DeBary Population: 15,559 With its lakeside state park, Gemini springs, its recreational access to the St. Johns at Highbanks and its fine homes along pristine golf course fairways, DeBary is a sought-after city with small town stature.

Lake Mary Population: 11,458 Although Lake Mary’s beginning dates back to the 19th century, it did not become an incorporated city until August 7, 1973. The City began primarily as a citrus-based agricultural community. In the early seventies, as the Disney development surge pushed northward, Lake Mary began to transform into a semi- rural bedroom community serving Orlando. During the late eighties and early nineties the city experienced tremendous growth in residential development as well as economic development center with hundreds of thousands of square feet of office, retail and industrial us

Altamonte Springs Population: 41,200 Altamonte Springs boasts a dynamic mix of fine retail establishments, hotels, upscale office and commercial space, abundant restaurants and housing in all price ranges. In addition to single-family and multi-family homes nestled in lakeside and tree-shaded communities, Altamonte Springs is in the midst of some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Central Florida.

Longwood Population: 13,745 Longwood was established during the 1800′s right after the Seminole War. Many Forts were located in this area to keep out the Seminoles, so naturally the Settlers moved right in. It was founded by a Raillway man named E. W. Henck and a door and blind builder named Peter Demens. It was built as a station between Sanford and Orlando.

Oviedo Population: 26,316 Oviedo, Florida was founded in 1914, as a small suburban farming town outside of Orlando. At first, the city was comprised of about 40 families just of the shore of Lake Gasp. The town quickly grew, and continues to grow today. Oviedo officially became a city in 1925, almost 65 years after settlers began moving to the location. Its excellent location, just outside of Orlando and only a few miles from the University Of Central Florida, offers the feeling of being in both a very developed yet small town.

Winter Springs Population: 31,645 Winter Springs, Tuskawilla came to be when a New York merchant made a fortune in lumbering and trade with the Spanish. The holdings from Spanish land grants included the land, later named Winter Springs. Fewer than 600 people were residents of the area when it was incorporated as North Orlando in 1959. Now, Winter Springs is home to over 31,000 people, and has the largest area of the county’s seven cities.

Orlando Population: 185,951 The Seminole people lived in the region of present-day Orlando before white settlers arrived in the late 1830s. Fort Gatlin was built near the site of today’s city during the Second Seminole War, and Orlando grew up around it. First named Jernigan for a local trader, the city adopted its current name in 1857. Orlando’s economy depended on cotton cultivation until the American Civil War (1861-1865), and for a time after the war the city earned a reputation as a lawless cattle town. Orlando was incorporated as a city in 1875; the railroad arrived in 1880. In the 1890s citrus production became the primary economic force, although local cultivation had begun some years earlier. For the next half century Orlando remained an obscure county seat and citrus processing center, a small city almost completely untouched by the state’s boom in tourism and development that was concentrated along Florida’s southern Atlantic coastline. The character of the city was dramatically transformed after 1965, when plans were announced to convert about about 27,000 acres of swampland into Walt Disney World (which opened in 1971). Today Orlando is known far and wide as one of the world’s most important tourist destinations with more than 88,000 hotel rooms, 3000 restaurants and 66 attractions.

Apopka Population: 26,642 Apopka name was derived from a great lake just to the south west. The Apopkan Indians had named this lake. Apopka’s original name was Apopka City but then was shortened to just Apopka. The City of Apopka is one of the fastest growing communities in Central Florida both in residential and commercial markets. Apopka shares measurably in our state’s vast citrus market. Much farming also contributes greatly to the economy of the city of Apopka. Excellent outdoor recreational activities are available in abundance in the Apopka area.

Ocoee Population: 24,391 The settlement of Ocoee began when Dr. J. D. Starke led a group of slaves into the area in the mid 1850s. Many of the men, including Starke, were stricken with malaria and hoped by moving they could escape further outbreaks.

Winter Park Population: 24,090 Winter Park is a nature lover’s dream destination. The Parks Division is currently in charge of over 70 parks, all home to various events, festivals and celebrations throughout the year–or just home to a place to sit in the shade and enjoy a beautiful Central Florida afternoon.

