Clermont, Florida

History

Before European colonization and settlement, the area which is today Clermont was originally inhabited by the indigenous Timucua people. Urriparacoxi was reportedly a chieftain in the area during the 1539-40 Hernando de Soto expeditions. The population of the Timucua were whittled by epidemics of infectious diseases introduced by Europeans, then by attacks and slave raids largely conducted under Spanish colonial rule.

After the collapse of Timucua society, the indigenous Seminole people came to inhabit the region. In 1819, Florida was acquired by the United States from Spain with the Adams–Onís Treaty. Four years later, the area of modern-day Clermont became a part of an Indian reservation under the Treaty of Moultrie Creek. The Seminole were ultimately ethnically cleansed by federal troops in the Seminole Wars or driven out on the Trail of Tears. The region was geographically called the High Sand Hills by Americans, according to maps by Washington Hood. The first white settlers arrived in the area in 1853, soon after the Seminole Wars.

Clermont was founded in 1884, and named for the French birthplace of A.F. Wrotnowski, manager of the Clermont Improvement Company, a company to develop land. The municipality was incorporated as a town from June 9, 1891, then disbanded on May 25, 1895. It was reincorporated as a city on December 28, 1916.{{Cite web|title=ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Much of the county was developed as orange and other citrus groves, which was the basis of the economy through the mid-20th century. Apshawa Groves, which owned and worked large expanses of land in the county, became a major real estate company. Tourism also became increasingly important.

The groves, which were the namesake of the Citrus Tower, dwindled rapidly because of recurrent freezes and suburban development in the late 20th century and into the 2000s. The regional economy shifted from agricultural production to real estate. The population growth attracted numerous companies to the area.

From 2000 to 2020, the population grew more than 250 percent amid real estate development and urban sprawl in Central Florida. This brought economic growth and big-box retail stores. Clermont was described as one of the fastest-growing cities in Central Florida of the time. In spring 2010, the Clermont Landings shopping center opened with 20 shops and restaurants and the city's first cinema. Increased pollution from runoff and residential development has hurt the city's lakes and other natural resources.

Since 2001, when Orlando Health, with Pure Athletics and USA Triathlon, opened the National Training Center in Clermont, the city has been noted for its training facilities for Olympic and college athletes. The Center later added a nearby facility for Special Olympics Florida. In 2014, the city sought to market itself as a training center by adopting the slogan "Choice of Champions" and a flag with Olympic rings. Twenty athletes who trained in Clermont went to the 2016 Rio Olympics; others went to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.5 sqmi, of which 10.5 sqmi is land and 1.0 sqmi (8.54%) is water.

The Clermont area lies on the northern part of the Lake Wales Ridge. There are rolling hills atypical of the Florida peninsula. Nearby are the Clermont chain of lakes and Lake Apopka.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Clermont has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

|Jan avg record high F = 83.4 |Feb avg record high F = 84.9 |Mar avg record high F = 87.9 |Apr avg record high F = 91.2 |May avg record high F = 94.7 |Jun avg record high F = 96.2 |Jul avg record high F = 96.6 |Aug avg record high F = 96.1 |Sep avg record high F = 94.5 |Oct avg record high F = 91.5 |Nov avg record high F = 87.2 |Dec avg record high F = 83.9 |year avg record high F = 97.6

|Jan avg record low F = 31.6 |Feb avg record low F = 34.7 |Mar avg record low F = 40.6 |Apr avg record low F = 46.3 |May avg record low F = 56.9 |Jun avg record low F = 65.7 |Jul avg record low F = 69.1 |Aug avg record low F = 69.4 |Sep avg record low F = 66.3 |Oct avg record low F = 52.3 |Nov avg record low F = 42.5 |Dec avg record low F = 36.2 |year avg record low F = 29.7

|Jan record high F = 89 |Feb record high F = 91 |Mar record high F = 97 |Apr record high F = 99 |May record high F = 100 |Jun record high F = 102 |Jul record high F = 105 |Aug record high F = 102 |Sep record high F = 99 |Oct record high F = 99 |Nov record high F = 94 |Dec record high F = 90 |year record high F = |Jan record low F = 18 |Feb record low F = 17 |Mar record low F = 25 |Apr record low F = 37 |May record low F = 47 |Jun record low F = 51 |Jul record low F = 62 |Aug record low F = 62 |Sep record low F = 56 |Oct record low F = 38 |Nov record low F = 28 |Dec record low F = 19 |year record low F = | access-date = May 28, 2021 | access-date = May 28, 2021

Demographics

2010 and 2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 43,021 people, 13,032 households, and 9,179 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 28,742 people, 10,072 households, and 7,377 families residing in the city.

