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Tavares - The “Capital” of Lake County
Before Spanish ownership up to eventual Florida statehood, Tavares has always been a center.
At first, geographical… Tavares sits midway on the peninsula. Native tribes found the highlands overlooking the
lakes to be a safe location from the storms of the coast. Later, Tavares became a transportation center. It was the
boat that first led settlement, as Tavares is connected by navigable waterway system to the Atlantic Ocean via the
Ocklawaha River to the St. Johns’ River, which empties to the ocean.
However, it was the train that populated Lake County. Conveniently located northwest of Orlando, Tavares saw a
major line enter from the south. Another line from Jacksonville entered from the north, from Eustis. A line through
Mount Dora led to Sanford and a line west extended to a rail hub in Wildwood. Back in the 19th century, Major St.
Clair Abrams possessed a vision for Tavares. He not only oversaw the development of the hub of rail lines
converging in Tavares, he saw the future capital of the state waiting to be realized.
Had it not been for an inadvertent fire 120 years ago, the major’s vision of Tavares being the state capital may have
become reality. The spark from a train ignited the adjacent lumberyard in the downtown, destroying three dozen
buildings in a matter of minutes. That same year, the Florida legislature removed Tavares from consideration as a
potential new center of state government. Although the times have changed, one factor remains a constant for
Tavares. It is the center of government for Lake County and it is, therefore, Lake County’s Capital City.
Downtown Tavares
Thus, Downtown Tavares continues to evolve as a government center, while the city’s vision is a New Urbanist
community where walking is a viable option and jobs are close to homes. The community embraces its amenities
such as trailways, waterways and railways. In addition to the amazing lakes connected by the Dora Canal and Dead
River, the city boats a burgeoning trails plan that features the now-complete Tav-Lee trail, connecting Downtown
Tavares with the commercial corridor in eastern Leesburg.
Tavares also has plans to participate in plans for a commuter rail service from Downtown Tavares to downtown
Orlando, with services to begin as early as 2015. The 21st century holds much potential for Lake County’s capital.
Major St. Clair Abrams would be proud.
Government
Since 1888, Tavares has reigned as the seat of a county just slightly smaller in area than the state of Rhode Island.
The lakeside government complex houses many county government offices, including the Board of County
Commissioners, the constitutional offices of the county, and the Judicial Center.
Downtown Tavares is a true governmental center, with county offices on the western side and Tavares City Hall on
the eastern side of downtown and the Lake County School District offices located on the northern edge of the city
center. Things have changed quickly for Lake County’s capital. The population in Tavares is close to 15,000.
Meanwhile, the county population has jumped from 210,000 in 2000 to nearly 300,000, creating a major demand on
county governmental services.
Education
In the city center is Tavares Elementary School and Tavares High School, a circa 1930s campus that is a major
center of community activity, especially when the Tavares Bulldogs play. Tavares Middle School sits in the southern
portion of the city. The administrative offices of the Lake County School District are located in Tavares. The offices
include those of the Lake County School Board and Superintendent.
Lake-Sumter Community College is just 10 minutes west in Leesburg. Lake Tech Vocational School is in
neighboring Eustis. The University of Central Florida is a little over an hour away. In Lake County, almost any crowd
of friends will hail at least one University of Florida Gator or a Florida State University Seminole.
Business
Being the center of government provides an opportunity for attorneys and legal support services, surveyors and
engineers, and many small businesses. Tavares also boasts a booming medical corridor centered around Florida
Hospital Waterman on Burleigh Boulevard (US 441).
The community is also home to several unique industries, such as G&T Conveyors, a custom baggage conveyance
manufacturer for many airports, and Trident Pontoon Company, a custom pontoon boat manufacturer that ships
globally.
Tavares features one of the largest employment centers in Lake County. Southridge Industrial Park, at CR 561 and
CR 448 is home to several major employers, like Florida Made Doors, 84 Lumber and Blue Rhino Propane. The job
center is served by the Florida Central Railroad, providing freight services into Orlando.
The largest employer in Tavares is government. More than 1,500 Tavares jobs are in public service ranging from
city to county, from school district to state positions.
