Avon Park, Florida | Named For Shakespeare's Home Town

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AVON PARK, FLORIDA

By  Mike Miller   Updated August 24, 2024

Avon Park, Florida Things To Do, Lodging, Dining, & Real Estate At End Of Article

Avon Park, Florida is in Highlands County on US-27 a few miles north of Sebring.  The population of the town is about 9,000.  It's in the heart of the Florida region known for its citrus groves.

Vintage Postcard of the Mall, Avon Park

There are hundreds of thousands of acres of citrus surrounding Avon Park;  in the spring the wonderful smell of blossoming orange trees fills the air.

HISTORY OF AVON PARK, FLORIDA

Avon Park, Florida, traces its roots to the boom years of the late 19th century, when railroads and land development opened Central Florida to settlement.

Founded in 1886, the town was the vision of Oliver Martin Crosby, a Connecticut native who purchased land along the newly built South Florida Railroad.

He named the community “Avon Park” after Stratford-upon-Avon, the English birthplace of William Shakespeare, hoping the cultured name would attract settlers.

Early growth centered on agriculture, especially citrus groves, which thrived in the area’s sandy soil and mild climate. The arrival of the railroad allowed fruit to be shipped north, bringing prosperity and new residents.

Avon Park was incorporated in 1925 during Florida’s land boom, just before the Great Depression slowed development.

World War II brought major change when Avon Park Army Air Field was established nearby in 1941. The base provided jobs and helped stabilize the local economy.

After the war, the airfield evolved into Avon Park Air Force Range. 

Hotel Jacaranda, Avon Park

A Personal Memory of Avon Park

I first visited Avon Park more than 50 years ago and was scared out of my wits one night.  

After having a happy hour drink in the lounge of the Hotel Jacaranda one afternoon, I left to go have dinner in one of the restaurants out along US-27.

While driving back to the hotel well after sunset, the night sky was suddenly illuminated as if it were high noon.  Burning flares were all over the sky like a million flaming stars. I wondered if we were suddenly under nuclear attack.  

It was then I remembered the existence of the nearby Avon Park Bombing Range.

Avon Park Bombing Range

During World War Two this bombing range was operated by the Army Air Force, and sprawled over 218,000 acres.  The huge acreage has been partially sold off over the years, but it still has more than 100,000 acres.

AVON PARK, FLORIDA TODAY

A lot of the bombing range acreage is open to the public for hiking and nature watching.

When I last went through Avon Park in April 2022 the old Hotel Jacaranda still looks pretty much like it does on the postcard.

Downtown Avon Park is built along a grassy boulevard mall, and quite a few of the old buildings have been nicely maintained or restored.

The vintage postcard above shows an Avon Park downtown boulevard area not much different than the scene you would see today. 

Change the old automobiles into their modern counterparts and you would feel on familiar ground.

Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Avon Park

Another building that hasn't changed too much since it was built in 1894 is the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer. 

This church is an example of Carpenter Gothic architecture, as is the Union Congregational Church.

Union Congregational Church, Avon Park

Union Congregational is also known as Union Evangelical and is at 105 North Forest Avenue.  It was built in 1892, and is another example of Carpenter Gothic church architecture.

Avon park is home to Classic Caladiums, a large wholesale plant nursery.  Classic has created and patented many new varieties of the caladium plant and produces a majority of the world supply of caladium tubers. The nursery has open house events where the public can enjoy their beautiful gardens. 

Caladium Field Near Avon ParkClassic Caladiums, Inc.

In addition to the Avon Park nursery, they own a nearby 850 acre farm. Avon Park is only 25 miles from Lake Placid where the annual Caladium Festival is held. Read more about Classic Caladiums.

THINGS TO DO IN AVON PARK

Lake Bonnet Village RV Resort: 2900 US Hwy 27 S, Avon Park, FL 33825 - Experience the beauty of Florida's nature by camping or staying in an RV at this serene lakeside resort.

Donaldson Park: 109 E Main St, Avon Park, FL 33825 - Enjoy a relaxing day outdoors with family and friends, surrounded by picturesque views, playgrounds, and picnic areas.

Depot Museum: 3 N Museum Ave, Avon Park, FL 33825 - Step back in time and explore Avon Park's rich history through exhibits and artifacts housed in a charming train depot.

Avon Park Community Center: 300 W Main St, Avon Park, FL 33825 - Engage in various recreational activities such as basketball, tennis, and fitness classes at this vibrant community center.

Depot Park: Intersection of US-27 and Main St, Avon Park, FL 33825 - Spend time outdoors at this park, featuring a gazebo, walking trails, and a stage for community events.

Sightseeing Sally Video on Avon Park History

 ALL ABOUT AVON PARK, FLORIDA

AVON PARK RESTAURANTS

AVON PARK MOTELS/INNS

AVON PARK GOVERNMENT

AVON PARK  REAL ESTATE

AVON PARK FLORIDA INTERACIVE GOOGLE MAP

Florida is the fastest-growing state in the United States and also the fastest-changing.  If you see anything in this article that has changed or is in error, please let me know.  

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By Mike Miller, Copyright 2009-2026 Florida-Back-Roads-Travel.com

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