Fruitland Park in Lake County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Casino

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 20, 2019

1. The Casino Marker

Inscription. In 1914, George T. Clark built a community center for the residents of Fruitland Park on the property of his Gardenia Hotel. Known locally as the Casino, the building was designed in the Frame Vernacular style with wood-framed construction, a metal roof, a wide porch, low eaves. and a breezeway. When completed, it contained a large stage and ladies' and men's dressing rooms, each with their own bathroom. The Casino also featured amenities such as running water, electric lights, and steam heat. It began serving as a meeting place for civic organizations such as the Fruitland Park Improvement Association and Fruitland Park Chamber of Commerce. During World War I, women and school children met there to knit mufflers, sweaters, and socks for servicemen. In 1920, William G. Dwight and his wife, Minnie, purchased the building from Clark. The building continued to host social functions and serve as a meeting space for various community organizations. William Dwight died in 1930, and Minnie maintained ownership of the Casino until 1950, when she donated it to the City of Fruitland Park. The Casino was listed on the National Register

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of Historical Places in 2015, but was razed in 2017.

Erected 2017 by The City of Fruitland Park and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1035.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 28° 51.508′ N, 81° 54.804′ W. Marker is in Fruitland Park, Florida, in Lake County. It is at the intersection of West Berckman Street and Rose Avenue (County Road 468), on the right when traveling west on West Berckman Street. The former site of the Casino is now the Fruitland Park Public Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 604 West Berckman Street, Fruitland Park FL 34731, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Orlando

and in Central Florida.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory

The Casino Marker and new library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 20, 2019

2. The Casino Marker and new library

of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans of All Wars (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); F. Brown Gregg (approx. 3.7 miles away); Medal of Honor Recipients (approx. 3.7 miles away); Korean War Memorial (approx. 3.7 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 3.7 miles away); The Nurse Corp in WW II (approx. 3.7 miles away); Women Marines / Rosie the Riveter (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fruitland Park.

The Villages-News

3. The Casino

Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 910 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 20, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.