Interlachen
Florida
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Town of Interlachen
History
The town of Interlachen was settled in the late 1870's when the building of a railroad opened the area. It developed as both a citrus growing center and a winter resort. When severe freezes in the 1890's made it apparent that commercial citrus production was not economically viable, the town evolved into a retirement haven and later a bedroom community for Gainesville and Palatka.
In the 1890's there were three hotels catering to the tourists that came to Interlachen. At a time when virtually all buildings here were wood and were illuminated with kerosene lamps and heated with wood burning stoves, fires were common. Two of the hotels burned to the ground around the turn of the century. Only the Lakeview House Hotel still stands. The Hotel Interlachen had 76 rooms and stood on Boyleston Street between Prospect Street and Tropic, (near where the Lions Club is today). The block in front of the hotel was named Hastings Park. It was a popular recreation area for adults with a tennis court and shuffleboard courts.
Hastings Park is still in use today as a children's playground and picnic area. Students from the Interlachen High School Honor Society recently painted and spruced up the Park and the Town's Tree Committee under the direction of councilman, Janet Smith Davis planted two Palatka Holly Trees on Arbor Day last February.
The original building was constructed in 1892, renovation of Interlachen Hall was completed in 2003. It is now a museum and community meeting hall. Interlachen Hall was listed on the National Register of Historical Places in June of 2000.
The town of Interlachen was settled in the late 1870's when the building of a railroad opened the area. It developed as both a citrus growing center and a winter resort. When severe freezes in the 1890's made it apparent that commercial citrus production was not economically viable, the town evolved into a retirement haven and later a bedroom community for Gainesville and Palatka.
In the 1890's there were three hotels catering to the tourists that came to Interlachen. At a time when virtually all buildings here were wood and were illuminated with kerosene lamps and heated with wood burning stoves, fires were common. Two of the hotels burned to the ground around the turn of the century. Only the Lakeview House Hotel still stands. The Hotel Interlachen had 76 rooms and stood on Boyleston Street between Prospect Street and Tropic, (near where the Lions Club is today). The block in front of the hotel was named Hastings Park. It was a popular recreation area for adults with a tennis court and shuffleboard courts.
Hastings Park is still in use today as a children's playground and picnic area. Students from the Interlachen High School Honor Society recently painted and spruced up the Park and the Town's Tree Committee under the direction of councilman, Janet Smith Davis planted two Palatka Holly Trees on Arbor Day last February.
The original building was constructed in 1892, renovation of Interlachen Hall was completed in 2003. It is now a museum and community meeting hall. Interlachen Hall was listed on the National Register of Historical Places in June of 2000.