SEE SANFORD: The other side of the Orlando area people miss.

Table of Contents:
SANFORD
ENTERPRISE
SANFORD DAY TRIPS

Once a distant town from Orlando, Sanford is becoming more of a northern neighborhood as the area grows. It’s a great getaway from the big city. With its lake, hiking trails, fresh-water springs, and tree-covered historic districts, it has something for everyone.

For baseball fans and history buffs, there’s plenty to learn about. Sanford is waiting, so let’s get started.

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SEE SANFORD

St. John’s Rivership Company

Although dating from 1986, and designed for dinner cruises, an authentic sternwheeler paddle boat departs daily from the Sanford Marina at the foot of N. Palmento Avenue—a nod to Sanford’s riverboat history.

Sanford Riverwalk

Stretching almost five miles, this paved walkway stretches from Fort Mellon Park on the east side of town to Highway 17 in the west. From there, it connects to Ft Monroe Park on the Northwest shore of the lake.

Sanford Commercial Historic District

This three-block downtown area, anchored by First Street, is listed on the National Register. It runs east to Sanford Avenue, west to Myrtle Avenue, and includes the block between First and Second (to the south) and First and Commercial (to the north and lake).

Lyman Bank Building (1883)

At the S.E. corner of 1st and Park is this 6-story structure, the oldest brick building in the commercial district. Four years after completion, the First National Bank purchased the building.

First National Bank Building, constructed in 1883

The Brumley-Puleston Building (1923)

Across from Lyman Bank at 100 East First Street is this historic three-story commercial structure, which began as the Roumillat and Anderson Drug Store and remained so for 55 years. It was built by famed contractor George Fuller, builder of Washington’s Lincoln Memorial and New York’s Flatiron Building.

Magnolia Square / Historic Downtown Clock

Walking east on 1st Street, you come to this square, which often hosts markets on weekends. The clock originally hung in front of the Lyman Bank Building. It makes a great meeting point as there are benches and planter boxes you can sit on.

Historic Sanford Welcome Center

Beginning as a post office in 1917, it would dispense letters until 1962. It then became a library until they could build a new library behind it. Today, it welcomes guests to Sanford.

A free Trolley runs between the train stations and the downtown area. Please check at the Visitor Center for the current Sanford Trolley schedule.

Old Sanford Fire Station

Around the corner from the 300 block is a yellow brick building at 109 S Palmetto that also rose from the ashes of the fire. It served as the town’s fire station from 1890 to 1974, sharing the space with first the city hall, then the jail, and the police station. In the 1990s, it became a private residence.

Old Jailhouse

Next door to the fire station is this 1914 building. It served as a jail until 1959, when a new firehouse was built. Today, it is home to a restaurant.

Henry’s Depot

Beginning as a freight depot in 1887, it was part of the Plant System and provided Florida orange growers with better shipping options. connections and cheaper access. In 1940, the Atlantic Coast Railroad replaced it with the current structure. In 2019, it became the current food hall.

PICO building

Dating from 1887, Henry Plant built it as a hotel for his guests connecting from his steamships from Jacksonville to his trains onward to Tampa. In 1906, the building was sold to the Takach family, which operated the restaurant inside the hotel. The restaurant featured gas lights, white tablecloths, and a menu reflecting Mrs. Takach’s Hungarian heritage. Today, it is home to law offices.

Historic Downtown Sanford

Milane -Ritz Theater

Opened in 1923 for movies and Vaudeville acts by the Florida-based Milane Amusement Company, they would sell it ten years later. The new owners would rename it the Ritz Theater, and although a few live acts would perform, it became more and more a movie theater. It would close in the late 1970s due to the competition from new suburban malls. Although a short-lived revival occurred in the 1980s, it wasn’t until 1999 that a true preservation/renovation began. Restored to host live entertainment, it was renamed the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center due to the large donations from his charitable trust.

The Sanford Museum

Located in Fort Mellon Park, this museum began in 1957 as a museum and library dedicated to Henry Shelton Sanford. Over the years, it has grown to include all of the city’s history along with Sanford’s letters, art, and furniture.

Fort Mellon Historical Marker.

At the east end of Seminole Avenue is a marker in the area where Fort Mellon once stood. As it was built of wood (flammable) and had no foundation, there are no physical traces of the fort today.

Hotel Forrest Lake.

Built in 1925 as an elite winter destination for northerners, it opened its doors just in time for the Florida land bust. It would close in 1927. W.E. Kirchhoff, a local businessman, purchased the hotel in 1935 and renamed it The Mayfair Hotel. It was very successful and became the winter retreat it was supposed to be. Popular with the visiting New York Giants, who did spring training in Sanford, Kirchhoff sold it to them in 1948. They would own it until the team moved to San Francisco in 1963.

As of 2026, the current owner, World Olivet Assembly (WOA), was planning to make it a southern administrative center for world mission.

Georgetown Historic District

Dating back to 1870, this largely African American community east of Sanford Avenue was settled by pioneer black families who purchased lots from city founder Henry Sanford. It was added to the National Register in 2020.

Sanford's Georgetown — Georgetown Historical District.

Sanford Ice and Cold Storage.

The brick structure at 401 South Sanford Avenue dates from 1922. It replaced the original 1890s wooden structure. It was the home of Sanford Ice and Cold Storage, an important industry making ice for households and refrigeration for insulated train cars shipping local produce. The introduction of electric refrigerators in the 1920s made ice houses obsolete. The building would later be a bakery and a variety store.

