PUTNAM COUNTY
County Offices
514 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka 386-329-0212
http://main.putnam-fl.com/
Chamber of Commerce
1100 Reid Street
Palatka 386-328-1503
http://www.putnamcountychamber.com/
Services
The lush, rural expanse of Putnam County still relies on manufacturers of plywood and pulp and paper products as its largest employers. Students of all ages can look forward to opportunities for a quality education, enhanced by the Putnam County Library facilities, resources, and programs. From story time for the younger set to author visits and the classic film series, the library system serves to a wide cross-section of interests and age groups. In addition to its own quality public school system, the area provides access to public and private colleges and universities. Among them are the University of Florida, St. Leo University, First Coast Technical Institute, and St. Johns River Community College.
Newcomers can look forward to advanced healthcare services at the Putnam Community Medical Center, a 141-bed, acute-care facility in Palatka. The hospital combines the latest technology with a highly skilled professional staff to balance quality care with cost-effective delivery of services. The hospital offers a critical care unit, skilled nursing unit, progressive care unit, medical and surgical units, family birthplace center, and a 24-hour emergency department. Other services include a diagnostic imaging department, company care, and an outpatient rehabilitation facility. Community outreach and education programs promote health and wellness throughout the county.
Lifestyle
Claiming a colorful history as a gilded 19th century resort for throngs of winter visitors, Putnam County has managed to preserve its pristine natural beauty, friendly towns, quaint historic districts, and reputation for bass fishing. The attractions of Jacksonville and Daytona Beach are only 55 miles from this region, anchored by the county seat of Palatka. Once known as the “Gem of the St. Johns,” Palatka’s world-class hotels were destroyed in the great fires of 1884 and the region’s agricultural crops fell to devastating freezes. This seeming misfortune actually saved Putnam County from the unbridled growth and development that overdeveloped other regions of Florida. While Putnam County offers every modern convenience, it also preserves the atmosphere of an earlier era of tranquility and natural beauty.
Golfers will enjoy the Palatka Municipal Golf Course, an unaltered Donald Ross design. Swimming, sailing, and boating are popular leisure activities on sparkling bodies of water that include St. Johns River, Lake George, and Crescent Lake. Several hiking trails run though the heart of Putnam County, home to abundant wildlife that include deer, wild boar, duck and quail. The Cross Florida Greenway begins just southwest of Palatka for additional recreational opportunities. Anglers can look forward to relaxing days in the “Bass Capital of the World.” One of the most impressive attractions is Ravine State Gardens, featuring azalea gardens, an amphitheater, and suspension bridges in a natural setting around a 125-foot deep ravine. Cultural attractions include art exhibits and live performances at the Larimer Arts Center, the historic Tilghman House, and the Florida School of the Arts. Festivals and celebrations, local shopping, elegant architecture, and beautiful new developments are part of the attraction to the region’s small cities, towns, and open countryside.
Crescent City
City Hall
386-698-2525
www.crescentcity-fl.com
Chamber of Commerce
386-328-1503
http://www.putnamcountychamber.com/
Named after the largest of two lakes within the community, Crescent City offers a peaceful residential haven. The rich, fertile soil around the lake once produced outstanding citrus groves in this area known for its world-class bass fishing. Well-kept homes in Crescent City line streets shaded by massive oaks laced with Spanish moss. Fruit trees, shrubs, and brilliant blooms complement the cityscape in this idyllic small town. Crescent Lake is nestled on a narrow strip of land between the two bodies of water to ensure unparalleled opportunities for water sports and outdoor enjoyment. The smaller of the two lakes, Lake Stella, was so named for its resemblance to the shape of a star. Crescent City Campground is a favorite gathering place for friends, neighbors, and family.
Florahome
County Offices
386-329-0212
www.putnam-fl.com
Chamber of Commerce
386-328-1503
http://www.putnamcountychamber.com/
Not far from Gainesville is the small community of Florahome, once known as the center of a profitable truck-growing region. This population center actually had its genesis in 1899 when the Etoniah Canal and Drainage Company drained the prairie at the edge of town, making vast fertile acres available for farmland. Today, these drained mucklands support farming and timber enterprises. The only activity that resembles industry is peat mining, which is still agriculturally oriented. In spite of the fact that the local peat company has changed ownership several times, the enterprise has thrived for more than 50 years. New residents will find a variety of home styles and sizes in Florahome, where a close-knit community atmosphere and the pleasures of small-town living have remained relatively unchanged.
Grandin
County Offices
386-329-0212
www.putnam-fl.com
Chamber of Commerce
386-328-1503
http://www.putnamcountychamber.com/
Nestled in the lake area near Interlachen is the village of Grandin, just 20 miles northwest of Palatka. The area’s development dates back to 1888 when the town was named for a lovely lady of New Jersey — Miss Grandin. According to local lore, she as admired by one of the settlers of the community. Sparkling Lake Grandin provides a focal point of recreational activity and natural beauty for the residential development that surrounds it. Towering, majestic oak trees create an oasis of greenery for lakefront properties and countryside homes. Residents enjoy the relaxed pace of a rural lifestyle in a serene small town, yet the amenities of metropolitan centers like Jacksonville, Gainesville, and Ocala are available within a reasonable commute. Lake Grandin offers an ideal location for a weekend retreat, a seasonal home, retirement haven, or hometown.
Interlachen
Town Hall
386-684-3811
www.interlachen-fl.gov
Chamber of Commerce
386-328-1503
http://www.putnamcountychamber.com/
As you might expect from a community with a name that means “between the lakes,” the small town of Interlachen enjoys a scenic location near crystal blue lake waters. Lake Lagonda and Lake Chipco border the town, although a number of other lakes and ponds are located nearby in this water-rich region. For many decades, Interlachen remained a favored destination for New England visitors. Some owned vacation cottages while others took advantage of local hotels. At the peak of its popularity, Interlachen boasted daily train service. The area has always been known for recreational opportunities that include bicycling, fishing, and hunting. Spring-fed, sand-bottom lakes create wonderful beaches for picnicking, playing volleyball, and relaxing. Breathtaking sunsets, the thrill of catching a large-mouth bass, jet skiing, relaxing on a paddle boat, or swimming in the warm sunshine are just a few of the pleasures of Interlachen living. Shopping is available close to home, and expanded amenities in Gainesville are only a half-hour’s drive from Interlachen.
Palatka
City Hall
386-329-0100
https://palatka-fl.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
386-328-1503
http://www.putnamcountychamber.com/
Marking a 150th anniversary in 2003, the leading City of Palatka blends historic charm with modern conveniences. “The Gem City of the St. Johns River” is home to Ravine Gardens State Park, where plunging ravines create a paradise of dramatic scope and natural beauty. Covering 55 acres and ranging in depth from 70 to 120 feet, the ravine also features freshwater springs. In fact, the springs provided the city with water until 1996 when a new water plant was constructed at Kay Larkin Airport. While downtown Palatka continues to play a central role within the city, expansion has steadily moved westward. As long ago as the mid-20th century, new subdivisions and retail centers began to spring up, including Palatka Mall. Charming historic districts in Old Palatka showcase many elegantly renovated Victorians and other homes from the early 1900s. The North Historic District is home to the Putnam Historic Museum and Palatka’s oldest house, while the South Historic District features the Tilghman Art Gallery and riverfront park.
