Established May 27, 1887 Lake County was named for the many lakes within its borders. 250 named lakes, and many more bodies of water, Lake County has a long, and interesting history.
After the Civil War, a new homesteading act offered 160 acres of land to settlers who would live on the land and improve it. Following are several historic homes that have been built in Lake County during the early years of county history and have been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Campbell/Valentine House, 1880 – Located in Okahumpka, Florida The Campbell House and its surrounding agricultural acreage are the last remaining significant evidence of the community’s development in the 1880s. It is one of the few houses from the 19th century remaining in the town of Okahumpka.
Clifford House, 1910 – The Clifford House was built in 1910-1911, by G.D. Clifford, an early settler in the Eustis, Fl area. The house has 18 rooms, 4500 sq. ft and remains much the same today as the day it was built. Presently it is home to the Eustis Historical Museum & Preservation Society.
Clermont Women’s Club, 1880= The Clermont Women’s Club was built as a one-room school house in 1880 and later enlarged to two rooms. The house was re-modeled in 1923 to accommodate tourists to the Clermont area.
Edge House, 1902 = The Edge house was built in 1902 by one of Groveland’s founding pioneers, Elliott Edge. Mr. Edge started the Edge Lumber Co. and was instrumental in setting up the local telephone system to communicate with logging camps. Edge also established the Edge Mercantile Co., which grew into the largest mercantile business in Lake and Sumter serving farmers and grove workers. Edge was among the first elected city officials after Groveland incorporated in 1922.
Lake County, established in 1887, has so many historical sites, museums, archaeological sites, and historical homes history buffs will find plenty to do during their free time. Enjoy your explorations throughout the county!
Kathy Entler, Sales Associate at Optima One Realty in Clermont, Fl. Contact her for all your Central Florida real estate needs!
Kathy Entler, Real Estate Agent 