About Interlachen

The city of Interlachen was settled in after 1879 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 1890s and early 1900s 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. (see "History Book")

In the 1890s there were three hotels catering to the tourists that came to Interlachen. At a time when virtually all buildings here were made of 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 Lake View House Hotel, built in 1884 still stands (see photo album).

The Hotel Interlachen (see picture below) had 76 rooms and stood on Boylston Street between Prospect Street and Tropic, (near where the Lions Club is today). The block in front of the hotel was named Hotel Park. It is now known as Hastings Park. It was a popular recreation area for adults with a tennis court and shuffleboard courts. (See photo below.) The Hotel Interlachen was built over the winter of 1884 - 1885 and burned to the ground on Friday, January 19, 1900.

The Hotel Lagonda was built in 1886 and also burned down in 1900. Neither hotel was insured so they were not rebuilt. These two hotels were the tallest buildings ever erected in Interlachen.

Hastings Park is still in use today as a playground and picnic area. Students from the Interlachen High School Honor Society painted and spruced up the Park and the Town's Tree Committee under the direction of former councilwoman Janet Smith Davis planted two Palatka Holly Trees there one Arbor Day and new trees have been planted to replace trees that had to be removed.

Naval Stores (or pine tree products), such as turpentine, rosin and tar were an important industry in Interlachen until the 1940s. A turpentine still was located near where the present day Hitchcock's shopping center is now located, on Still Pond.

Plant nurseries were also important in Interlachen's early days. The Hastings Seed Co., which was relocated in Atlanta in 1899, started in Interlachen in the 1889. The Chipco Nursery operated around the turn of the century. Click the pictures below for an enlarged view.

Turpentine Still c1925

Chipco Nursery c1900

Here Are Some Things To See In Interlachen

See Photographs In Photo Album

	Point of Interest: The Lake View House Hotel (Smith-Branham-Davis Home) We have included 2 pictures in the Photo Album. One was taken around 1915 and the other was taken more recently. The view is the same in each picture. The photographer was standing on Prospect Street looking south toward Lake Lagonda. In both pictures you can see the Lakeview House on the left and the Holford House on the right. The Lake View House Hotel was built in 1884 by George W. Hastings, President of the Interlachen Winter Resort Company. It is located at the corner of Washington Street and Prospect Street in the center of Interlachen. In the late 19th century there were three resort hotels in Interlachen. The Lakeview House was the first and the smallest. It is the only one remaining in Interlachen. The exterior has changed little in its 100+ years. Until their deaths, this was the private home of Franklin and Virginia Smith. The Smith's daughters, Janet Davis and Melinda Smith Branham and her husband, Tony look forward to restoring the 22 room former hotel.
	Point of Interest: The Holford-Dawson House was built circa 1882-'83 for the Holford family who, along with the Young family wintered here for 49 years. Mr. Holford was vice-president of The Interlachen Winter Resort Company. He was also a real estate agent from Springfield, Ohio. This was the home of 2 of our Interlachen mayors, Howard J. Lattin and E. J. Buteux and at one time was used as a boarding house. This house has been the home of Lynn and Mary Lou Dawson since 1979.
	Point of Interest: Interlachen Hall (Listed in the National Registry of Historic places). Built in 1892, at the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Atlantic Avenue, the Hall served as the center of town business until 1963. After the town offices were moved to the Dickerman Building, Interlachen Hall became the home of the Interlachen Library. With the help of The Friends of the Library, Interlachen got a new library on CR 315 and the Hall became the home of the Historical Society. The Hall looks virtually unchanged after all these years. Although a jail (which may never have been used) was removed many years ago and electricity and plumbing were added, the building still retains its original ceilings, floors, windows, woodwork, wainscoting, etc. The stage where the legendary Minnie Pearl once entertained still stands on the second floor and once again hosts shows and programs for the enjoyment of all. Interlachen Hall was restored and reopened in 2003 with the aid of grants from the National Historic Trust. The first floor houses the Interlachen Historical Society's Museum and the second floor is a meeting hall where the stage is located. This good sized room can be rented. Interlachen Hall is open every Saturday from 10 until 2 o'clock and it is open buy appointment.
	Point of Interest: The Interlachen Academy (Also called the old Interlachen Community School and/or The Sid Martin Building), is one of the oldest schools in Florida. In fact, it is the oldest wooden school in the State which has been in continuous use since it was built. There is an older wooden school in Saint Augustine, but it is now in use as a store and information center. There is also a brick schoolhouse which is about the same age. The old school was restored to its original style thanks to a grant, which the late Rep. Sid Martin helped to obtain. It was used in conjunction with the elementary school until a new elementary school was built approximately a mile south on SR 315 and this old school building became part of the high school campus. You will find the Interlachen Academy at the intersection of SR 20 and CR 315. It is now the home of the Interlachen High School's ROTC program.
	Point of Interest: The First Congregational Church. Built in 1884-85, it is the oldest church in Interlachen. Located on the corner of Washington Street and Tropic Avenue, the church looks much as it did 100 years ago with exception of the bell tower which was destroyed in a 1950s hurricane and rebuilt with a new steeple.
	Point of Interest: The Parsonage of the Congregational Church is a good example of a "cracker house". Built early in the century, it is located next to the church. The original cistern is still located between the house and the church.
	Point of Interest: The Freeborn-Stock-Whittier House. This beautiful old home was built by George Hastings of The Interlachen Winter Resort Company. It was bought by William Freeborn of Medina, Ohio and used as his family's winter home for a few years. In 1906 it was bought by the Stock family who hailed from England and it was occupied by members of the Stock family until 1997 when Frances Whittier bought and completely restored the home for her use. It, and most of its neighbors will probably be torn town or relocated due to the four lane project on State Road 20 to turn the 2 lane road into an Intrastate Highway.