Located in Big Tree Park near the parking area and playground is a landmark bald cypress tree, The…read morePhoenix. Bald Cypress trees are a deciduous tree found in swamps, wet stream banks, and bottom lands in the southern part of the United States. They can reach heights of 80-130 feet and diameters of 8-13 feet. Cypress trees belong to the large group of plants called conifers meaning they produce cones that hold their seeds. Cypress wood is very durable resisting rotting and pests making it a popular choice for fences, docks, and other outdoor structures. Cypresses trees are also found in gardens and parks. They are notable for being one of the very few trees that can survive in standing water. What makes The Phoenix tree so special is that it is a clone of another cypress tree that used to be in the park, The Senator. The Senator was the Florida state champion Bald Cypress tree and was 3,500 years old. On January 16, 2012, The Senator was burned down in an arson fire by Winter Park resident, Sara Barnes. Some of the wood from The Senator was given to artists and you can see the pieces they created in the Seminole History Museum. Before The Senator was lost, the forward thinking Mr. Laymond Hardy, a high school teacher with a strong interest in cypress, worked with Mr. Marvin Buchannan of Central Florida Lands and Timber Nursery and Dr. Donald L. Rockwood of the University of Florida, to develop a seed orchard of selected cypress trees in the 1990's. Mr. Hardy thought to include The Senator and collected several of its branches for cloning. Branches were grafted onto root stock, propagated, and The Phoenix was planted in the park in 2013. The Phoenix has the exact genetic makeup of The Senator. Local schoolchildren chose the name The Phoenix after the bird that rises from the ashes. While the story of The Senator is a tragic one, The Phoenix represents new hope.

I remember when we lost the Senator and the Phoenix was first planted. Just a little sprig of wood…read morewith a fence around it. But look at her now!!!! She's growing up strong and getting bigger everyday. She's right next to the playground at the entrance of the park and is already home to so much wildlife. This is a big part of recent Florida history so bring your kids by to play on the playground and see the tree that has survived incredible odds! I am so proud of the Phoenix and give high praise to Florida for the tribute they have created for the Senator.

The PD needs coaching and improvement as I experienced a minor case of harassment and the officer…read moredelayed response to me as he promised and then his supervisor needs extra clarification when I was abundantly clear in my email to her. I pray I don't get injured in this city.

This city is the location where "The Senator" which was the biggest and oldest pond cypress tree in…read morethe world stood in Big Tree Park, Longwood, Florida. It stood tall for more than 3,500 years surviving hurricanes, lighting storms, etc., but was destroyed in one night by Sara Barnes who said it was her favorite place to do drugs when she was arrested she was in possession of methamphetamine and photos of this magnificent tree burning who says drugs don't kill...

While I am very familiar with the blue markers of the state wide Florida Historical Marker Program,…read moreoccasionally I will come across a county or city historic marker. On a recent walk through Red Bug Lake Park, I discovered that Seminole County has their own historic marker program. Historic markers are a great way to learn about the formative people, buildings, and events in Florida's history. This marker was erected in 2023 by The Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation with support from the Casselberry Historical Society and the Seminole County Historical Society. It recounts the important WWII contributions made by the actress Hedy Lamarr who passed away in Casselberry at the age of 85 on January 19, 2000. According to this marker, famed Golden Age of Hollywood actress and inventor Hedy Lemarr had a home near Red Bug Lake Park in the later years of her life. Hedy was born Hedwig Eva Marie Kiesler on November 9, 1914, in Austria to Emil and Gertrude Kiesler and she was raised in the Jewish faith. In 1938 she came to the U.S. and became a naturalized citizen in 1953. She went on to star in two dozen movies, including the notable Samson and Delilah directed by Cecil B. DeMille. During WWII, Hedy and George Antheil received U.S. patent number No. 2,292,387 for their Secret Communication System. Hedy explored potential military applications for radio technology. She theorized that varying radio frequencies at irregular intervals would prevent interception or jamming of transmissions, thereby creating an innovative communication system. Together she and Antheil designed a way to help the U.S. Navy against Nazi Germany by allowing spread spectrum and frequency jumping of radio waves in torpedo guidance systems. This technology was later used to make Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth technology possible. The National Inventor's Hall of Fame posthumously inducted Lemarr and Anthiel in 2014. Her invention has led Heddy Lamar to be known as the mother of Wi-Fi.

Who knew that Hedy Lemarr had a connection to Oviedo, Florida? I certainly did not until today as I…read morewas walking around Red Bug Lake Park and came across this historical marker. Hedy Lamarr was n incredibly popular actress back in the golden age of film making. She starred in over two dozen movies including the Cecil B. DeMille classic "Sampson and Delilah." What many do not realize is that in addition to her beauty, Hedy Lamarr was not only incredibly intelligent, but she was also the co-onventor of a "secret communication system," which allowed frequency jumping in radio waves. This later was beneficial with WiFi and cellular phone technology possible. It appears that Lamarr relocated to the Oviedo, Florida area and this is where she passed away back in 2000. I love finding these historical markers that connect us to a community's past.

