Inverness, Florida
Encyclopedia
Inverness is a city in Citrus County
, Florida
, United States
. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 7,210. It is the county seat
of Citrus County
.
, the city has a total area of 8.1 square miles (21 km²), of which, 7.3 square miles (18.9 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) of it (10.12%) is water. Within the 7 plus miles of land are 330 acres which are reserved for passive and active park usage.
Not many years later, the town of Tompkinsville was sold to a firm in Jacksonville and the name was changed to Inverness. According to the late historian Mary McRae of Homosassa
, Inverness got its name from a lonely Scotsman, far away from his home, who gazed upon the blue waters of the Native American-named Tsala Apopka Lake
and thought the area looked like the headlands and lochs of Inverness, Scotland
, deserving the name Inverness. Inver is a Gaelic word meaning “mouth of the river”, and through the city flows the River Ness, originating from Loch Ness. Since the city lies at the foot of one of the chain of lakes in Citrus County, Inverness seemed an appropriate name. Per official city documentation, Inverness was incorporated on March 6, 1917.
Over twelve downtown buildings have been recognized by the historic plaque program and are presently active places for business. Central Business Development Grants have helped to retain the historic character of the city. In 1961 the historic courthouse downtown was used to film the courtroom scene of "Follow that Dream
" featuring Elvis Presley
.
The City has been designated a Gateway Community by the Florida Trail Association
. Since 1995, Inverness has been recognized as a Tree City USA
by the National Arbor Day Foundation
and the US Forestry Service
. In 2009, Inverness was awarded the national title of "City of the Year" by the Veterans honor organization the Forty & Eight
.
The last full weekend in October is reserved for the Great American Cooterfestival, named after the Florida cooter turtle
. A family focused event of music, games, crafts and more is held at the adjoining Liberty and Wallace Brooks Parks on Lake Henderson.
Since 1971 the first weekend in November marks the Festival of the Arts, a juried fine art show that has grown to include over 100 artists.
of 2000, there were 6,789 people, 3,190 households, and 1,805 families residing in the city. The population density
was 931.7 people per square mile (359.6/km²). There were 3,635 housing units at an average density of 498.9 per square mile (192.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.83% White, 5.20% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.77% from other races
, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.42% of the population.
There were 3,190 households out of which 18.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples
living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 38.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 24.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.60.
In the city the population was spread out with 16.6% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 19.3% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 38.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 55 years. For every 100 females there were 76.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,604, and the median income for a family was $35,342. Males had a median income of $27,255 versus $21,052 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,211. About 9.6% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.5% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
is actually located in Inverness Highlands South, Florida
, next to the Inverness Speedway. The Citrus County Sheriff's Department
's aviation unit operates from this airport.
U.S. Route 41
is the main north-south road through Inverness. The main east-west road is Florida State Road 44. Both roads overlap each other from east of Davison Avenue to Highland Boulevard. Other county roads include Citrus County Road 581 and Citrus County Road 470.
The Withlacoochee State Trail
, which replaced a former Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
line, runs between two of the chained lakes, with small bridges replacing former railroad trestle crossings. The trail offers access to 46 continuous miles of enjoyment for biking, jogging and walking. The Inverness Trailhead can be found on North Apopka Avenue(CR 470) across from the trail crossing and Liberty Park.
Other parks in Inverness include Wallace Brooks Park, Whispering Pines Park, the Henderson Lake boat ramps, and Fort Cooper State Park
, just south of the city.
Citrus County, Florida
Citrus County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 118,085. The U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimate for the county was 141,416 . Its county seat is Inverness, Florida...
, 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...
. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 7,210. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Citrus County
Citrus County, Florida
Citrus County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 118,085. The U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimate for the county was 141,416 . Its county seat is Inverness, Florida...
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 8.1 square miles (21 km²), of which, 7.3 square miles (18.9 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) of it (10.12%) is water. Within the 7 plus miles of land are 330 acres which are reserved for passive and active park usage.
History
The city of Inverness, Florida was originally named Tompkinsville. Settlement of the area dates back to 1868. A. D. Tompkins, later known as Uncle Alf, started the community. To attract newcomers to the town, he established mail service and helped erect the first saw mill in the county. He also gave his brother-in-law, Frank M. Dampier, Sr., a lot to build a store, with Dampier becoming the first merchant in town. Dampier is credited with laying out the town and naming it Tompkinsville.Not many years later, the town of Tompkinsville was sold to a firm in Jacksonville and the name was changed to Inverness. According to the late historian Mary McRae of Homosassa
Homosassa, Florida
Homosassa is a census-designated place in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,294 at the 2000 census.-Historic:...
, Inverness got its name from a lonely Scotsman, far away from his home, who gazed upon the blue waters of the Native American-named Tsala Apopka Lake
Tsala Apopka Lake
Tsala Apopka Lake is a chain of lakes located in Citrus County in north central Florida. It is between State Road 200 to the north, Floral City to the south, I-75 to the east and US 41 to the west.-External links:*...
and thought the area looked like the headlands and lochs of Inverness, Scotland
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
, deserving the name Inverness. Inver is a Gaelic word meaning “mouth of the river”, and through the city flows the River Ness, originating from Loch Ness. Since the city lies at the foot of one of the chain of lakes in Citrus County, Inverness seemed an appropriate name. Per official city documentation, Inverness was incorporated on March 6, 1917.
