Fruitland Park, Florida
Encyclopedia
Fruitland Park is a city in Lake County
, Florida
, United States
. The population was 3,186 at the 2000 census. The Census Bureau
estimated the population in 2008 to be 4,293. It is part of the Orlando
–Kissimmee
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 9.5 km² (3.7 mi²). 7.6 km² (2.9 mi²) of it is land and 1.9 km² (0.8 mi²) of it (20.44%) is water.
of 2000, there were 3,186 people, 1,192 households, and 890 families residing in the city. The population density
was 421.3/km² (1,092.1/mi²). There were 1,288 housing units at an average density of 170.3/km² (441.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.08% White, 7.16% African American, 0.56% Native American, 1.32% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races
, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.54% of the population.
There were 1,192 households out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples
living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,403, and the median income for a family was $42,665. Males had a median income of $29,375 versus $19,951 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,400. About 8.1% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.0% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.
, although the name of the town didn't come until later. It was originally called Gardenia. The earliest settler was M. Calvin Lee, of the Evander Lee family of Leesburg, who planted a citrus grove. After the war, a son-in-law of the Lee family, P.S. Bouknight, homesteaded 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) near Mirror Lake.
In 1875 the State of Florida sent Capt. Kendricks to the northern part of the US to talk about the advantages of living in Florida. Due to Major Orlando P. Rooks poor health, and already considering a move, he had his wife, Josephine, moved to Fruitland Park. They built their first home on Crystal Lake in 1877. It was here that the first white child, Frederic, was born in 1882.
The Fruitland Nurseries of Augusta, Georgia, was owned by J. P. Berckmann, friend of Major Rook. Major Rook named the town Fruitland Park for the nurseries, and the main street Berckmann Street for this friend.
The Postal authorities refused to recognize the name Fruitland Park as there was already a Fruitland in the State. At their request the name was changed to Gardenia in 1884. The Florida Railroad
, put through the town just prior to this, had listed the town as Fruitland Park in all their printed matter and refused to recognize the new name of Gardenia. Consequently, all freight and express had to be directed to Fruitland Park and all mail addressed to Gardenia. This caused a great deal of confusion which lasted from 1884 to 1888 when a petition was sent to the postal authorities to have the name changed back to Fruitland Park. The petition was granted in 1888.
On December 20, 1884, Rev. G.W. Butler organized the first "community" church in Fruitland Park. The church had acquired to lots on College Ave., between Fountain St. and Lime St. The church was built in 1886-1887. That building burned in 1934, but was rebuilt in 1935. That building was later sold to the United Pentecostal Church and still remains today.
The City of Fruitland Park was granted a Charter by the State of Florida on May 25, 1927.
Today the city boasts churches, schools, and numerous businesses. It still calls itself "Hometown USA."http://lake.k12.fl.us/16582055172312593/site/default.asp
Lake County, Florida
Lake County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 307,243. Its county seat is Tavares...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 3,186 at the 2000 census. The Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
estimated the population in 2008 to be 4,293. It is part of the Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
–Kissimmee
Kissimmee, Florida
Kissimmee is a city in Osceola County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 59,682. It is the county seat of Osceola County...
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
Fruitland Park is located at 28.858571°N 81.913114°W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 9.5 km² (3.7 mi²). 7.6 km² (2.9 mi²) of it is land and 1.9 km² (0.8 mi²) of it (20.44%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,186 people, 1,192 households, and 890 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 421.3/km² (1,092.1/mi²). There were 1,288 housing units at an average density of 170.3/km² (441.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.08% White, 7.16% African American, 0.56% Native American, 1.32% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.54% of the population.
There were 1,192 households out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,403, and the median income for a family was $42,665. Males had a median income of $29,375 versus $19,951 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,400. About 8.1% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.0% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.
History
Fruitland Park predates the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, although the name of the town didn't come until later. It was originally called Gardenia. The earliest settler was M. Calvin Lee, of the Evander Lee family of Leesburg, who planted a citrus grove. After the war, a son-in-law of the Lee family, P.S. Bouknight, homesteaded 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) near Mirror Lake.
In 1875 the State of Florida sent Capt. Kendricks to the northern part of the US to talk about the advantages of living in Florida. Due to Major Orlando P. Rooks poor health, and already considering a move, he had his wife, Josephine, moved to Fruitland Park. They built their first home on Crystal Lake in 1877. It was here that the first white child, Frederic, was born in 1882.
The Fruitland Nurseries of Augusta, Georgia, was owned by J. P. Berckmann, friend of Major Rook. Major Rook named the town Fruitland Park for the nurseries, and the main street Berckmann Street for this friend.
The Postal authorities refused to recognize the name Fruitland Park as there was already a Fruitland in the State. At their request the name was changed to Gardenia in 1884. The Florida Railroad
Florida Railroad
The Florida Railroad was the first railroad to connect the east and west coasts of Florida, running from Fernandina to Cedar Key. The line later became part of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, and, where still in use, is operated by CSX Transportation and the First Coast Railroad...
, put through the town just prior to this, had listed the town as Fruitland Park in all their printed matter and refused to recognize the new name of Gardenia. Consequently, all freight and express had to be directed to Fruitland Park and all mail addressed to Gardenia. This caused a great deal of confusion which lasted from 1884 to 1888 when a petition was sent to the postal authorities to have the name changed back to Fruitland Park. The petition was granted in 1888.
On December 20, 1884, Rev. G.W. Butler organized the first "community" church in Fruitland Park. The church had acquired to lots on College Ave., between Fountain St. and Lime St. The church was built in 1886-1887. That building burned in 1934, but was rebuilt in 1935. That building was later sold to the United Pentecostal Church and still remains today.
The City of Fruitland Park was granted a Charter by the State of Florida on May 25, 1927.
Today the city boasts churches, schools, and numerous businesses. It still calls itself "Hometown USA."http://lake.k12.fl.us/16582055172312593/site/default.asp
See also
- Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (Fruitland Park, Florida)Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (Fruitland Park, Florida)Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, an historic Carpenter Gothic church located at 2201 Spring Lake Road, in Fruitland Park, Florida, is listed on the U.S...
- Lake Griffin State ParkLake Griffin State ParkLake Griffin State Park is a Florida State Park located two miles north of Leesburg, in Fruitland Park and south of Ocala on U.S. Highway 441. It is home to one of the state's largest live oak trees...