John H. Hurston House

At 621 E. 6th Street is the former home of Reverend John Hurston, who was pastor of nearby Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church. He was also the father of author Zora Neale Hurston (Their Eyes Were Watching God). In the 1940s, Carrie Jones and her daughter Marie Jones-Francis opened the Jones-Francis Maternity Hall. For the next 32 years, they would deliver more than 40,000 Sanford residents, both Black and white. Although it is on the Florida Black Heritage Trail, it is a private residence.

St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church

The congregation dates from 1878, making it the city’s oldest African-American Baptist church. The current church building at 813 Pine Avenue dates from 1961.

St. James AME Church

Founded by freedmen in 1867, it is the city’s oldest African American congregation. The current Gothic Revival structure at 819 Cypress Avenue dates from 1913.

Hopper Academy

Opening its doors in 1910, it was one of the few schools in Florida for African-American students at the time. Originally, it had ten grades. When Crooms Academy opened in 1926, Hopper Academy became an elementary school with grades 1-6.

With the building of new elementary schools in 1962, Hopper closed its doors. In 2026, it will complete a 25-year restoration to turn it into a community center.

Sanfords Hopper Academy — Hopper Academy (1910).

Sanford Residential Historic District

This historic district, west of Palmetto Avenue, contains over 432 historic buildings.

Bettye D Smith Cultural Arts

This structure at 119 W. 5th St dates from 1924 and was the Sanford Public Library. It would serve that role for 43 years. Today, it serves as a community service center.

First United Methodist Church

The congregation dates from 1874, before Sanford was incorporated. In 1892, they moved to the corner of Park Avenue and Fifth Street. The current building you see dates back to 1906, with further enhancements from 1961.

Sanford Grammar School

Dating from 1902, this Romanesque Revival-style structure at 301 West Seventh Street began duty as the Sanford High School. Later, it served as a grammar school before closing in 2015, earning the title of the oldest school building in continuous use in Seminole County. It is the 4th oldest in Florida. Today, it serves as a catering venue.

Holy Cross Episcopal Church

Dating from 1873, this congregation is the “Mother Church” of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida. It is considered Sanford’s most historic church as it was founded by Gertrude Sanford, wife of city founder Henry Sanford. Only 7 years after construction, a hurricane destroyed the church in 1880. Rebuilt with wood, the second structure would burn down in 1923. The current, non-wooden Spanish Mediterranean-style structure at 401 South Park Avenue dates from 1924.

Higgins House

This 1894 Queen Anne Victorian home, located at 420 S. Oak Ave., was the home of railroad superintendent James Higgins. It remained in the Higgins family until 2025, and still serves as a Bed and Breakfast.

Florida Hotel / Old Fernald-Laughton Memorial Hospital

Built in 1910 as the private residence of hardware merchant George Fernald, this Colonial Revival home was donated to the city by his widow after he died in 1919. The city would open a prominent medical facility in the house, operating until 1955. Across the street from the Higgins House, this home at 500 South Oak Avenue, while once a B&B, appears (as of 2026) to be a private residence again.

All Souls Catholic Historic Chapel

One of Central Florida’s oldest parishes, Father McFaul started a mission here in 1882. The first chapel was built out of wood circa 1887. Fire would claim it in 1932. The stucco structure you see today at 800 S Oak Ave dates from 1932 and stands on the same site.

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Other Sites in Sanford

Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium

1201 S Mellonville was formerly known as the Sanford Municipal Athletic Field, dating back to the 1910s. In 1942, it became a Grapefruit League training location for the Boston Braves.

The current concrete stadium dates to 1951, built in part to lure the New York Giants. It underwent major renovations in 2001 and today is home to Sanford’s Babe Ruth Baseball. In the early summer, it hosts the Sanford River Rats, a team of the Florida Collegiate Summer League. Past River Rats include outfielder Dylan Crews and pitcher Jacob deGrom.

Fun Fact: Babe Ruth hit a home run in the original stadium during a 1919 exhibition game.

Fort Reid Marker

Speer Grove Park, in the 1800 block of Mellonville Avenue, sits where Fort Reid once stood. Built in 1840 as a commissary and military auxiliary to Fort Mellon, it could house more than 400 troops. It was only in service until 1842. With the end of the Second Seminole War, it was decommissioned. The small settlement known as Mellonville would spring up in the area. The marker is closer to Catalina Drive on the park’s south side.

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See Enterprise.

Across Lake Monroe from Sanford, Enterprise grew larger and faster than Sanford did. It was even the County Seat of Volusia County until the Big Chill.

All Saints Episcopal Church

This 1883 Carpenter-Gothic church is at 155 Clark Street. It is still in operation with services on Sunday mornings. (Click the orange link for more information.)

Green Springs Park

Circling the Green Spring, once a calling card for Enterprise, this charming park features several nods to the past. Look for markers to the clam hound (midden), Taylor, and De Bary as well. Swimming is no longer allowed.

The Enterprise Museum.

Located in the original 1936 Enterprise Elementary School building, the building, along with its collection, offers a great look into Old Enterprise. It really is the best place to start, as so little of old Enterprise remains. The price is free, but please leave a donation.

Gemini Springs Park

John H. Padgett probably bought the land around 1900, and records indicate he built the two-story farmhouse and barn still there today. The Padgett family raised cattle and grew sugar cane. There was a cane press on the property, and they would sell sugar juice to passengers on the trains passing their farm on the railroad (now bike path?) to Enterprise. Today, it is a great park for walking, biking, or camping.