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SEBRING, FLORIDA
Highlands County '
Part A---General Information
1. Location
Sebring is in South Florida, 91 miles southeast of Tampa, 9 miles south of
Avon Park and 58 miles northwest of Okeechobee. The town is built around Lake
Rex Beach (formerly Lake Jackson) and is near Lake Istokpoga. The elevation is
160 feet.
2. Transportation
Florida Highways 17 and 25 pass through Sebring. The Seaboard Air Line Rail-
road and the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad provide rail service. Bus service
is provided by Greyhound Lines. Scheduled commercial air service is not avail-
able, but Iartin Aviation Company operates a charter flight service.
3. Population
Highlands County had a population of 16,220 in 1945. The population of Sebring
was 4,893 in 1945 and was estimated at 6,900 in 1948.
4. Climate
(Based on U. S. Weat'-er Bureau observations at Avon Park for a 44-year period.)
Normal Normal Normal Normal
Temperature Rainfall Temperature Rainfall
January 63.2 2.22 July 81.5 8.18
February 64.5 2.43 August 81.8 7.83
March 68.4 2.17 September 80.3 6.67
April 72.4 2.37 October 75.3 4.04
May 77.0 4.52 November 68.2 1.56
June 80.1 8.13 December 63.8 2.10
Anual- .; 73.0. 52.22
5. History
Sebring was founded in 1912 by the late George E. Sebring. The city was in-
corporated in 1913 and expanded in area in 1925. Highlands County was created
in 1921 from part of DeSoto County. The county takes its name from the
abundant highlands in this area.
6. Major Sources of Income
Winter tourists are one of the most important sources of income in Sebring.
The population of the city increases about 75% during the winter, due to the
many visitors. Citrus is also a major source of income. Sebring has two
citrus packing houses, one citrus cannery, many small citrus shippers and a
large shipper of tropical fruits such as mangoes, avocados and limes. This is
an important truck crop and cattle section.
7. Newspapers
Weekly:- Sebring American, circulation, 1,200, and Highlands County News, cir-
culation,.1,050.
8. Private Schools
Mrs. J. H. Sharp operates a kindergarten for day students.
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SEBRING, FLORIDA
Part B---Recreation and Entertainment
1. Special Events
Highlands County Fair, March or April; Senior Amateur Golf Tournament,
February; boat races,-several times a year; occasional quarter horse races.
2. Athletic Events
High school football games during October and November, baseball-spring train-
ing during March and the annual Senior Amateur Golf Tournament during February
are the principal athletic events in Sebring.
3. Commercial Attractions
Highlands Hammock State Park, six miles west of Sebring on Florida Highway 634,
is rated by the National Fark Service as one of the three outstanding natural
parks in the nation. Emphasis has been placed on preserving this jungleland
in its natural state. A trailer bus is used to carry passengers on a guided
tour of the park, with stops at the major points of interest. The trip re-
quires about 45 minutes and costs 250. A giant oak at the park is estimated to
be nearly 950 years old. It is now reinforced with 40 tons of concrete and
steel. Another oak tree, estimated to be about 845 years old, is 31 feet in
circumference. It is regarded as one of the largest of its kind in the United
States. Native orchids can be seen blooming here at any time of the year.
The park is open the year round, but spring is considered the best season to
visit it.
4. Tourist Clubs
Sebring Tourist Club has shuffleboard and horseshoe courts. Frequent parties,
card games and other entertainment are held during the winter. Dues are $2
per year.
