Melrose, Florida

The Lake Santa Fe community of Melrose, Florida is only about 11 0r 12 miles from Florahome and rests in no less than four different counties including Alachua, Bradford, Clay and our own Putnam County. Originally called Shake Rag for the rag shaking signal used to start many a horse race back in the early days, 'Melrose' was eventually decided a more suitable replacement reflecting the resident's beginnings rather than the race's. Today, Melrose, Florida continues making improvements while remembering its past offering one of the nicest places in the area to visit or to live.


Where is Melrose,  Florida:

The first map shows Melrose about 20 miles or so east of Gainesville with the second map indicating how to get to Melrose from Florahome. Just head west on Florida State Road 100, and make a left at 26 when you get to Putnam Hall. It'll take you straight to Melrose. Pretty simple.

Click on map to enlarge

The last map depicts the lay of the land just south of Lake Santa Fe from Melrose Elementary School to Santa Fe Park. Welcome to Melrose!

Click on map to enlarge

A Few Links and Numbers:

The Basics  (from Wikipedia)
Lake Santa Fe
This next link will keep you in the loop about what's going on in Melrose Florida.
Melrosefl.com
Melrose Elementary School
Putnam County School District  (includes school websites)

Public Library (make sure you click the Melrose branch on this link)
312 Wynnwood Avenue
PO Box 1048
Melrose, Florida 32666-1048
904-475-1237

Post Office
859 N STATE ROAD 21
MELROSE, FL 32666-9998
(800) ASK-USPS
(800) 275-8777
Hours:
Mon-Fri
9:30am-12:00pm
1:00pm-4:30pm
Sat
9:30am-12:00pm

Post Office
PUTNAM HALL
971 STATE ROAD 26
MELROSE, FL 32666-3141
(800) ASK-USPS
(800) 275-8777
Hours
Mon-Fri
7:30am-12:00pm
1:00pm-4:00pm

Real Estate
Melrose Bay Art Gallery
The Blue Water Bay
Puppy Hill Farm Animal Rescue
Yellowbook - Melrose, Florida
Chiappini's

Also on Florahome USA
Keystone Heights, FL
Interlachen, FL
Grandin, FL
A Place Called George's Lake
Palatka, FL
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Interlachen, Florida

Interlachen Hall - Interlachen, Florida

It's probably more accurate to describe Interlachen, Florida as a cousin than a neighbor. That's especially true for those who have grown up here in Florahome and gotten a good deal of their formal education in Interlachen. But even for those who have lived in Florahome only a short time, it's soon apparent - the common experiences these two communities have shared beginning even before the first railroad tracks were laid in the late 1800s, a bond was formed that can be felt to this day. As the photo at the top of this post clearly demonstrates, the Interlachen community hasn't forgotten its history and as it continues to work toward its preservation Florahome residents may in turn gain a better understanding of their own history.

Where is Interlachen Florida?

Though situated between Jacksonville and Orlando, the name Interlachen actually means 'between the lakes'. The next maps show first how to get there from Florahome and the second conveys how the place got its name.

Heading west on Florida State Road 100 from Florahome, make a left when you get to Grandin onto County Rd 315 and keep heading south.

Click on map to enlarge

If you click on the above map you'll see two lakes - Lake Chipco and Lake Lagonda and the historic part of town between them. Interlachen is also between two other cities - Gainesville to the west and Palatka to the east as the arrows indicate. The last map is a closer view of the town between the lakes and Interlachen Hall pictured at the top of this post, where the community has been meeting since 1892.

Click on map to enlarge

Links and Numbers for Interlachen, Florida:

Town of Interlachen
The Historical Society of Interlachen
The Interlachen Library (Make sure you click the Interlachen branch on this link)

US Post Office
100 Mathe Ave, Interlachen, FL 32148
(386) 684-2228

Interlachen Elementary School
C. H. Price Middle School
Interlachen High School
Interlachen Real Estate
Putnam County Florida

Also on Florahome USA -

Grandin, Florida
Keystone Heights, Florida
Palatka, Florida
Melrose, Florida
A Place Called George's Lake

