area. On March 12, 1919, Black veteran Bud Johnson was lynched as part of the Red Summer of 1919. Throughout the 20th century, Pace remained a small, rural community. However, beginning in 1980, Pace began to experience rapid growth and began to evolve from a small, rural community to a fast-growing bedroom community of Pensacola. Floridatown and Pea Ridge are now considered to be neighborhoods within Pace. Pace continues to experience strong population growth, and the growth trend is expected to continue despite remaining an unincorporated community.

Education
Schools in Pace are administered by the Santa Rosa County School District. Schools in the Pace area perform well, with all schools receiving an A or B rating according to the Florida Department of Education.

High schools

 * Pace High School
 * Lead Academy * Private Christian School

Middle schools

 * Avalon Middle School
 * Thomas L. Sims Middle School
 * Lead Academy * Private Christian School
 * Wallace K-8 School

Elementary schools

 * Bennett C. Russell Elementary School
 * Pea Ridge Elementary School
 * S.S. Dixon Primary School
 * S.S. Dixon Intermediate School
 * Lead Academy * Private Christian School
 * Wallace K-8 School

Demographics
Based on the 2020 census there were 24,684 people, and 8,152 households in the CDP. The population density was 1,018.74 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.70% White, 3.90% African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.10% Asian, and 4.8% from two or more races. The average household size was 2.8.

The age distribution was 6.5% under the age of 5, 24% under the age of 18, and 16.3% who were 65 or older. Females made up 50.3% of the population, whereas males made up 49.7%.

The median household income (in 2019 dollars), from 2015 to 2019 was $70,292. 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line.

title: Pace, Florida


text:
Bee Ridge, Florida

Bee Ridge is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 9,955 at the 2020 census, up from 9,598 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 10.1 km2, of which 9.7 sqkm is land and 0.4 sqkm, or 3.99%, is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census, Bee Ridge had a population of 9,955 with a total of 4,737 households. There were 5,078 housing units.

The population was split by age with 3.7% under 5 years old, 15.6% under 18, and 35.5% were 65 years and older. 54.1% were female persons.

By race, the population was split with 87.8% were white, 1.5% were black or African American, 4.6% were Asian, 4.0% were two or more races, and 10.4% were Hispanic or Latino.

The median household income was $68,316 with an employment rate of 51.7%. 15.3% of the population were without health care coverage. 11.5% of the population lived below the poverty threshold.

14.8% of the population were foreign born persons. 9.6% of the population were veterans. 36.0% of the population 25 years old and over had a Bachelor's Degree or higher.

Attractions
There are several parks in the Bee Ridge area including the Larry C. Manning Memorial Preserve and the Urfer Family Park, where the historic Dr. C. B. Wilson House is now located. There is also the Ashton Trailhead which is trailhead on the Legacy Trail (Florida).

title: Bee Ridge, Florida


text:
Desoto Lakes, Florida

Desoto Lakes is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,137 at the 2020 US census, down from 3,646 at the 2010 US Census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.3 km2, of which 3.2 sqkm is land and 0.1 sqkm, or 2.87%, is water.

Demographics
As of the 2000 US Census, there were 3,198 people, 1,290 households, and 939 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,537.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,352 housing units at an average density of 1,072.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.50% White, 3.06% African American, 0.03% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.84% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.35% of the population.

There were 1,290 households, out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 19.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 20.5% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $52,719, and the median income for a family was $54,425. Males had a median income of $35,368 versus $26,920 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $28,616. About 2.1% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

title: Desoto Lakes, Florida


text:
Fruitville, Florida

Fruitville is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 15,484 at the 2020 census, up from 13,224 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The area that is Fruitville was mostly a sawgrass swamp when European pioneers began to settle the area. This marshland was home to wild cattle but, according to one source, those cattle didn't do well due to a lack of minerals in the foliage they grazed from. This swampland was eventually drained to make the land more suitable for farming.

