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The 1800's brought changes to a young nation and to Florida. Shuffled between various European rulers and largely populated by 'Natives,' this was the literal frontier of a very young country.

In the late 1870's, a railroad survey crew passed through this area and found an Indian village and one log cabin. But then the citrus industry began to take off in the region requiring locomotives and the rails opened up this quiet hamlet to visitors who sought respite from harsh Northern winters. By 1888, a town was officially incorporated that had 4 hotels, a bank and a depot which greeted up to four passenger trains a day.
The town was billed as "A secure winter home in a Southern Land...with easy access and but 36 hours from Cincinnati or New York (1887)" to attract vacationers and retirees from New England. These wealthy settlers either stayed at one of the four magnificent hotels or built their own homesteads on inexpensive land.
This home was built around 1890 just before freezes hit the area in 1894-95, devastating agriculture and severely damaging the tourist-based economy. Sitting just steps from the railroad tracks, you can imagine the sound of the approaching iron horse. Many homes like this one were left behind as wealthy vacationers migrated elsewhere and farmers moved further south.
Built by one family to be loved by many others, electricity was added in 1926. More updates were done in 1964 and in 1987 William and Mary bought this home. They would live here until 2005 when he passed away. The home was sold in 2011 for $56,000 and is unoccupied although the current owners still maintain the property.
[Putnam County, c. late 1800's]