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The City of Palatka

Palatka, Florida

So let's cut to the chase. For those not from around here, the city of Palatka, Florida is Florahome's nearest Walmart. Not that Florahome suffers from any Walmart envy - our Dollar General is just fine thanks, but if you're looking to buy a car or you'd like to see a movie before it comes out on DVD, Palatka is only a few minutes drive. Okay - it's just the one theater,... but still. Palatka also hosts the Azalea Festival every spring and if you keep up with Florida's events on Florahome USA's, Things to do in Florida list, you'll be seeing the Blue Crab Festival showing up there in May. The Blue Crab Festival is a major deal in Palatka as the weather heats up and Florida becomes Flip Flop World. No, Palatka doesn't have a Flip Flop World but if you're in the market, that big store they have there is currently offering rollback prices. "ATTENTION!!!... CUSTOMER NEEDS ASSISTANCE IN FLIP FLOPS!" Really, the City of Palatka, much like Florahome was always intended to be a wonderful place to live or visit and though in many ways they already are, both have had their share of setbacks and have yet to realize their full potential. Improvements continue to be made however and as the above picture indicates the city of Palatka is well on its way to becoming the North Central Florida jewel it was always meant to be.

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For those planning to visit Palatka or if you'd just like to learn more, offered below are maps and other information to help familiarize you with the city.

For those unfamiliar with the area, the tiny bulls eye on the map above indicates where Palatka is located in the state of Florida.

Click to enlarge

If you enlarge the above map, you will see in the upper left-hand corner where Florahome is in relation to Palatka. Following Florida State Road 100 heading east from Florahome one of the first things you'll see as you reach Palatka is the Palatka Municipal Airport. The orange square on the map just to the right of the airport indicates the location depicted in the next map showing you have two options if you've just gotta have those flip flops.

Moody Road will take you straight to Walmart or continuing on to 19 and making a right will not only take you to Walmart but also Home Depot, Lowes, Krystal, The Golden Corral, the Mall,... well you get the idea. The Putnam Community Medical Center aka the hospital is indicated on the map by the red letter H, and the Library as well as St. Johns River State College are also in this same area. If you choose to stay on SR 100 or 'Reid Street', you may decide to check-in at The Holiday Inn Express in the west part of town or maybe the Budget Inn just a little further down on the right. You will also pass the old train depot which is now a model train museum for all you train buffs. Another point of interest in Palatka, FL frequently mentioned on Florahome USA and one you won't see just anywhere in Florida is Ravine Gardens State Park. Watch for the signs on the right as you near the downtown section. This next map depicts what has always been the City's main attraction even before William Bartram's famous travels, The St. Johns River, and here you will find more accommodations if you plan to hang around for a while.

The Bronson Mulholland house is also on this side of the bridge offering a chance to revisit a special chapter in Palatka history and discover what nineteenth century life in Florida was really like. The Blue Crab Festival and other events take place along the river and through the downtown area so this is the place to be if you happen to find yourself in the neighborhood around the latter part of May. Crossing the bridge into East Palatka, you'll see the Putnam County Fairgrounds along with favorite eating spots like Corky Bells Seafood Restaurant or Musselwhite's, but one thing you won't find is Walmart. Maybe they just don't wear flip flops on that side of the river.

For more about Palatka, Wikipedia provides an excellent overview of The City.

For Flip Flops:

Walmart Supercenter
1024 S State Road 19
Palatka, FL 32177
(386) 328-6733

Accommodations in the city of Palatka:

Quality Inn & Suites Riverfront
201 N. 1st Street
Palatka, FL, US, 32177-3703
Phone: 386-328-3481
Fax: 386-329-9907

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Palatka Northwest
3813 Reid St, Palatka, FL 32177
(800) 345-8082
Front Desk: 1-386-325-2500
Fax: 1-386-325-2501

Budget Inn
100 Moseley Ave Palatka, FL 32177
386-328-1533

William Penn Motel
100 Federal Street
Palatka, FL 32177-3799
386-328-1587

Sleep Inn & Suites
3805 Reid Street
Palatka, FL 32177
Phone: 386-325-8889
Fax: 386-325-7779

Crystal Cove Resort
133 Crystal Cove Drive
Palatka, Florida 32177
386-325-1055

Azalea House Bed & Breakfast
220 Madison Street
Palatka, FL 32177-3531
386-325-4547

Palatka Daily News
Palatka Downtown
Places to eat in Palatka, FL
Palatka Municipal Airport
Ravine Gardens State Park (check out these beautiful photos)
The Bronson-Mulholland House
100 Madison Street
Palatka, FL 32177-3529
386-329-0140
The Larimer Art Center
Parks and Recreation
Putnam Athletic League
Palatka Real Estate
WPLK AM 800
HOPE FM 91.3

