Florida Citrus Tower
{{Short description|Tower in Clermont, Florida}}
{{Infobox building
| image = File:Citrus Tower in June 2024.jpg
| image_size = 225px
| caption = The tower in 2024
| name = Florida Citrus Tower
| location = Clermont, Florida
| altitude = {{convert|228|ft|m|1}} above sea level at its base
| roof = {{convert|226|ft|m|1}} above ground
| antenna_spire = {{convert|500|ft|m|1}} above sea level{{Cite news |url = http://www.orlandoweekly.com/features/story.asp?id=8135 |title = Spreading Out In All Directions |first = Lindy T. |last = Shepherd |work = Orlando Weekly |date = July 14, 2005 |access-date = July 16, 2018 |archive-date = October 28, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141028093536/http://www2.orlandoweekly.com/features/story.asp?id=8135 |url-status = live }}{{cite web |url = http://www.emporis.com/building/citrustower-clermont-fl-usa |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141029060744/http://www.emporis.com/building/citrustower-clermont-fl-usa |url-status = usurped |archive-date = October 29, 2014 |title = Citrus Tower |publisher = Emporis |accessdate = October 29, 2014 }}
| coordinates = {{coord|28|33|50|N|81|44|35|W|display=inline,title}}
| completion_date = 1956
| developer = A.W.Thacker and F.J.Toole
| owner = Ralph Messer
| building_type = {{ubl|observation tower|radio broadcasting tower}}
}}
The Florida Citrus Tower is a {{convert|226|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} structure in Clermont, Florida. Built in 1956 to allow visitors to observe the miles of surrounding orange groves, it was once among the most famous landmarks of the Orlando area.
History
The tower was conceived by A.W. Thacker and Jack Toole "to showcase the thriving citrus industry," Orlando Weekly wrote in 2005. Construction began in 1955, funded by a public sale of stock in the project. The project consumed {{convert|5|e6lbs|t}} of concrete and {{convert|149,000|lb|t}} of reinforcing steel.
The tower opened on July 14, 1956, with representatives from Silver Springs and Cypress Gardens in attendance.{{cite web |url = https://citrustower.com/roadside-florida-attractions/ |title = Roadside Florida Attractions |last = Antics |first = Skillful |date = July 16, 2019 |website = citrustower.com |access-date = March 11, 2020 |archive-date = May 15, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200515033909/https://citrustower.com/roadside-florida-attractions/ |url-status = live }} During the first several years of operation, the tower drew up to 500,000 visitors a year, thanks to its location on US 27 between Cypress Gardens and Silver Springs.{{cite web |url = http://www.yesterland.com/citrust|title = Florida Citrus Tower |last = Weiss |first = Werner |date = March 29, 2013 |website = Yesterland.com |access-date = May 13, 2015 }} However, in 1964 Florida's Turnpike was extended north, providing a faster route south through Central Florida. Since then, the tower has been sold several times. In the 1980s, three harsh freezes (1983, 1985, and 1989) killed most of the citrus groves in Lake County; this caused a decrease in visitation to the tower. In 1988, a tram was built to offer visitors tours of various citrus crops. The tower was purchased in 1995 by Greg Homan, who had it painted white and turquoise.{{cite web |url = http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-citrustower-story.html#page=1 |title = Citrus Tower is a reminder of Clermont's past |last = Alexander |first = Carrie |work = Sun Sentintel |access-date = May 13, 2015 |archive-date = May 18, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150518080735/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-citrustower-story.html#page=1 |url-status = live }}
In April 2015, the Citrus Tower was repainted in its original color scheme, with orange and white stripes.{{cite book |title = Frommer's Florida '93 |last1 = Springer |first1 = George McDonald |first2 = Marylyn |last2 = Springer |first3 = Don A. |last3 = Schultz }}{{full|date=July 2018}} In 2022, the Homan family sold the tower to Simchat Torah Beit Midrash (STBM) for $3.3 million.{{Cite web |last=Oskin |first=Larry H. |date=2023-02-03 |title=Citrus Tower sold |url=https://www.midfloridanewspapers.com/clermont_news_leader/citrus-tower-sold/article_983ff768-a330-11ed-93c5-1ff677009655.html |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=Mid Florida Newspapers |language=en}} It reopened in May 2023 after a renovation that aimed to "bring it back to what it was years and years ago".{{Cite web |last=Trezza |first=Matt |date=2023-05-29 |title=Clermont's Citrus Tower reopens after renovation |url=https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/clermonts-citrus-tower-reopens-after-renovation |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=FOX 35 Orlando |language=en-US}} The Jewish influence in the region was partly driven by the fruitful development of Israeli agtech companies in Florida.{{Cite web |title=Ghosts of the Groves |url=https://jewishcurrents.org/ghosts-of-the-groves |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=Jewish Currents |language=en}}
Attraction
The Citrus Tower includes a coin drop where visitors can hear their coin drop to the bottom. At the lobby is ROOM: Valencia: a banquet facility, gift shop, and museum of the tower's history. Near the tower is the Presidents Hall of Fame, with wax tributes to the Presidents of the United States and a model of the interior of the White House.
Gallery
File:"Greetings from Citrus Tower" (11403313626).jpg|"Greetings from Citrus Tower" postcard from circa 1960
File:Citrus Tower Clermont04.jpg|The Citrus Tower in 2007
File:Citrus Tower Clermont elevator01.jpg|The mostly unmodernized elevator of the Citrus Tower (now modernized)
File:Citrus Tower.JPG|The Citrus Tower in 2015
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons}}
- {{Official website|https://www.citrustower.com}}
- [http://hanbanphotos.com/citrus-tower/ Citrus Tower Photo Gallery]
- [http://thepresidentshalloffame.com/ Presidents Hall of Fame]
Category:Observation towers in the United States
Category:Towers completed in 1956
Category:Buildings and structures in Lake County, Florida