CitrusLAND

73 families resided in Town of Altamonte Springs in 1930. Fifty years prior, the town of SNOWVILLE was founded on land where patrons of ALTAMONTE Mall currently park. After 50 years, Altamonte Springs had only added 72 families?A former prisoner of the Civil War, a Citrus farmer, and town founder, Edgar J. SNOW resided on 160 acres that extended east to enchanting LAKE ADELAIDE, a spring-fed lake he named for his wife. Across this spring-fed lake was George SUSSY's citrus grove. George was also a former prisoner of the Civil War. Sussy did not establish a town, but a portion of his farm is today the busy intersection of 436 and Maitland Avenue.Neither SNOW nor SUSSY came from New England. Neither were Boston Capitalists, a vague title often assigned to the founders of Altamonte Springs.Sworn enemies in 1861, Snow and Sussy were both imprisoned in 1864, each sent to the worst prison camps Union and Confederate Armies had to offer, and then in 1880, they were neighbors.Central Florida brought Union and Confederates together as neighbors, assisting in the healing a war-torn nation. Central Florida transformed retired warriors into civic leaders, business partners, and over time, friends. A Snow - Sussy story can be found throughout Central Florida, and yet nowhere was this historic account more prevalent than in Orange County's highlands region - modern day Seminole County. Altamont; Altamonte; Hoosier and Shepherd Springs; Palm Springs and Sanlando, each play a fascinating role in a history that culminates with Altamonte Springs. The amazing people were real, their inspiring stories accurate. A History of Altamonte Springs, Florida includes 44 Exhibits and a supporting bibliography of 350 references.Central Florida's story is the second home of America's Proud History! Central Florida's story has always fascinated me. Since arriving in these parts in the early 70's, I've been teased by how little is truly known about an abundance of history that stares us in the face daily. Where is Forest City and Palm Springs? If Altamonte Springs got its name from a spring in Lake Adelaide, who named Lake Adelaide? What was Clarcona? Why was Orlando named for person's first name? Hundreds of Central Florida town names date to the 19th Century, and yet the 1900 Census reports fewer than 15,000 people lived in all of Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties.So many tantalizing questions, so little substantial information. I set out on a mission to learn of the REAL history of Central Florida. That mission had to include learning of that enchanting gazebo sitting on the banks of charming Lake Adelaide. Who put it there? Who named the lake? Why does the sketch beg for the telling of a love story? CENTRAL FLORIDA: SECOND HOME OF AMERICA'S PROUD HISTORY!