Housing
For historic living, Tavares still retains the charm of its early years. Throughout the downtown, homes from
throughout the last century mix as do their occupants in a melding of ages, income and origin.
The community has undergone an expansion through the last decade, adding homes near the hospital and closing
the gaps between Eustis and Mount Dora. The city has also expanded to the south, beginning with the retirement
community of Royal Harbor. New neighborhoods are growing along the SR 19 corridor toward Howey-in –the-Hills.
The community is seeing a shift from the mobile home parks of the 1960s and 1970s to adult communities in
apartment, townhome and assisted living settings. Property values in Florida have jumped in recent years. But
Tavares remains extremely competitive in making housing dollars stretch.
Health Services
Tavares has emerged a health care center thanks to the recent location of Florida Hospital Waterman. Although the
facility relocated from downtown Eustis to Burleigh Boulevard (US 441) in Tavares, the hospital complex continues
to serve Mount Dora, Eustis and the eastern Lake County area.
Several other major hospitals are located nearby, including Leesburg Regional Medical Center, South Lake
Hospital, The Villages Regional Medical Center, and Orlando Regional Medical Center. Lifestreams Behavioral
Center in Leesburg provides mental health services. Tavares is home to dozens of physicians, specialists,
dentists, technicians and suppliers. Tavares also has a couple of walk-in clinics, such as Riverside Urgent Care
located on US 441 west.
Waterways, Trailways & Railways
Unique to Tavares is that the city rests upon an isthmus, or a land bridge between lakes. Downtown Tavares sits on
the shores of Lake Dora, while Lake Eustis lies to the north and Lake Harris is to the west and south. Meanwhile,
1,400 named lakes, ranging in size from one acre to that of 22-square-mile Lake Harris are splashed across the
1,156 square miles of Lake County. Linking Lake Dora and Lake Eustis is what National Geographic referred to as
“the most beautiful mile of waterway in the world,” the Dora Canal.
The canal, dug in the 1930s, replaced what was previously known as the Elfin River. The waterway provides a
glimpse of “old Florida,” complete with cypress trees, Spanish moss, waterfowl... and gators. Boat excursions are
available to provide tours of the area’s waterways.
Recreation & Golf
Lake County is blessed with beautiful lands and waterways set aside for public enjoyment. The community is also
home to many golf courses, public and private. Tavares is home to Baytree Golf Course, while dozens of courses
can be found within minutes, such as Mission Inn in Howey-in-the-Hills and Black Bear Golf Club in Eustis.
If it is nature you want, Tavares has several locations to enjoy the outdoors. Wooton Park in Downtown Tavares is
not only the location of many events, the park also features Wooton Wonderland, a huge wooden playground
protected under a canopy of oak trees. The lakeside park also features a boat ramp and fishing dock and is home to
the dragon boats of the Central Florida Dragon Boat Festival. The boats can be seen from time to time on Lake
Dora.
Tavares also has great canoe and kayak access to the Dora Canal via Summerall Park, just west of Downtown
Tavares. Boat access to Lake Eustis can be gained from Tavares Recreation Area, located on US 441, west of
Tavares between the Dora Canal and Dead River. Lake Harris can be accessed through a gem of a public facility,
Hickory Point Park, a project of the Lake County Water Authority. All large local lakes are navigable and connected,
including Lake Dora, which is connected to Lake Eustis via the Dora Canal. Lake Eustis is connected to Lake
Harris via the Dead River. Lake Eustis is connected to Lake Griffin via Haynes Creek.
The Tav-Lee Trail features recreational and transportation opportunities, as the non-motorized trail leads west from
Downtown Tavares to the commercial area along US 441 in eastern Leesburg. Plans call for the trail to connect
east to Mount Dora and perhaps Eustis.
Several other hidden jewels can be found throughout Tavares. Contact the Chamber or the City Parks & Recreation
Department for more details. In Lake County, so many nature and recreation areas exist that they cannot be named
here. The highlights include the Ocala National Forest, Wekiva Springs State Park, and Lake Louisa State Park.
Contact the Chamber for more information.