In 2010, the income per capita is $24,952, which includes all adults and children. The median household income is $45,980.

The median home value in town is $227,510. Home appreciation was –21.40% during 2009. Renters made up 23.21% of the population. 8.33% of houses and apartments were unoccupied (vacancy rate).

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,333 people, 3,995 households, and 2,736 families residing in the city. The population density was 343.5 /km2. There were 4,368 housing units at an average density of 160.8 /km2. The racial makeup of the city was 83.50% White, 12.08% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.55% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.71% of the population.

In 2000, there were 3,995 households out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.73.

In 2000, in the city the population was spread out with 20.1% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 24.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $39,290, and the median income for a family was $48,216. Males had a median income of $36,240 versus $26,571 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,099. About 6.3% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The public school district for the City of Clermont is Lake County Schools.

Public elementary schools

• Cypress Ridge Elementary School
• Lost Lake Elementary School
• Pine Ridge Elementary
• Sawgrass Bay Elementary School

Public middle schools

• East Ridge Middle School
• Windy Hill Middle School

Public K-8 schools

• Aurelia M. Cole Academy (former site of Clermont Middle School and Clermont High School)

Public high schools

• East Ridge High School

Charter school

• Imagine South Lake Charter School
• Pinecrest Lakes Academy

Private schools

• Real Life Christian Academy
• The Key to Learning
• Wesley Christian Academy
• Family Christian Center School
• Citrus Heights Academy

Specialty schools

• Lincoln Park Education Center (formerly Clermont Elementary School)

Higher education

Lake-Sumter State College and the University of Central Florida have a joint-use campus in Clermont. The Lincoln Park Education Center offers courses from Lake-Sumter State College and Lake Technical College for students.

Public library

The Cooper Memorial Library in Clermont is staffed by the Lake-Sumter State College and the Lake County Library System.

A salesman wandered into town in 1904, and spoke promises of donating books to start a library if the town helped him sell his Chautauqua lectures to residents. Many town members with money to spare put forth what they could, excited at the prospect of a library. However, when it came time for the lectures only a few of the speakers showed; no salesman or books were present. Not all money was handed over; the cost for the last lecture was still available, and with that amount they began to organize their own library. This was hosted in the Montrose Street home of Mrs. Payson Pierce, with the collection of books open to the town on Saturday afternoons. Patrons paid 50 cents a year. The Clermont Library Club also hosted their meetings at Pierce's house. The growing collection was moved to Isiah Benson's Lake Avenue house in 1910, then to the Baptist Church the following year.

In the summer of 1914, the Friends of the Library raised $600 to erect a one-room building on 630 DeSoto Street, a lot donated by Alice Cooper. The library was funded by the club and its small circulating collection staffed by Clermont Women's Club volunteers until the city took over in the 1950s and the Cooper Memorial Library Association was formed to administer the public library. In 1980, a former bank building was purchased. A human chain of town volunteers passed the books, hand to hand, from the old to the new location. Mike Delaney, a Friends of the Library member, said, "It was an amazing honor to be part of the early book brigade when I was seven...It was an experience that I will never forget that brought the community together". In 1984, the building was expanded by more than 4,000 square feet, adding the Florida Room and Children's Room. In 1982, the Cooper Memorial Library joined the Lake County Library System, and is the only continuous member of that system.

Places of interest

Downtown Clermont has restaurants, shops, the local Art League, Clermont City Center, and City Hall.

The downtown's western area, known as Historic Village, includes sites such as the Townsend House, home to James and Sallie Townsend, the first African-American couple in Clermont. The building known as "Little Cooper" was moved to the Clermont Historic Village in 2009, and restored to be opened as a museum of local and world history. The Historic Village is maintained by the South Lake County Historical Society and the City of Clermont.

South Lake Hospital is the regional hospital of south Lake County.

The United States Triathlon National Training Center used to be located in Clermont. Duathlons, triathlons and cross country races are held at the facility.

Waterfront Park is located along Lake Minneola, The park includes picnic areas, a swimming area, fishing piers and a playground. There are rentals of paddle boards, kayaks and bicycles. A fitness trail that is part of a 40-mile system runs through the park.

Transportation

The main roads through Clermont consist of State Road 50 and U.S. Route 27.

Additionally, the public transit of LakeXpress serves routes along State Road 50 and South on US 27 towards Four Corners.

