Maitland, Florida
Maitland is located in Orange County, just twenty minutes north of Orlando. It is a residential and business community with the advantages and intimacies of a small town and convenience of a big city near by. Home to thirteen thousand people, Maitland is a planned city with a progressive, healthy, and clean environment.
About The Community
Maitland is one of the oldest incorporated municipalities in Central Florida. Known as Fumecheliga (Musk Mellon Place) by the Seminole Indians, the U.S. Army established a small fort on the west shore of Lake Maitland in1838 called Fort Maitland for Captain William Maitland, a hero of the Seminole Wars. In those days, the only way of getting here was by boat down the St. Johns River to Fort Mellon (Sanford), then by horse or foot.
After the war, people settled here because of the natural spring water and extensive pine forests. Settlers cleared large tracts of land and planted citrus groves. The oranges were soon sent by a newly constructed railroad in the 1880s. Maitland had an ice factory, two livery stables, and a large packinghouse in the center of town. As many as 300,000 boxes of fruit were shipped each season. The city was incorporated as the Town of Lake Maitland in 1885. Unfortunately after two years of devastating freezes in 1894 and 1895, many of the grove owners left Florida in financial ruin. The excellent climate however attracted wealthy visitors and the town survived. In 1959, a new city charter changed the name from Lake Maitland to Maitland.
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Vicinity of Maitland
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The city continued to boom through the 1960s and1970s with construction of churches, supermarkets, restaurants, condominiums and garden apartments. The arrival of Disney World, in 1971, to the Orlando area was boom time for Maitland and the city grew with twelve new residential subdivisions. Older buildings made way for newer ones. In the late 1970’s, 226 acres of land were developed into Maitland Center within the city limits which continues to grow.
Despite these changes, the residents have taken care to preserve various historical residences intimately connected with the history, growth, and development of Maitland. Maitland is home to the Florida Audubon Society, which is dedicated to the protection of wild birds on Lake Sybelia. Maitland has good public and private schools and is home to two centers of higher education, the University of Phoenix- Orlando campus and the ITT technical institute.
Maitland has several scenic parks. Stroll through the beautiful Jim Houser azalea garden and covered bridge park with its beautiful flowers, manicured green open spaces and walk under the vine covered bridge over the bubbling Nina Canal. The Lily Lake Park is the venue for the city’s winter holiday celebrations. Its spectacular five acres with secluded shady picnic areas and jogging trails make it an ideal spot for a days outing. Take a stroll along the Boardwalk or spend time in the beautifully restored historic Waterhouse Residence Museum. The park is a popular venue for weddings too with its picturesque gazebo.
