Orange Blossom Cannonball Steam Engine Run

When and where does it run:
Tavares, FL
Saturday run times: 10:00am 12:30pm and 3:00pm
Sunday run times: 12:30pm and 3:00pm

Train Route:
Tavares wooten park to Lake Jem and back

Train Information:
Type 2-6-0
Built in January 1907 in Philadelphia U.S
Baldwin Locomotive Works
Burnham Williams & Co.

Railroad Line:
Florida Central R.R

Tavares, FL History:
Tavares, (The Hub) of Lake County". was founded in 1882 and became the county seat in 1888 after a highly controversianl election. Although historical records say that Tavares won the election local historians tell a different story. According to legend, the City of Tavares and the City of Leesburg were both vying for the Country Seat. The election returns in Meanwhile W.D. Mendenhall, the postmaster, was determined to keep the judge, who was in Deland, to seek a court injunction aganinst moving the plan, H.H. Duncan secreted the country records away and transported them to Tavares via rowboat and horse drawn wagon.

Henry Holcomb Duncan was widely known for introducing the bill that created Lake County in 1887 from portions of Orange and Sumter Countries. Duncan became the first County Clerk and held the position for 33 years untill his death in 1920. He was know as a fearless and honorable man, and beloved by the people of Lake County. In his honor a bronze tablet hangs in the Lake County Historic Court House which reads simply "A Friend of the People".



Major Alexander St. Clair-Abrams, another notable founding father, is responsible for purchasing the land upon which Tavares sits. He planned the City, naming many of the streets after after family members, in hopes that Tavares would someday became the state captial. St. Clair-Abrams was responsible for pioneering transportation and commerce routes through Tavares including bringing five railroads through the City and widening the Dora Canal for passage by steamer. He also built much of the early commercial foundation of the City including, a sawmill, a hotel and an opera house.

Since the 1880's Tavares has been a center for government, the citrus industry, as well as a destination for tourists who enjoyed the beautiful view of Lake Dora from the old lakeside pavllion. Although the pavllion is long since gone, tourists still enjoy the lake front park, visit historic sites, and conduct governmental business in the quaint little City of Tavares.