Notable people

• Edmond Amateis, sculptor and educator
• Dale Barnstable, retired professional basketball player
• Chimdi Chekwa, former NFL cornerback
• Tra Blake, NFL official
• Jason Couch, professional bowler
• Andrew DeClercq, retired professional basketball player and coach
• Kate DiCamillo, author of children's books
• Norm Duke, professional bowler
• Ryan Dungey, professional motocross racer
• Jahlane Forbes, soccer player who plays as a defender
• Tyson Gay, sprinter
• Shane Greene, professional baseball player
• Art Heyman, former professional basketball player
• Peter Hooten, actor
• Andy Jones, former NFL wide receiver
• Brandon Larracuente, actor
• Kalup Linzy, video and performance artist
• Greg Lloyd Jr., former NFL linebacker
• Scott McLean, former NFL football linebacker
• Marvin Musquin, professional motocross racer
• Randy Pedersen, professional bowler
• Cassidy Rae, actor
• Rachel Recchia, American television personality
• Sha'Carri Richardson, professional Olympic track and field athlete
• Stephanie Samedy, professional volleyball player
• Dean Saunders, American politician
• Beulah Rebecca Hooks Hannah Tingley, former member of the Democratic National Committee
• Pamela Walton, murder victim discovered in Clermont in 1988
• Daniel Webster, U.S. representative
• Kaylin Whitney, American track and field athlete, specializing in sprinting events

Notes

References

1. "Clermont: From Gem of the Hills to Choice of Champions".
2. "Get to know Clermont, "The Gem of the Hills" of Florida".
3. "ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT".
4. "LURE OF THE LAKE. GEM OF THE HILLS.".
5. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
6. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
7. {{GNIS. 2404069
8. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Clermont city, Florida". Census.gov.
9. "The Citrus Tower". The Citrus Tower.
10. (1993). "Hernando de Soto and the Indians of Florida". University Press of Florida.
11. Missall, John. (2004). "The Seminoles wars: America's longest Indian conflict". University press of Florida.
12. Anderson, Gary Clayton. (2014). "Ethnic cleansing and the Indian: the crime that should haunt America". University of Oklahoma Press.
13. "Map of the seat of war in Florida {{!}} Library of Congress".
14. (2019). "Clermont: From Gem of the Hills to Choice of Champions". Cooper Memorial Library Association.
15. Morris, Allen. (1995). "Florida Place Names".
16. "The Kern House Built about 1885".
17. "IN 1920S, POSTAL COLONY BECAME KNOWN AS COMPANY THAT HELPED TO RUN A CITY".
18. "HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY CITRUS - The story of a dynamic industry that dominated Lake County for more than 125 years (APSHAWA)".
19. "Apshawa Citrus Label".
20. "Economic Development {{!}} Clermont, FL".
21. concierge. (2019-07-16). "The Citrus Tower {{!}} Freezes".
22. "Algae a threat to health of Clermont lakes".
23. "National Training Center {{!}} About Us & History of the NTC".
24. (2014-07-09). "Clermont leaders approve new city logo, tagline".
25. "Economic Development {{!}} Clermont, FL".
26. (2024-07-23). "Clermont is building a reputation for training the world's fastest athletes".
27. (2024-07-22). "3 gymnasts from EVO Gymnastics in Sarasota are heading to the Paris Olympics".
28. "Clermont Chain of Lakes – South Lake County's Pride - Outside of Orlando".
29. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
30. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Clermont city, Florida".
31. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Clermont city, Florida".
32. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Clermont city, Florida".
33. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Clermont city, Florida".
34. "South Lake".
35. Leader, SHERRI OWENS Special to the News. (2023-02-09). "Lincoln Park Education Center to offer flexible approach to education".
36. Bloodsworth, Doris. (2010). "Literary Love Affair: How the Love of Books Helped Shape the History of Clermont, Florida". Florida Libraries.
37. "Cooper Memorial Library {{!}} Clermont".
38. "Cooper Memorial Library, part of the Lake County Library System".
39. Solodev. (2019-09-27). "About Clermont {{!}} The official site of the City of Clermont, Florida".
40. "Cooper Memorial Library {{!}} Clermont".
41. Solodev. (2019-09-27). "Historic Downtown {{!}} The official site of the City of Clermont, Florida".
42. Dickinson, Joy Wallace. "'Winn-Dixie' author returns to Florida roots in new tale". OrlandoSentinel.com.
43. Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154. "Daniel Webster (Florida (FL)), 119th Congress Profile".