Over twelve downtown buildings have been recognized by the historic plaque program and are presently active places for business. Central Business Development Grants have helped to retain the historic character of the city. In 1961 the historic courthouse downtown was used to film the courtroom scene of "Follow that Dream
Follow that Dream
Follow That Dream is a 1962 musical film starring Elvis Presley made by Mirisch Productions. The movie was based on the 1959 novel Pioneer, Go Home! by Richard P. Powell. Producer Walter Mirisch liked the song Follow that Dream and retitled the picture...
" featuring Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
.
The City has been designated a Gateway Community by the Florida Trail Association
Florida Trail Association
Founded in 1964, the Florida Trail Association is a private non-profit organization that oversees the volunteer effort to build, maintain, protect and promote the Florida Trail, one of eight National Scenic Trails in the United States...
. Since 1995, Inverness has been recognized as a Tree City USA
Tree City USA
Tree City USA is a tree planting and tree care program sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation for cities and towns in the United States.- Requirements :...
by the National Arbor Day Foundation
National Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is the world's oldest and largest tree-planting organization. The foundation began September 3, 1971 with a mission "to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees". The Foundation is supported by donations, selling trees and merchandise, and by corporate sponsors...
and the US Forestry Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
. In 2009, Inverness was awarded the national title of "City of the Year" by the Veterans honor organization the Forty & Eight
Forty and Eight veterans organization
The Forty and Eight is an organization of veterans of the United States armed forces. Its official name is "La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux," which is French, and translates as "The Society of Forty Men and Eight Horses."-History:...
.
The last full weekend in October is reserved for the Great American Cooterfestival, named after the Florida cooter turtle
Pseudemys
Pseudemys is a genus of large, herbivorous, freshwater turtles of the eastern United States. They are often referred to as cooters, which stems from kuta, the word for turtle in the Bambara and Malinké languages, brought to America by African slaves....
. A family focused event of music, games, crafts and more is held at the adjoining Liberty and Wallace Brooks Parks on Lake Henderson.
Since 1971 the first weekend in November marks the Festival of the Arts, a juried fine art show that has grown to include over 100 artists.
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 6,789 people, 3,190 households, and 1,805 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 931.7 people per square mile (359.6/km²). There were 3,635 housing units at an average density of 498.9 per square mile (192.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.83% White, 5.20% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.77% 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 4.42% of the population.
There were 3,190 households out of which 18.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% 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, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 38.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 24.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.60.
In the city the population was spread out with 16.6% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 19.3% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 38.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 55 years. For every 100 females there were 76.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,604, and the median income for a family was $35,342. Males had a median income of $27,255 versus $21,052 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 $17,211. About 9.6% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.5% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation and recreation
Inverness AirportInverness Airport (Florida)
Inverness Airport is a public-use airport located southeast of the central business district of the city of Inverness in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The airport is publicly owned, and contains an aviation unit of the Citrus County Sheriff's Office. It is also located next to the Citrus...
is actually located in Inverness Highlands South, Florida
Inverness Highlands South, Florida
Inverness Highlands South is a census-designated place in Citrus County, Florida, United States. As of the year 2000 census, the CDP population was 5,781.-Geography:Inverness Highlands South is located at ....
, next to the Inverness Speedway. The Citrus County Sheriff's Department
Citrus County Sheriff's Office
The Citrus County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency servicing a population of 138,143 in of Citrus County, Florida.-History:...
's aviation unit operates from this airport.
U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41 is a north–south United States Highway that runs from Miami, Florida to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, was U.S...
is the main north-south road through Inverness. The main east-west road is Florida State Road 44. Both roads overlap each other from east of Davison Avenue to Highland Boulevard. Other county roads include Citrus County Road 581 and Citrus County Road 470.
The Withlacoochee State Trail
Withlacoochee State Trail
Withlacoochee State Trail is a long paved, multi-use, non-motorized rail trail in Florida located in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties.-The route:The southern terminus is at U.S. 98/301 south of Trilby, then runs north where it crosses over U.S...
, which replaced a former Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad was an American railroad that existed between 1900 and 1967, when it merged with the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, its long-time rival, to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad...
line, runs between two of the chained lakes, with small bridges replacing former railroad trestle crossings. The trail offers access to 46 continuous miles of enjoyment for biking, jogging and walking. The Inverness Trailhead can be found on North Apopka Avenue(CR 470) across from the trail crossing and Liberty Park.
Other parks in Inverness include Wallace Brooks Park, Whispering Pines Park, the Henderson Lake boat ramps, and Fort Cooper State Park
Fort Cooper State Park
Fort Cooper State Park is a historic site in Inverness, Florida, United States. It is located two miles south of Inverness, on U.S. 41 on South Old Floral City Road. On June 13, 1972, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places...
, just south of the city.
Further reading
- Dunn, Hampton. Back Home A History Of Citrus County, Florida. Inverness: Fla., 1976
- Rooks, Justine.” Remember When.” Citrus County Chronicle August 1, 1998.
External links
- City of Inverness official website
- The Great American Cooter Festival