The city of Sanford, Florida, is found halfway between Orlando and Daytona. The city lies on the southern shore of Lake Monroe at the head of the St. Johns River. Known for its quaint charm, Sanford gives off a small-town feel with its old-fashioned brick streets, elegant Victorian homes, and scenic RiverWalk. The city's unique allure sets it apart from other Florida cities. Here are some fun and interesting facts about Sanford and its attractions.
Sanford Has Two Nicknames
Incorporated in 1877, Sanford is one of Central Florida's oldest cities. Henry Shelton Sanford helped develop Sanford and nearby Mellonville, hoping to create a key transportation hub for southern Florida. Due to Sanford's position at the navigation head of the St. Johns River, it became known as the "Historic Waterfront Gateway City." In the mid-1800s, commercial steamboat services helped Sanford become the epicenter for transport and goods in central Florida.
Sanford also developed as an agricultural center. During the 1870s, local farmers tested and developed over 50 varieties of citrus, including the Valencia orange, for cultivation in the Florida climate. However, after the harsh winter of 1894-5 destroyed an entire citrus crop, the focus shifted from citrus to commercial agriculture. Farmers developed a sub-irrigation system that allowed Sanford to become one of the top vegetable shipping centers in the United States at the turn of the century. Sanford's most successful crop earned the city its other nickname, "Celery City."
Sanford Had an Active Naval Base for Over 20 Years
Sanford had an active naval base from 1942 to1969 called Naval Air Station (NAS) Sanford. During World War II, NAS Sanford housed 360 officers, 1500 enlisted men, and 150 WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). The Navy used the base during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and in the 1960s it was home to nearly 4,000 military personnel. The Navy retired the base in 1968. NAS Sanford Memorial Park and two historical markers commemorate the Navy's historical presence in Sanford.
Sanford Has Its Own Airport
In 1969 the naval base became the property of the city of Sanford and was renamed Sanford Airport. In 1996, the airport started commercial airline services and changed its name to Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). Today SFB serves as Orlando's secondary commercial airport . SFB is much smaller than the nearby Orlando International Airport (MCO), which is Florida's busiest airport.
Sanford's Beautiful RiverWalk Trail Is the City's Pride
Sanford's scenic RiverWalk is a 4.5-mile multiuse trail that runs alongside Lake Monroe. The RiverWalk connects to the 210-mile Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail, which runs from St. Petersburg to the Space Coast. The city invested millions of dollars in this impressive project, and the result is an attractive trail perfect for hiking, biking, fishing, and sightseeing.
The paved trail features benches, pavilions, parks, playgrounds, and other attractions. You can enjoy an abundance of flowers, birds, and boats, and you might even see alligators bathing along the shoreline. Several parks, including historic Veterans Park, line the trail, which passes by the Marina and Marina Island, the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Garden, and various shops and restaurants.
Sanford Offers Many Cultural Activities and Attractions
Sanford offers a surprising variety of cultural activities and attractions for a city its size. Whether you're looking for recreational activities, such as hiking, cycling, boating, or fishing, or prefer to visit a museum, zoo, or gallery, you have countless entertainment options. Here's just a tiny sampling of the interesting things to do in Sanford.
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is a popular destination for both residents and tourists. The zoo houses nearly 400 animals and offers special attractions like a petting zoo, rhinoceros encounters, giraffe feeding, and a zipline. The elevated walkways traverse over wetlands surrounded by beautiful landscapes and vibrant wildflowers. You're likely to spot colorful butterflies and hummingbirds during your visit.
Black Bear Wilderness Area
Black Bear Wilderness Area is a recreational area containing nearly 1,600 acres of wetland habitats and over seven miles of walking paths. You can see a fascinating array of wildlife in the park, including birds, armadillos, alligators, otters, and black bears, so make sure to bring your camera.
Historic Downtown Sanford and Sanford Avenue
Explore the charming Historic Downtown Sanford and its various attractions. You can appreciate the city's picturesque brick roads, landscaping, and architecture as you stroll down Sanford Avenue and visit the many shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Sanford Museum
The Sanford Museum has been open since 1957. Originally named the Henry Shelton Sanford Memorial Library and Museum, it houses the books and papers of city founder Henry S. Sanford. It also contains exhibits on local history. You'll be able to see early city planning documents, artifacts from the Naval Air Station Sanford, and a sports collection highlighting the successes of Sanford natives.
The Ritz Theater/Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center
The restored Ritz Theater , built in 1923, is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2023. The beautiful 490-seat theater showcases a variety of live entertainment, including plays, dance, musical performances, and special programs. Whether you want to see a lively musical like Grease, reminisce with a rock tribute band, or enjoy an engaging comedy show with the whole family, the Ritz offers it all. The theater also features seasonal specials like the Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Grinch that Stole Christmas.
Community Events
There's always something fun to do in the beautiful city of Sanford, whether it's art, jazz, cycling, wine tasting, or other exciting activities. February brings an annual short film festival, in May the city hosts the St. John's River Festival of the Arts, and October features a five-day international film festival.Â
The team at Gibson Truck World is happy to share this list with our community. We hope you learned something you didn't know about Sanford. Are there any interesting tidbits about Sanford that we didn't mention? Reach out to our team if you have any suggestions to add to our list. We invite you to stop by the dealership and check out our inventory of pre-owned trucks to drive when you explore these Sanford attractions.
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