Eustis Florida history

Residents voted to incorporate Eustis in 1886.

According to an 1887 business directory, the Clifford Store on Lake Eustis sold "groceries, hardware, building material, fertilizers, stoves, crockery, glassware, hay and grain.

He has done a wonderful job of truning our former storage room into an authentic replica of an early 1900's laundry room.

Traditions are also maintained like our Washington Birthday Celebration (now named GeorgeFest), began in 1902 and has continued every year since then.

1908): Once home to E.L. Ferran, the "Grand Old Man of Eustis" and namesake of Ferran Park.

The original 5 acres of the cemetery was purchased in 1909 for the sum of $50.

Construction finally began on the neo-classical structure in January 1910, and continued for almost two years.

Yet the eighteen room mansion dates only from 1911, because of forces well beyond the control of its owners and, indeed, everyone involved in growing citrus at the end of the last century.

The park began with the purchase of land between Clifford Avenue and Orange Avenue in 1913.

The current church was built on this location in 1914.

The fact that the bandshell is located in Ferran Park, the first public park in Eustis circa 1918, adds to the historical, cultural, and social context in which the bandshell was built and used.

1926):The bandshell was financed by William S. McClelland a local banker, businessman, and civic leader.

Looking for a job, preferably outdoors, Rodney was hired by the founder of Eustis Roofing Company, Joe Driggers, in 1982 to clean up the job site’s grounds.

The Clifford House served as a private residence until 1983 when it became home to the Eustis Historical Museum & Preservation Society.

Joe Driggers was planning to retire and poured his knowledge into Rodney, giving him the opportunity to become the owner of Eustis Roofing Company in 1987.

Today the site is approximately 10 acres and was incorporated into the City limits in 1991.

The Iron Block building is a contributing structure in the Eustis Commercial Historic District which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Local Landmark status granted 1998).

The structure has wonderful brickwork and is perhaps the most ornate building in the downtown area.The Grand Magnolia Inn is a contributing structure in the Eustis Historic Commercial District which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Local Landmark status granted 1999).

The Gethsemane Baptist Church has significant cultural history as one of the early African American Churches in Eustis. (Local Landmark status granted 2000).

The interior had a concrete floor which sloped toward the stage area. (Local Landmark status granted 2001).

Florida Hospital Waterman, as it is called today, operated in the heart of downtown Eustis for over 65 years before relocating in 2004 to its current location on United States Hwy.

The Clifford House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Local Landmark status granted 2010).

In 2012, Jason married and discovered that family was more important than being on the road and decided to bring his bride home to join his family business at Eustis Roofing Company.