Lady Liberty is a historic Bald Cypress tree located at the end of the boardwalk in Big Tree Park…read morein Longwood. Bald Cypress trees are a deciduous tree found in swamps, wet stream banks, and bottom lands in the southern part of the United States. They can reach heights of 80-130 feet and diameters of 8-13 feet. Cypress trees belong to the large group of plants called conifers meaning they produce cones that hold their seeds. Cypress wood is very durable resisting rotting and pests making it a popular choice for fences, docks, and other outdoor structures. Cypresses trees are also found in gardens and parks. They are notable for being one of the very few trees that can survive in standing water. Lady Liberty is 2,000 years old. She stand over 82 feet tall with a trunk circumference of 394 inches and a crown spread of 34 feet. Lady Liberty was a sister tree to The Senator. For that reason for many years she was simply called The Companion. The Senator was the Florida state champion Bald Cypress tree that was 3,500 years old. On January 16, 2012, The Senator was burned down in a drug fueled arson fire by Winter Park resident, Sara Barnes. In 2005, Geneva Elementary School held a contest to find a better name for the tree. Two fifth graders won with the name Lady Liberty. They chose the name because one of the tree's branches stands at an angle which looks like the uplifted arm of the Statue of Liberty. Also in 2005 the county extended the boardwalk to reach the tree and installed a fence around it to keep people out. A historic marker erected by Seminole County was placed near the tree. Archangel Ancient Tree Archive has obtained cuttings from the tree to propagate it for future generations. Clones of the tree will be planted in a living archive, replanted at the site. and donated to schools and various organizations in Florida. I feel lucky to have gotten the chance to visit Lady Liberty. I love nature and have explored many historic and natural places in Florida, some with their own majestic trees but there is something so special and awe inspiring about Lady Liberty. You have to stand next to her to feel it. To think of all the history she has withstood in the past 2,000 years gave me chills.

While I am very familiar with the blue markers of the state wide Florida Historical Marker Program,…read moreoccasionally I will come across a county or city historic marker. On a recent walk around City Hall, I found this marker erected by the Seminole County Historic Society. Historic markers are a great way to learn about the formative people, buildings, and events in Florida's history. Hibbard Casselberry is the founder of Casselberry, Florida. In 1926 he came to the area to visit his family in Winter Park. At the time the surrounding area was a fern farm that grew asparagus plumosis ferns for the florist industry. Casselberry became the sales manager for Fern Park Estates but left to plat his own subdivision, Winter Park Ferneries which became known as Fern Park. Throughout the 1930's he continued to develop his fernery and real estate business. This marker recounts how the City of Casselberry was initially tax free. Mr. Gordon Barnett, a local former state legislator proposed a town charter for Fern Park that included property taxes. Mr. Casselberry's Countered with a tax free proposal and and he agreed to pay out of pocket any necessary costs needed by the town. On October 10th, 1940, the tax-free Town of Casselberry including parts of Fern Park Estates was officially incorporated and Mr. Casselberry lent his name to the town and served as its first mayor. For many years the town proudly boasted of being tax free. On May 16, 1965 a new governing City Council was created and they levied the first ad valorem property tax in 1976.

Casselberry City Hall is just off of 17-92 and has a pleasant enough park next to it and a…read moresculpture garden on the grounds. Overall, it is a peaceful place and has good parking if you are here to do business.

Small museum which also shows local artist work on occasion…read more Came here whilst having a little wander round the area. Interesting place to come to find out more. Free entry with lots of information about the area and people along with various displays and photos to look at. Wouldn't necessarily make this my mission to see but worth popping in if you are passing by.

Lots of old…read morestuff The Lake Mary Historical Museum is a cool old building that was built back in 1926 as a community center. It then served as the town hall from 1973 to 1996 and now it serves as the historical museum and historical society. The building isn't particular large but has a wonderful front porch and an interior that is stuffed full of cool artifacts and displays. The exhibitions change from time to time and when I went the the theme was Honor our Military. Lots of old helmets, uniforms, models, magazines, papers and other stuff that represents the military, especially Lake Mary's contribution to the various wars. They manage to get quite of bit of stuff in here, especially since the front of the building also has to serve as a meeting place for the historical society and needs open space for tables and chairs. Other exhibitions show and emphasize different aspects of Lake Mary's past so there is something new displayed frequently. The people working here are exceptional friendly and nice and will answer any possible questions you might have and the museum even has a small gift shop. A cool little museum for anyone wanting to know about the history of Lake Mary.