Shopping & Dining
The community is home to many hometown businesses providing essential services and products. Tavares also
has its share of unique restaurants. Perhaps you are looking for great food and spirits from a classic Irish tavern.
You would find downtown’s O’Keefe’s Irish Tavern & Restaurant much to your liking. If you are looking for gourmet
cuisine, you are likely to enjoy El Conquistador, one of several fine eating establishments at Mission Inn.
Angelo’s Italian Restaurant, on US 441 west, provides the authenticity one seeks from a ristorante. Soups and
salads? You’ll enjoy Gracie’s Backporch Café on Main Street or Crisper’s, located in the medical area. Want a
downhome place for lunch? Try Soup to Nuts. Chain restaurants and retail stores of all brands can be found both
east and west along US 441. Top tier shopping can be found in the nearby metros of Sanford, Orlando and The
Villages.
But if you’re looking for hometown charm, contact the Chamber and we will be happy to direct you to a local
restaurant or business.
Calendar of Events
There are some mainstay Tavares events that are as traditional as apple pie. For example, as the capital of Lake
County, Tavares is host to the annual Independence Day Celebration, which features a festival in Wooton Park, a
parade down Main Street and dazzling fireworks to top-off the holiday.
Each December Downtown Tavares comes aglow with Light-Up Tavares. Tens of thousands of Christmas lights
transform Wooton Park and Main Street into a Florida winter wonderland.
November features the Taste of Tavares, a Chamber event. Many of the community’s best eating establishments
are center stage for a sampling of culinary delights. Patrons enjoy an evening of food, drink and song, with live
music, a wine tasting and plenty of tasty treats.
Truly unique to Tavares is the Central Florida Dragon Boat Festival. Moving into its sixth year, the spring festival
features dozens of teams, each with 20 paddlers, competing in dramatic 500-meter races in 40-foot-long dragon
boats from China. The festival is a partnership among the Chamber, the City of Tavares and the Rotary Club of
Tavares, which gave birth to the event.
Tavares is beginning to find a niche in water events. Plans continue to evolve for Wooton Park to play host to aquatic
events ranging from motorboat races to seaplane conventions. Contact the Chamber for more information.
Before Spanish ownership up to eventual Florida statehood, Tavares has always been a center.
At first, geographical… Tavares sits midway on the peninsula. Native tribes found the highlands overlooking the
lakes to be a safe location from the storms of the coast. Later, Tavares became a transportation center. It was the
boat that first led settlement, as Tavares is connected by navigable waterway system to the Atlantic Ocean via the
Ocklawaha River to the St. Johns’ River, which empties to the ocean.
However, it was the train that populated Lake County. Conveniently located northwest of Orlando, Tavares saw a
major line enter from the south. Another line from Jacksonville entered from the north, from Eustis. A line through
Mount Dora led to Sanford and a line west extended to a rail hub in Wildwood. Back in the 19th century, Major St.
Clair Abrams possessed a vision for Tavares. He not only oversaw the development of the hub of rail lines
converging in Tavares, he saw the future capital of the state waiting to be realized.
Had it not been for an inadvertent fire 120 years ago, the major’s vision of Tavares being the state capital may have
become reality. The spark from a train ignited the adjacent lumberyard in the downtown, destroying three dozen
buildings in a matter of minutes. That same year, the Florida legislature removed Tavares from consideration as a
potential new center of state government. Although the times have changed, one factor remains a constant for
Tavares. It is the center of government for Lake County and it is, therefore, Lake County’s Capital City.
Downtown Tavares
Thus, Downtown Tavares continues to evolve as a government center, while the city’s vision is a New Urbanist
community where walking is a viable option and jobs are close to homes. The community embraces its amenities
such as trailways, waterways and railways. In addition to the amazing lakes connected by the Dora Canal and Dead
River, the city boats a burgeoning trails plan that features the now-complete Tav-Lee trail, connecting Downtown
Tavares with the commercial corridor in eastern Leesburg.
Tavares also has plans to participate in plans for a commuter rail service from Downtown Tavares to downtown
Orlando, with services to begin as early as 2015. The 21st century holds much potential for Lake County’s capital.
Major St. Clair Abrams would be proud.