Orange County
Orange County Schools
Newspaper – Orlando Sentinel
Public Parks
Churches

City Websites:
Apopka
Maitland
Orlando
Ocoee
Winter Park

Chamber of Commerce:
Apopka
Maitland
Orlando
Winter Park
West Orange

Utilities:
Florida Power (407) 629-1010
Orlando Utilities Commission (407) 423-9018
Orange County Water (407) 836-5515
Recycling Hotline (800) 732-9253

Phone:
Bellsouth (800) 986-2355
Sprint/United Telephone (800) 339-1811

Cable:
Cablevision Industries (407) 656-3327
Stellar Communications, Inc (407) 772-0111
TCI of Central Florida (407) 869-6600
Brighthouse 1-877-892-EASY

Law Enforcement:
Emergency 911
Orange County Sheriff Non-Emergency (407) 836-8628
Orlando Police Department (407) 246-2470

Hospitals
Arnold Palmer Hospital For Children & Women (407) 849-9111
Florida Hospital (main campus) 407/303-5600
Florida Hospital Apopka 407/889-1000
Orlando Regional Lucerne Hospital (407) 649-6111
Orlando Regional Medical Center (407) 841-5111
Orlando Regional Sand Lake 407 351-8500

Voter Registration (407) 836-2070

Kissimmee / Osceola County offers the best of all worlds. Blessed with a rich heritage and bountiful landscape in the heartland of Central Florida, Osceola County has attracted visitors and new residents for centuries. Well known for its year-round desirable climate and abundant recreational opportunities, Kissimmee has become the fourth fastest growing county in the United States.

St. Cloud is a small family oriented town right outside of Orlando. They have 2.5 miles of beautiful lakefront and an extensive parks program. They have a wonderful historic downtown with character and our schools are high rated. St. Cloud is adjacent to the Florida Turnpike making travel to Orlando and the International Airport only a 25 minute drive away.

Tampa is a deepwater port at the head of Tampa Bay and the mouth of the Hillsborough River. Tampa Bay has served both as recreation for residents and economics for the city.

The city is a major seaport serving a region in which cattle, citrus fruits, vegetables, and phosphates are produced. It is also a commercial, financial, and service center and is one of Florida’s leading manufacturing centers; products include processed food, electronic components, printed materials, communications equipment, and construction materials.

The city is served by the award winning Tampa International Airport, the Port of Tampa, a deep-water port and an area railway system. It is also the seat of the University of Tampa (1931), Tampa College (1890), and the University of South Florida (1956).

Many of the nation’s leading corporations have a presence in Tampa. As an example, some of our major employers are: Publix Supermarkets, Eckerd Drug Stores, Outback Steakhouse, Walter Industries, Florida Progress, TECO Energy, CitiCorp, Nations Bank, Sunshine Network, and many more.

Ybor City, a historic shopping, dining and nightlife district east of downtown, is a picturesque Latin quarter where the cigar industry was centered

Local Parks, museums, galleries and recreation adventures abound – The Tampa Museum of Art, The Museum of Science and Industry, The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, The Florida Aquarium and the Lowry Park Zoo are just some of the exceptional cultural venues available to you as a resident of Tampa.
Also located here are Bush Gardens, an amusement park with a zoo of African animals and tropical gardens. Another Bush theme park is Adventure Island, a water theme park perfect for families and cooling off.

Tampa is home to many professional sports franchises such as the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers, MLS Tampa Bay Mutiny, NHL The Tampa Bay Lightning, Yankees’ Minor League Baseball and the world champion AFL Tampa Bay Storm. Don’t forget the golf! Tampa is home to many of Florida’s finest golf courses and some of the world’s finest country clubs.

Tampa Bay was explored by the Spanish soldier Pánfilo de Narváez in 1528. The site, however, was not settled until 1823, when a plantation was established. Fort Brooke was built here the next year. Tampa was incorporated as a city in 1855. Confederate forces occupied the fort at the start of the American Civil War, surrendering it to Union troops in May 1864. Growth of the community was spurred by the discovery of phosphates in 1883, the arrival of the railroad in 1885, and the establishment of the cigar-making industry in 1886. During the Spanish-American War (1898) Tampa was an army training camp; Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders used the city as an embarkation point for Cuba, where they launched the celebrated charge at the Battle of San Juan Hill. In 1953 the city greatly increased its area and population by the incorporation of surrounding suburbs. Tampa Bay is a diverse area with vast development both commercially and residentially. The warm climate in this tropical paradise make it a fantastic place for all ages to live. The average temperature year round is 73 degrees with 361 average days of sunshine per year.