5. Recreational Clubs
Sebring Tennis Club
Sebring Boat Club
Sebring Golf Association
Sebring Women's Golf Association
Highlands County Fish and Game Association
6. Civic Organizations
Name
Business & Professional
Women's Club
Civic Improvement Association
Junior Woman's Club
Kiwanis Club
Lions Club
Rotary Club
Woman's Club
7. Fraternal Organizations
Name
American Legion
American Legion Auxiliary
Eastern Star
Elks
F & AM
Veterans of Foreign Wars
VFW Auxiliary
Woodmen Circle
Woodmen of the World
Day & Time of Meeting
1st & 3rd Monday
1st Monday
2nd & 4th Monday
Wednesday, 12:15
Tuesday, 12:15
Monday, 12:15 -
1st & 3rd Monday
Day & Time of Meeting
2nd Monday
2nd Monday
1st & 3rd Thursday
1st & 3rd Wednesday
2nd & 4th Thursday
1st Monday
1st Tuesday
2nd & 4th Tuesday
inactive
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Place of Meeting
BPWC Building
Recreation Center
Woman's Club
Fisher's Restaurant
Nan-Ces-O-Wee Hotel
Nan-Ces-0-Wee Hotel
Woman's Club
Place of Meeting
USO Building
varies
Masonic Lodge
Elks Club
Masonic Lodge
VFW Building
VFW Building
BPWC Building
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SEBRING, FLORIDA
8. Organized Entertainment
The high school band gives free band concerts at the City Pier bandshell every
Sunday during January, February and March. Every winter there is an artist
series.
9. Recreational Facilities
Sebring Recreation Center has lighted shuffleboard and horseshoe courts for the
Tourist Club, lighted tennis courts and an auditorium. A swimming area, sand
beach and free lockers are provided at City Pier. The USO building is used
for Teen Town meetings and, by special arrangement, for other purposes. Harder
Hall golf course, 18 holes, is open the year round. Kenilworth golf course is
open during the winter.
10. Hunting
Doves, quail, deer, duck, turkeys, squirrels, raccoons, and rabbits are found in
this section. However, there is very little unposted hunting ground. There
are no hunting lodges or hunting guides.
11. Fishing
Fresh water bass, bream and perch are caught in Lake Rex Beach and Dinner Lake.
Fresh water bass, bream, perch and catfish are caught in Arbuckle Creek,
Kissimmee River and Lake Istakpoga. 4E Fishing Camp, 35 miles from Sebring,
and Ray's, 2 miles from Sebring, have rooms. Underhill's Camp, 40 miles away,
has cabins. None of the fishing camps have restaurants or dining rooms. Row-
boats and a few motorboats are available. There are no fishing guides in this
area.
12. Churches
Baptist, Brethren, Catholic, Christian, Christian Science, Church of Christ,
Church of God, Church of the Nazarene, Episcopal, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jewish,
Methodist, Presbyterian and Salvation Army denominations have services in
Sebring.
Part C--Accommodations
1. Hotels
Name Rooms Plan
Hotel Bolt 25 European
Clark's Inn 13 & 3 apartments European
Grey Top Inn European
Harder Hall 250 American
Kenilworth Lodge 200 American
Nan-Ces-0-Wee 60 European
New Tropical 34 European
Pennsylvania 35 European
Roanoke 17 European
Santa Rosa 38 European
Sebring 100 European
Southern Rose 15 European
Whitehouse 13 European
2. Tourist Courts
Elite Tourist Park, North Ridgewood Drive (Florida Highway 17), four blocks
north of business district. Rates: $4 single, $8 double.
Weinel Motor Court, Florida Highway 25, 1 mile from business district.
SEBRING, FLORIDA
3. Trailer Courts
Elite Cabins and Trailer Park, North Ridgewood Drive (Florida Highway 17), four
blocks north of business district. Space for 30 trailers; underground
electrical, water and sewer connections. Rates (two persons in trailer):
$1 per day, $5 per week, $18 per month. No pets.
Southern Rose Trailer Park, North Ridgewood Drive (Florida Highway 17), two
blocks north of business district.
Sebring Trailer Park, Florida Highway 17, l1 miles north of business district.
Space for 70 trailers, electric, water and sewer connections; washing tubs
and washing machines. Rates: $1 per day; $5 per week.
4. Other Accommodations
The Chamber of Commerce provides information on guest homes, apartments and
houses that are for rent.
Further information on Sebring can be obtained from:
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Post Office Box 507
Sebring, Florida
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