LAKE COUNTY, FL HISTORY AND LOOKUP
County History Books
*None Listed
Lake County, Florida: A Genealogical Overview
Located in the heart of Central Florida, Lake County is a unique landscape of rolling hills and more than 1,000 named lakes, earning it the nickname “The Lakefront State.” It is a key part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metropolitan area, blending historic towns, a legendary citrus industry, and sprawling retirement communities. Its history is a story of Seminole resistance, pioneer farming, the rise and fall of the citrus kingdom, and modern residential growth.
I. County Formation and Evolution
Understanding Lake County’s formation from two parent counties is critical for locating the correct records for early ancestors who settled in the area before its official creation.
- 1887: County Formed: Lake County was established on May 27, 1887, by an act of the Florida Legislature.
- Parent Counties: It was created from the southern portion of Sumter County and the western portion of Orange County. Records for settlers prior to 1887 for this area would be located in Sumter or Orange county records, depending on the specific location.
- Subsequent County Formations: The boundaries of Lake County have remained largely stable since its creation in 1887.
- Name Origin: The county is named for the vast number of lakes within its borders.
- County Seat History: The first temporary county seat was Bloomfield (now a ghost town). After a contentious election, Tavares was officially chosen as the permanent county seat in 1888 and remains so today.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Early Inhabitants: The region was for centuries the territory of the Timucua people. By the 19th century, it became a significant area for the Seminole people, and several skirmishes of the Second Seminole War took place within its modern boundaries.
- Pioneer Settlement and Economy: Following the Armed Occupation Act of 1842, pioneer settlement began in earnest. The early economy was driven by steamboat traffic on the Ocklawaha River chain and the St. Johns River. After the arrival of railroads, the county became the epicenter of Florida’s citrus boom. This prosperity came to an abrupt halt during the “Great Freeze” of 1894-1895, which destroyed the groves and devastated the county’s economy for decades. The economy later diversified with cattle ranching, agriculture (ferns and ornamental plants), and, in the late 20th century, a massive influx of retirees and tourism.
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Lake County.
- Courthouse: Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller: Located at 550 W. Main St., Tavares, FL 32778. This office is the primary repository for county records, including probate (wills and estates), civil and criminal court cases, marriage licenses (from 1887), and land records (deeds).
- Vital Records:
- Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Florida began in the late 19th century but was not consistently enforced until after 1917. Official records are held by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. For records prior to this date, researchers should check for delayed birth certificates with the Clerk of Court or consult church records, newspapers, and cemetery records.
- Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1887 to the present are held by the Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
- Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
- Lake County Library System: The main library in Tavares and other branches, such as the W. T. Bland Public Library in Mount Dora and the Leesburg Public Library, have local history and genealogy collections.
- Lake County Historical Museum: Located in the historic courthouse in Tavares, this is a crucial resource for local history, photographs, and family research.
- State Archives of Florida: (Located in Tallahassee) This is the central repository for non-current state and county government records, manuscripts, and photographs, making it an essential resource for any Florida research.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- Marion County, FL
- Volusia County, FL
- Seminole County, FL
- Orange County, FL
- Polk County, FL
- Sumter County, FL
Who named Erie lake in lake county, Fl
The truth is no single person is credited with naming Lake Erie.
Here is the breakdown of who was involved:
The Source of the Name: The Erie People The lake is named after the Erie tribe, a Native American group who lived on its southern shore. The name “Erie” comes from their own Iroquoian word, “Erielhonan,” which means “long tail,” a name they used to describe the eastern cougar (or wildcat) that was common in their region.
The People Who Wrote it Down: French Explorers When French explorers, such as Louis Jolliet (the first documented European to see the lake in 1669), arrived, they learned of this name. At first, they translated the nickname and called it “Lac du Chat” (Lake of the Cat).
Shortly after, they began using the tribal name itself, calling it “Lac Érié” (Lake Erie) on their maps.