Near Apopka in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Lovell's Landing at Lake Apopka
Photographed By PaulwC3, March 11, 2014
1. Lovell's Landing at Lake Apopka Marker
Inscription.
Lovell's Landing at Lake Apopka. . In the 1870s, the early settlers of northwest Orange County looked to area waterways as commercial highways. Lake Apopka, the head of the Ocklawaha chain of lakes, offered access to the St. Johns River near Palatka and a way for citrus and vegetable growers near the banks of the lake to transport their products. In 1872, William A. Lovell (1828-1903) purchased 225 acres of land on the northwest side of the lake. At this location, he established a landing to serve as a hub for freight service on Lake Apopka and the surrounding region. Before steamer service began on the Ocklawaha in 1882, fruits and vegetables from 17 landings around the lake were brought to Lovell’s Landing for delivery by oxen to Clay Springs and areas further north. As commerce through Lovell’s Landing increased, the community constructed its own school, which operated from 1884-1895. In the 1920s, Apopka built a dock, clubhouse, and picnic grounds at the landing. In 1926, Orange County built a road connecting Apopka to the area. Waterway commerce from Lovell’s Landing subsequently declined as more and faster methods of transporting fruits and vegetables came to the region.
In the 1870s, the early settlers of northwest Orange County looked to area waterways as commercial highways. Lake Apopka, the head of the Ocklawaha chain of lakes, offered access to the St. Johns River near Palatka and a way for citrus and vegetable growers near the banks of the lake to transport their products. In 1872, William A. Lovell (1828-1903) purchased 225 acres of land on the northwest side of the lake. At this location, he established a landing to serve as a hub for freight service on Lake Apopka and the surrounding region. Before steamer service began on the Ocklawaha in 1882, fruits and vegetables from 17 landings around the lake were brought to Lovell’s Landing for delivery by oxen to Clay Springs and areas further north. As commerce through Lovell’s Landing increased, the community constructed its own school, which operated from 1884-1895. In the 1920s, Apopka built a dock, clubhouse, and picnic grounds at the landing. In 1926, Orange County built a road connecting Apopka to the area. Waterway commerce from Lovell’s Landing subsequently declined as more and faster methods of transporting fruits and vegetables came to the region.
Erected by Apopka Historical Society, Orange County Board of County Commissioners, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-714.)
Location. 28° 38.164′ N, 81° 33.013′ W. Marker is near Apopka, Florida, in Orange County. Marker is on South Binion Road (State Road 437) ¾ mile west of Ocoee-Apopka Road (County Road 437A), on the right when traveling south. The marker is located in Magnolia Park, on the Lake Apopka Loop Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2929 South Binion Road, Apopka FL 32703, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Wide view of the Lovell's Landing at Lake Apopka Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 855 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.