Entertainment activities span from world-famous museums to beaches, historic communities like Ybor City, deepwater ports and professional sports including NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers, MLS Tampa Bay Mutiny, NHL The Tampa Bay Lightning, Yankees’ Minor League Baseball, the world champion AFL Tampa Bay Storm and the newly acquired Tampa Bay Devil Ray’s Professional Baseball team. Kids and adults alike will love the theme parks available: Bush Gardens, Adventure Island, Lowry Park Zoo, The Florida Aquarium, only to name a few. Not to mention the hundreds of lush parks in this area. Come explore the unique opportunities of this metropolitan area. Schools are a tremendous asset to the Tampa Bay area with 19 colleges/universities, 10 public and 60 private vocational schools as well as a growing number of elementary, middle and high schools. Tampa Bay takes pride in the learning process and is taking an active role in the area’s youth. You need only to drive by one of our area’s schools to see the many activities our youth enjoy from soccer to swimming to football and many more. Contact us for information on areas to live, price ranges, life styles, schools, crime statistics, cultural institutions, clubs, organizations, employment opportunities, mortgage rates and qualification criteria, etc.

Schools / Public
Hillsborough Schools
Public Parks
Tampa Chamber of Commerce
Churches
Newspaper – Tampa Tribune
Utilities – Phone 800-483-4200
Utilities – Electricity 813-223-0800

Utilities – Water:
Hillsborough County: 813-272-6680
City of Tampa: 813-274-8121
Temple Terrace: 813-989-7170
Plant City: 813-757-9172

Utilties – Solid Waste
Hillsborough County: 813-272-1500
City of Tampa: 813-348-111 (Residential)
City of Tampa: 813-348-1100 (Commercial)
Temple Terrace: 813-989-7170

Beaches
The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is Florida’s Beach and so much more. The most popular vacation spot on Florida’s West Coast, the area consists of 26 distinct communities ranging from Greek fishing villages to barrier island beach communities.
Florida International University professor Dr. Stephen Leatherman rates three St. Petersburg/Clearwater area beaches among the finest in the country, including Clearwater Beach – the #1 city beach in the Gulf Region. Given the tropical climate and almost 400 miles of coastline, it is little surprise that activities on or near the water are focal points for visitors. More than 60 marinas and yacht clubs provide every type of water activity imaginable.

Activities are not restricted to the water. Golf and tennis play an important role with more than 40 courses in the county, and for those feeling lucky, greyhound and thoroughbred racing are available. Sunsets are a specialty and signal the beginning of an exciting array of nightlife options.

St. Petersburg was first explored by Juan Ponce de Leon when he arrived in Florida in 1521. The city was later incorporated in 1892 with a population near 300 people. The railroads and fishing were the cornerstone to this great city’s growth. Today, seafood continues to be an area specialty, as it is always fresh, plentiful and reasonable.
Dining can be as formal or a casual as one prefers. There are more than 78 major shopping centers and modern malls and a variety of quaint, waterfront villages for arts and antiques.
Art and history are celebrated throughout the year at numerous festivals, shows and museums including the Salvador Dali Museum, Florida International Museum, Florida Holocaust Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg Museum of History and more.

The area’s public parks and nature trails are a showcase for Florida’s natural beauty. Florida’s famous man-made attractions are nearby and the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area has a collection of attractions of its own including festive Piers, a Seabird Sanctuary and Marine Aquarium.

Variety is characteristic of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area. One can slip away from the beach and enjoy all the features of a metropolitan area, spend a day on a deserted island, or wander through a pioneer village. Families, couples and business travelers all return again and again. Once you have experienced the area firsthand, it is not hard to see why.

St. Petersburg / Clearwater Utility Information
Pinellas County Schools
Newspaper – St. Pete Times
St. Pete Chamber of Commerce
Public Parks
Utilities – water and waste
Utilities – electricity (727) 443-2641
Utilities – Phone 800-483-4200
City of St. Petersburg
Churches
Official St. Petersburg Area Travel Site