Windermere

Main Street Windermere

Building Your Dream Home in Windermere, Florida

A Glimpse into Windermere’s History

Windermere, Florida was founded on May 5, 1915, when 110 acres of land situated between James Avenue on the north, Lamar Avenue to the south, Main Street to the west, and 5th Street to the east, were auctioned off and incorporated under the council-manager form of government. In 2014, Windermere had a population of 2,503. Windermere itself spans 689 acres, consisting largely of a retail district with a “classic” feel and a scattering of older homes lining sandy streets. These streets remain unpaved to discourage traffic and prevent runoff from damaging the Butler Chain, a system of eight pristine lakes connected by a canal system. The lakes were a key attraction for Windermere’s first investor, Joseph Hill Scott, an English clergyman who in 1885 bought 150 acres. Scott’s son, Stanley, homesteaded the property and supposedly named it after Lake Windermere in England.

Development and Growth

By 1889, the Florida Midland railroad connected Sanford with Kissimmee and the Windermere town plat was recorded. The great freeze of 1894-1895 hit, devastating Windermere residents. Development slowed until 1911 when Dr. J.H Johnson and J. Calvin Palmer rediscovered the town and began developing the land. Windermere began to grow. By 1924, wealthy northerners had bought land, planted groves, and built houses, stores, a railway platform, a new train depot, a sawmill, and educational facilities. They also opened a resort hotel and restaurant, brought in telephone lines and tourists, and completed an asphalt road. In 1925, Windermere was incorporated into a town and the Windermere Improvement Company dissolved. Steady growth occurred, particularly post World War II when both Martin Co. (now Lockheed Martin) and Disney executives discovered the town.

Modern Windermere

Today, Windermere maintains its small-town character with unpaved dirt roads and a modest town center on Main Street consisting of quaint shops, cafes, and other businesses. Windermere real estate consistently ranks among the desired in America due to its good public schools, low crime rate, and large population of college-educated, home-owning adults.

Living by the Butler Chain of Lakes

Topping the list of desirability factors is the Butler Chain of Lakes, one of the few clean water systems left in Central Florida. Consisting of 11 lakes linked together by natural waterways and man-made canals in a 10-mile chain, offering year-round water activities.

Building Your Custom Home with Budron Homes

Interested in building a custom home in Windermere, Florida? Feel free to speak with one of the best home builders in Orlando, Budron Homes, about any questions you may have. Budron Homes is here to serve you and make sure your custom home is the home of your dreams. Call us today at (407) 347-0701 for a free consultation. Budron Homes is rated A+ with the BBB of Central Florida and is a 2015 Parade of Homes winner. windermere