The Old Folks Home is a beloved part of the history of Seminole County. It is believed to be the…read moreonly County run Old Folks Home left in existence in Florida. The Old Folks Home was built in 1926. At that time Seminole County was only 12 years old. Social Security did not yet exist and there was a need for a place where seniors who were destitute and had no one to care for them could live. The Seminole County Board of Commissioners approved $9,020.00 to purchase 82 acres where a County Home for the poor could be created. The board spent $35,306.00 to build the home. Every resident had a private room and they shared chores and activities creating a family atmosphere. A large orange grove provided a modest income, and residents tended a vegetable garden. Chickens, hogs, and dairy cows helped to make them almost self sufficient. A superintendent and his family lived on site and a nurse, Miss Rachel Lee from Mississippi was available for sick residents until 1964. In 1965 this building was converted into offices for the County Agricultural and the Home Demonstration Agent until November 1980, when the new agricultural building was completed. The building was vacant until 1982 when the County Commission approved the establishment of a Historical Museum in the former Old Folks Home. You can now visit this historical building and see displays related to the history of Central Florida.

At 9am in the morning, we were able to breeze in and breeze out. The lady at the counter was very…read morepatient and helpful to my 90 year old Dad. The building was huge inside, and a variety of services are available. Very nice post office.

Very fast post office with little to no lines. Great customer service; courteous and helpful…read more Most of the staff have been here for a very long time. They recognize the locals and will strike up a conversation just because. They have the automated machine and will get the mail in the po boxes usually by the time they open. No complaints here!!!

This marker is at the entrance to the Altamonte Springs Library and points out the history of the…read morebuilding that is no longer. I enjoyed the history as I'm often surprised by how long people lived in this part of Central Florida. It is in excellent condition. The marker is on two sides. It reads, "Each winter for 70 years the social life of Altamonte Springs shifted to this Hotel. A 3 story wooden hotel was erected on this site in 1882/1883 just two years after the railroad from Sanford to Orlando was built. The Altamonte Land, Hotel and Navigation Company acquired 1,200 acres of land, extending from the railroad station more than a mile west, with the intent of creating a "Little Boston" for northern residents who wished to winter in a more salubrious climate. The hotel with accommodations for 150 guests was located on the northern end of Lake Orienta. Nathaniel Jeremiah Bradlee, a Bostonian, designed the hotel. Joseph M. Lewis, also of Boston, was the contractor and it opened in February of 1883." On the reverse, "Until the Jacksonville/Sanford railroad connection was made in 1886, guests had to travel from Jacksonville to Sanford by steamboat. At the Altamonte station guests boarded a donkey-drawn tram to reach the Hotel. The donkey's name was "Dixie Flyer." Noted for its fine dining fare, guests used Lake Orienta for many events including fishing contests, pleasure boating and rowing regattas. Other activities offered by the hotel included golf, tennis, bowling, horseback riding, swimming, hunting, concerts and plays. Over the years improvements were added to the hotel. After WWI an annex was added and later enlarged. At a gala New Year's Eve party in 1900, gas lights were first lit; telephone service came in 1917 and electric lights in 1923. In 1901 the hotel was purchased by George Bates. He and his son, Everett operated it from 1912-1913 season (Dec. 1 to April) until it was destroyed in a fire in the summer of 1953." There is parking in the lot. Stop in and check it out, especially if you're visiting the library. [Review 19309 overall - 1657 in Florida - 279 of 2023.]

RIP to the Senator "Big Tree". I remember coming to this…read morepark many times as a kid. I remember watching the news report the day it happened! The park still has a great amount of trees and animals to view and is still a nice park to walk around. There are offspring of the Big Tree still growing in the park around there kids park area.

Big Tree is a historic marker in Big Tree Park in Longwood. It was erected by Seminole County to…read morecommemorate Big Tree which was later known as The Senator. Big Tree was an ancient bald cypress tree that once majestically stood here. Big Tree was the Florida State Champion Bald Cypress tree and was believed to be 3,500 years old. Native Americans like the Seminoles used the tree as a landmark and it was a tourist attraction throughout the 1800's. In 1925 a hurricane reduced the height of the tree from 165 feet to 118 feet. For most of it's life, Big Tree was located in a swamp and could only be reached by jumping from log to log. After the Great Depression , the Works Progress Administration built a boardwalk to the tree. In 1929 former President Calvin Coolidge and his wife who were frequent visitors to Mount Dora dedicated a bronze plaque at Big Tree. The plaque and portions of an iron fence were stolen by vandals in 1945. In 1927, after the death of Florida State Senator M.O. Overstreet, the tree and surrounding land was donated for a park to Seminole County. The Overstreet family owned the Overstreet Turpentine Co and were major landowners during the lumber and turpentine era. The donation from Senator Overstreet led to Big Tree's often-used nickname, The Senator. On January 16, 2012, The Senator was burned down in a drug fueled arson fire by Winter Park resident, Sara Barnes. Barnes started a fire to keep warm while smoking crystal meth in a hollow space in the trunk. In October 2013, Seminole County officials allowed a small, select group of artists and woodworkers to take pieces of wood from The Senator and create art from it that is now displayed in the Museum of Seminole County History. Today a memorial has been set up around the remaining trunk of The Senator. In the playground there is a play piece that mimics a bald cypress tree stump. Next to the playground a clone tree of The Senator was planted named The Phoenix.