Avon Park

oldest city in Highlands County

Founded

1886

Place

Avon Park, Highlands County

District

The Ridge

Status as of 12 September 2026

Operating city, population 9,658 at the 2020 census.

Connections

4 edges, 4 distinct neighbours · betweenness 0.025 (rank 56 of 243) · location and lineage only 0.000 (rank 80) · outside share 0.00

Confidence

High · sources: [AVP] [WAVP] [WHCB] [WFWN] (register)

Oliver Martin Crosby settles the site in 1884 and the settlement incorporates as Lake Forest in 1886, renamed for Stratford upon Avon; the modern city incorporates in 1926 [AVP][WAVP]. The Haines City Branch of 1912 and the Seaboard line of 1925 make it a Ridge citrus shipping town [WHCB][WFWN].

Connections

Location and lineage

• tied venture or seat ofClassic Caladiumsthe tissue culture producer's seat2000 to present

Support

• supported byACL Haines City Branchrail outlet for the citrus settlement1912
• supported bySeaboard Air Line, Florida Western and Northernsecond railroad through the Ridge town1925
• supported byHighlands County residential wavemore than 300 houses approved north of Lake Lelia2022 onward