Government
Since 1888, Tavares has reigned as the seat of a county just slightly smaller in area than the state of Rhode Island.
The lakeside government complex houses many county government offices, including the Board of County
Commissioners, the constitutional offices of the county, and the Judicial Center.
Downtown Tavares is a true governmental center, with county offices on the western side and Tavares City Hall on
the eastern side of downtown and the Lake County School District offices located on the northern edge of the city
center. Things have changed quickly for Lake County’s capital. The population in Tavares is close to 15,000.
Meanwhile, the county population has jumped from 210,000 in 2000 to nearly 300,000, creating a major demand on
county governmental services.
Education
In the city center is Tavares Elementary School and Tavares High School, a circa 1930s campus that is a major
center of community activity, especially when the Tavares Bulldogs play. Tavares Middle School sits in the southern
portion of the city. The administrative offices of the Lake County School District are located in Tavares. The offices
include those of the Lake County School Board and Superintendent.
Lake-Sumter Community College is just 10 minutes west in Leesburg. Lake Tech Vocational School is in
neighboring Eustis. The University of Central Florida is a little over an hour away. In Lake County, almost any crowd
of friends will hail at least one University of Florida Gator or a Florida State University Seminole.
Business
Being the center of government provides an opportunity for attorneys and legal support services, surveyors and
engineers, and many small businesses. Tavares also boasts a booming medical corridor centered around Florida
Hospital Waterman on Burleigh Boulevard (US 441).
The community is also home to several unique industries, such as G&T Conveyors, a custom baggage conveyance
manufacturer for many airports, and Trident Pontoon Company, a custom pontoon boat manufacturer that ships
globally.
Tavares features one of the largest employment centers in Lake County. Southridge Industrial Park, at CR 561 and
CR 448 is home to several major employers, like Florida Made Doors, 84 Lumber and Blue Rhino Propane. The job
center is served by the Florida Central Railroad, providing freight services into Orlando.
The largest employer in Tavares is government. More than 1,500 Tavares jobs are in public service ranging from
city to county, from school district to state positions.
Housing
For historic living, Tavares still retains the charm of its early years. Throughout the downtown, homes from
throughout the last century mix as do their occupants in a melding of ages, income and origin.
The community has undergone an expansion through the last decade, adding homes near the hospital and closing
the gaps between Eustis and Mount Dora. The city has also expanded to the south, beginning with the retirement
community of Royal Harbor. New neighborhoods are growing along the SR 19 corridor toward Howey-in –the-Hills.
The community is seeing a shift from the mobile home parks of the 1960s and 1970s to adult communities in
apartment, townhome and assisted living settings. Property values in Florida have jumped in recent years. But
Tavares remains extremely competitive in making housing dollars stretch.
Health Services
Tavares has emerged a health care center thanks to the recent location of Florida Hospital Waterman. Although the
facility relocated from downtown Eustis to Burleigh Boulevard (US 441) in Tavares, the hospital complex continues
to serve Mount Dora, Eustis and the eastern Lake County area.
Several other major hospitals are located nearby, including Leesburg Regional Medical Center, South Lake
Hospital, The Villages Regional Medical Center, and Orlando Regional Medical Center. Lifestreams Behavioral
Center in Leesburg provides mental health services. Tavares is home to dozens of physicians, specialists,
dentists, technicians and suppliers. Tavares also has a couple of walk-in clinics, such as Riverside Urgent Care
located on US 441 west.
Waterways, Trailways & Railways
Unique to Tavares is that the city rests upon an isthmus, or a land bridge between lakes. Downtown Tavares sits on
the shores of Lake Dora, while Lake Eustis lies to the north and Lake Harris is to the west and south. Meanwhile,
1,400 named lakes, ranging in size from one acre to that of 22-square-mile Lake Harris are splashed across the
1,156 square miles of Lake County. Linking Lake Dora and Lake Eustis is what National Geographic referred to as
“the most beautiful mile of waterway in the world,” the Dora Canal.
The canal, dug in the 1930s, replaced what was previously known as the Elfin River. The waterway provides a
glimpse of “old Florida,” complete with cypress trees, Spanish moss, waterfowl... and gators. Boat excursions are
available to provide tours of the area’s waterways.