In the late 1870s, a new wave of pioneers began to settle in Florida thanks to a growing orange industry. In 1876, a man by the name of Charles Reaves settled in what is now considered Fruitville. According to some sources, he was the one who named the area Fruitville after the abundance of fruit in the area. Reaves would go on to become the postmaster for the area's 115 residents. The first church in Sarasota County was the Friendship Baptist Church. The church was chartered in 1875 and a small pine log structure was used for the congregation until a new church was erected in 1876, using some of the original lumber from the first church. In 1887, the Florida Mortgage and Investment Company of Scotland donated land to the church for the establishment of the community's first cemetery.

Also in 1887, Charles and his wife Martha Tatum Reaves converted their corncrib into Fruitville's first school for their three children and seven neighbors. They went on to hire Miss Josie Clower as the first teacher in the area. After citizens petitioned for a modern school building, funding was granted from the Works Progress Administration to build Fruitville Elementary in 1941. Rural schools in the nearby villages of Tatum Ridge and Old Myakka were closed, with their students bussed to the new school in Fruitville.

A map from 1902 shows Fruitville on the map as a community.

In May 1918, Franklin Field (named after then-mayor George Franklin) began operating as a military airfield during World War I. The Franklin airfield was located north of Fruitville Road and east of what is now Tuttle road. The airfield was an auxiliary landing station for the U.S. Army Air Service and housed, at the least, several Curtiss JN "Jenny" planes. With the war over, the airfield saw less and less traffic and was likely unused by 1920. In 1924 the land was developed for a new subdivision.

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, there was a migrant camp called Sababo in Fruitville that supplied much of the labor force for area's farm industry. A major crop in the area was celery. In 1966, there was an estimated 2,000 migrant workers in Sarasota County. To provide healthcare and education to this population, on December 5, 1966 the Fruitville Area Medical and Educational (FAME) Center was opened.

In November 1990, Litchfield's Cinema 10 opened in the Sarasota Commons, the community's first modern movie theater. As a promotion, the theater offered tickets for only 50 cents during its opening. Some of the films shown for its pre-opening weekend were Pretty Woman and Back to the Future III.

On December 8, 2001, the Fruitville Library was opened to serve the Fruitville community as a part of the Sarasota County Library System. The library was initially called East County Library throughout its land-use planning process before the Sarasota County Commission renamed the library a month prior to its opening.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 18.46 km2, of which 17.68 sqkm is land and 0.78 sqkm, or 4.21%, is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, there was a population of 15,484 people and 6,043 households. There were 2.32 persons per household.

In terms of age, 4% were under 5 years old, 15% were 18 years or younger, 45% were between 18 and 64, and %26 were 65 years or older. 80.9% of the population was white (non-Hispanic), 2.1% was black or African American, 2.4% was Asian, and 12.5% was Hispanic or Latino. There were 1,172 veterans living in Fruitville and 12.9% of the population was Foreign born.

The median value of owner-occupied housing units was $275,600 and the median gross rent was $1,639. Median household income was $72,512. 7.6% of the population lived below the poverty threshold. 92.6% of households had a computer and 88.1% had a broadband internet subscription.

Of the population 25 years and older, 91.0% had a high school degree or higher and 33.0% of that same population had a Bachelor's degree or higher.

Of the population under 65 years old, 6.8% lived with a disability and 17.2% did not have health insurance.

Education
Fruitville is home to several public and private schools including:
 * Fruitville Elementary
 * Julie Rohr Academy
 * Learning Academy of Sarasota
 * McIntosh Middle School
 * Sarasota Academy of the Arts
 * Sarasota Christian School

It is also home to the Fruitville Library, a branch of the Sarasota County Library System.

title: Fruitville, Florida


text:
Gulf Gate Estates, Florida

Gulf Gate Estates is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 11,118 at the 2020 census, up from 10,911 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Gulf Gate Estates is located at 27.25944°N, -82.50667°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.3 km2, of which 7.0 sqkm is land and 0.3 sqkm, or 3.90%, is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,647 people, 5,987 households, and 2,981 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,142.7 PD/sqmi. There were 6,720 housing units at an average density of 2,390.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.46% White, 0.78% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.77% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.20% of the population.

There were 5,987 households, out of which 15.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.9% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.2% were non-families. 41.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.89 and the average family size was 2.54.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 13.3% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 34.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,154, and the median income for a family was $44,716. Males had a median income of $29,801 versus $25,050 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,199. About 3.3% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

title: Gulf Gate Estates, Florida