Winter Haven, Florida is a senior citizen vacation community and retirement area.

Winter Haven FL History

Many veterans of the Indian War, impressed with the local climate and beauty of our area, went home to tell family and friends of the possibilities of homesteading in central Florida. The first known family to do just that was the Thornhills, who arrived in the 1860s.

The first mercantile, Hovey and Harris, was built in 1885. F.A.K. Harris and his wife, Adele, lived above the store. Over the next few years, the railroad was constructed. Adele Harris would cook for the railroad workers, so they dubbed the town "Harris Corners."

By 1900, Winter Haven could boast of having citrus groves, a school, a post office, a real estate office, a Social Club, churches, hotels, floral nurseries, a canning factory and the headquarters of the Florida Growers Association.

Winter Haven was incorporated in 1911. The canals that connect Winter Haven's Chain of Lakes began with the organization of the Twenty Lakes Boat Course Club in 1915. The Florida Boom of the 1920’s brought land speculation and a great influx of newcomers to the area. In 1924, the Florida Citrus Festival was first held to salute this important local agribusiness. In 1930, 22 year-old George Jenkins opened the very first Publix Food Store on Fourth Street.

Winter Haven Florida – Beautiful Retirement Community

Today, Winter Haven Florida benefits from tourism, agriculture and economic expansion. Seniors especially enjoy vacationing in this beautiful community and many return to live here after retirement.