When it's sleepy time down south: Historic places to hang your hat Part 1 of 2
Story & Photos by: Larry Levey - News-Sun August 1, 2001 - Explorer Page Coordinator

A community's history comes alive when you stay at its historic lodgings, as you'll see by these Highlands County settings

Kenilworth Lodge
Sebring - The Kenilworth Lodge was built as part of George Sebring's vision to develop Sebring into a "delightful, wholesome community" for "contented and happy people seeking health, pleasure and happiness."

The lodge was meant to appeal to "well-to-do Northern travelers." The Mediterranean Revival-style architecture featured - for its time - some very modern touches, like pre-hung doors, electricity throughout the interior, an Otis elevator. All guest rooms had private baths, except for six pairs of rooms which shared a bath between them (for family groups).

The lodge featured a center section, a 4,000-square-foot lobby and a grand staircase. Two wings jutted out on each side. It opened in 1916 and by 1919 construction was under way to enlarge the two wings to include more guest rooms.

At one time, the Kenilworth Lodge complex consisted of 320 acres. As described by Stephen Olausen, in his book, Sebring - City on the Circle, visitors could play golf on an 18-hole championship course, stroll through the lodge's orange grove, relax on the sloping lawn that extended to the beach at Lake Jackson, go sailboating or fishing, or hunt in the untamed wilderness surrounding Sebring.

Today's guests will still find many historic touches at the lodge. There's a front verandah with wooden rocking chairs, a lobby furnished with pre-war Haywood-Wakefield rattan and rooms filled with White Oak Nouveau furniture.

More modern features include an 80-foot outdoors pool, phones with data ports and voice mail and individual air conditioning/heat in each room. Recreation (billiards, ping pong and shuffleboard) a ballroom and a conference room are on hand, with golf packages at area golf courses.

Accommodations included lodge rooms (king, twin or double), villas, efficiencies and one-bedroom apartments.

Mornings begin with a "quick-start" breakfast of cold or hot cereal, fresh fruit, bagels, English muffins, pastries, three kinds of juices, coffee and tea.

For details, write:
Kenilworth Lodge
836 SE Lakeview Drive
Sebring, FL 33870
Call 863-385-0111, 1-800-423-5939

Hotel Jacaranda
Avon Park - The name comes from the 150-year old Jacaranda tree growing where the hotel was to be built. it was 1923 - the Florida Boom Era. "The tree was something of a landmark in Avon Park," wrote Don Applequist, executive director of the South Florida Community College Foundation, "and there was much consternation that it had to be felled to make room for the building. In fact, local citizens tried to replant the giant tree elsewhere, but it failed."

For several years, the hotel, built by two Michigan furniture makers, John Raab and Harry Winters, and designed by noted architect William Heim, was known as the "Queen of the Ridge," thanks to its elegant accommodations and dining. "There was an elevator for guests," wrote Applequist. "An exterior vine-covered patio with massive columns was available for relaxing (where the wimming pool is now); and dinner music was provided nightly in the beautiful Palm Room by a five-member ensemble of musicians called the "Versatillians."

As a hotel brochure points out, the Great Depression of the 1930s and the War Years of the 1940s "robbed her of her youth and sparkle. A series of loving owners tried their best to maintain her ... but the new trend toward highway hotels was just too much and the downward spiral continued."

By 1988, the Jacaranda teetered on the edge of being closed down by the fire marshall. But then, just like in those old-time westerns, the U.S. Cavalry, in the form of South Florida Community College, with President Catherine Cornelius leading the charge, arrived on the scene to rescue the "Queen."

The college got into the Jacaranda act because of
(1) its expanding programs in culinary arts, hospitality management and historic building restoration
(2) the need for student housing
(3) the desire to improve the economy of the community.

What actually happened? "... an enthusiastic crew of college staff, students and volunteers began the tedious jobs of scraping off all the accumulated coats of paint, patching, sealing, repainting, restoring the brass hardware and china fixtures, refinishing the ... wood floors, rewiring and replumbing."

Today, the "Jac" offers guests a choice of restored guest rooms, mini suites, master suites and grand suites, with the grand suite featuring a living room, two bedrooms and two baths. The restored lobby readily lends itselft to relaxing, reading, conversing, card playing or working puzzles. And there's a heated, enclosed swimming pool.

Except in the summer, the dining room is open for lunch and dinner, with a southern-style buffet, salad bar and a la carte menu. A grand buffet is offered on Sundays. It is closed Saturdays and Mondays.

For details, write:
The Hotel Jacaranda
19 East Main St.,
Avon Park, FL 33825
call: 863-453-2211

Santa Rosa Inn and 1924 Cafe Sebring - This three-story red-brick hotel, opened in 1924, and located just off the Sebring Circle and at one time just one block from the Atlantic Coastline Depot, catered to traveling businessmen and vacationers looking for downtown lodging.

In 1926, said co-owner Jan Bowden, "A third story was added because business demanded it. The third floor also contains compartments used for storage of luggage for long-term guests."

Jan and her husband, Don, are only the third owners of the property, which once boasted 30 rooms. It was built by Aaron Withers, described by local historian and writer Elizabeth Walker as "George Sebring's right-hand man." Withers, who arrived here as part of Sebring's original survey crew, later became the community's first fire chief and marshal and sat on the original town council.

Martin and Mary McGee bought the hotel after Withers' death in 1935. McGee served as mayor of Sebring from 1943 to his death in 1948. His widow, Mary, continued operating the hotel until her death in 1987, when the Bowdens took over.

The hotel, writes Olausen, was an impressive sight: "Set back on a large lot, attractively landscaped with flowering bushes and shaded by massive oak trees, the ... Santa roas offered an inviting atmosphere to its clientele."

Today, the Inn has 19 rooms and five suites, "all renovated to blend Old World charm with modern convenience. Mahogany chests, wicker chairs, clawfoot baths ... complement the comforts of Stears and Foster bedding and cable television," said a brochure. The landscaping and those oak trees still offer "an inviting atmosphere."

The 1924 Cafe is aptly named, for the atmosphere is decidedly 1920s, complete with Queen Anne chairs. The cafe, featuring a gourmet menu, is open for lunch and dinner, but only for lunch during the summer. Breakfast is not served.