Recreation & Golf
Lake County is blessed with beautiful lands and waterways set aside for public enjoyment. The community is also
home to many golf courses, public and private. Tavares is home to Baytree Golf Course, while dozens of courses
can be found within minutes, such as Mission Inn in Howey-in-the-Hills and Black Bear Golf Club in Eustis.
If it is nature you want, Tavares has several locations to enjoy the outdoors. Wooton Park in Downtown Tavares is
not only the location of many events, the park also features Wooton Wonderland, a huge wooden playground
protected under a canopy of oak trees. The lakeside park also features a boat ramp and fishing dock and is home to
the dragon boats of the Central Florida Dragon Boat Festival. The boats can be seen from time to time on Lake
Dora.
Tavares also has great canoe and kayak access to the Dora Canal via Summerall Park, just west of Downtown
Tavares. Boat access to Lake Eustis can be gained from Tavares Recreation Area, located on US 441, west of
Tavares between the Dora Canal and Dead River. Lake Harris can be accessed through a gem of a public facility,
Hickory Point Park, a project of the Lake County Water Authority. All large local lakes are navigable and connected,
including Lake Dora, which is connected to Lake Eustis via the Dora Canal. Lake Eustis is connected to Lake
Harris via the Dead River. Lake Eustis is connected to Lake Griffin via Haynes Creek.
The Tav-Lee Trail features recreational and transportation opportunities, as the non-motorized trail leads west from
Downtown Tavares to the commercial area along US 441 in eastern Leesburg. Plans call for the trail to connect
east to Mount Dora and perhaps Eustis.
Several other hidden jewels can be found throughout Tavares. Contact the Chamber or the City Parks & Recreation
Department for more details. In Lake County, so many nature and recreation areas exist that they cannot be named
here. The highlights include the Ocala National Forest, Wekiva Springs State Park, and Lake Louisa State Park.
Contact the Chamber for more information.
Shopping & Dining
The community is home to many hometown businesses providing essential services and products. Tavares also
has its share of unique restaurants. Perhaps you are looking for great food and spirits from a classic Irish tavern.
You would find downtown’s O’Keefe’s Irish Tavern & Restaurant much to your liking. If you are looking for gourmet
cuisine, you are likely to enjoy El Conquistador, one of several fine eating establishments at Mission Inn.
Angelo’s Italian Restaurant, on US 441 west, provides the authenticity one seeks from a ristorante. Soups and
salads? You’ll enjoy Gracie’s Backporch Café on Main Street or Crisper’s, located in the medical area. Want a
downhome place for lunch? Try Soup to Nuts. Chain restaurants and retail stores of all brands can be found both
east and west along US 441. Top tier shopping can be found in the nearby metros of Sanford, Orlando and The
Villages.
But if you’re looking for hometown charm, contact the Chamber and we will be happy to direct you to a local
restaurant or business.
Calendar of Events
There are some mainstay Tavares events that are as traditional as apple pie. For example, as the capital of Lake
County, Tavares is host to the annual Independence Day Celebration, which features a festival in Wooton Park, a
parade down Main Street and dazzling fireworks to top-off the holiday.
Each December Downtown Tavares comes aglow with Light-Up Tavares. Tens of thousands of Christmas lights
transform Wooton Park and Main Street into a Florida winter wonderland.
November features the Taste of Tavares, a Chamber event. Many of the community’s best eating establishments
are center stage for a sampling of culinary delights. Patrons enjoy an evening of food, drink and song, with live
music, a wine tasting and plenty of tasty treats.
Truly unique to Tavares is the Central Florida Dragon Boat Festival. Moving into its sixth year, the spring festival
features dozens of teams, each with 20 paddlers, competing in dramatic 500-meter races in 40-foot-long dragon
boats from China. The festival is a partnership among the Chamber, the City of Tavares and the Rotary Club of
Tavares, which gave birth to the event.
Tavares is beginning to find a niche in water events. Plans continue to evolve for Wooton Park to play host to aquatic
events ranging from motorboat races to seaplane conventions. Contact the Chamber for more information.