Palatka Public Library (Make sure you click Palatka on this link)
601 College Road
Palatka, FL 32177-3873
386-329-0126

Putnam Historic Museum (next to the Bronson-Mulholland House)
Street Address
100 Madison Street
Palatka, FL 32178
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 35
Palatka, FL 32178
phone: 386-325-9825

Let's get down to business:

City of Palatka (website)
Putnam County Chamber of Commerce

Also on Florahome USA:

Keystone Heights, Florida
Grandin, Florida
Interlachen, Florida
Melrose, Florida
A Place Called George's Lake

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The City of Palatka - Florahome USA
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Grandin, Florida

Grandin, FL nostalgia

This nostalgically enhanced photo of Grandin, Florida is just a small tribute to Mr. Sykes - one of Grandin's most well known and beloved former residents who in the hearts of those old enough to remember, still waves at each passing motorist. The 'service' station and store which he ran for more years than probably any of us can remember, was a place you'll likely see only in a museum or a Norman Rockwell painting these days. Warmed by a stove and Mr. Sykes smile, it's neighborly Mayberry-like charm too has faded with time and memory into Florida's past. It's said that Grandin, like Florahome, was named for a lady and also like Florahome, our close neighbors to the west were really "put on the map" when the Southern Georgia and Florida railroad came through in the waning years of the nineteenth century. Grandin's real distinction however probably has more to do with the automobile than the train. Being situated at the intersection of Florida State Road 100 and County Road 315, it was the ideal spot for Mr. Sykes and Grandin as his wave called attention to the place for years from Florida residents and out of state travelers from every direction. Time marches on though and like Florahome, Grandin has changed and will continue to do so. It seems fitting that presently a cross can be seen by passers by only a short distance from where Mr. Sykes once sat outside his store. Grandin, Florida has always been at the crossroads - spiritually as well as physically with the establishment of nearby Paran Baptist Church going all the way back to 1856. Hopefully, that spirit, once conveyed by a simple wave of the hand will continue to thrive for those at the crossroads and for all who pass through a place called Grandin, Florida.


Please help Florahome USA preserve the history of Grandin and other places in Florida by e-mailing any info, stories or photos you'd like to share (not copywrited please) to the address at the bottom of the page. Thanks

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Where is Grandin FL?

Note: To get to Jacksonville, head in the direction indicated by the arrow on the map above on County Road 315 making a right turn at 21. A left turn will take you to Keystone Heights.

If you would like to add the name of your church or business in Grandin, FL to this page or correct any information, you can e-mail Florahome USA at the address at the bottom of the page.


Grandin Post Office
938 N County Road 315
Interlachen, FL
(386) 659-2493
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Churches in Grandin Florida:

Paran Baptist Church
125 Paran Church Rd
Grandin, FL 32138
386-659-2083
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Businesses in Grandin, Florida:

New Day Homes
New Day Builders, LLC
1327 State Road 100
Post Office Box 6
Grandin, FL 32138
(386) 659-2600

Birth And Beyond
1326 State Road 100
Grandin, FL 32138
(386) 659-2104

Tangled Oaks Vineyard
1317 State Road 100
Grandin, Florida 32138
(386) 659-1707

Also on Florahome USA:

Keystone Heights, Florida
Palatka, Florida
Melrose, Florida
Interlachen, Florida
A Place Called George's Lake
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Maps of Florahome, Florida

To see where Florahome is on the maps of Florida --CLICK HERE
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If you click on the map below, you will see Florahome and some of its closest neighbors, Keystone Heights, Melrose, Interlachen and Palatka, Florida.

Zooming in on Florahome you can see by the red dot where the photo at the top of the Florahome USA blog was taken. For those unfamiliar with the area and your gps just went kaflooey, the arrows all indicate where you will end up taking the different roads. Please note; if you take County Road 315 heading north, make a right turn at 21 to get to Jacksonville, a left turn will take you to Keystone Heights.

This last map also shows where the blog's photo was taken along with most of the roads near State Road 100 in Florahome. You will also find maps of individual businesses in Florahome, Florida on the Florahome USA business page, but really,... they're not that hard to find.

Where is Florahome, Florida?

Where Florahome, Florida is can best be answered by showing its location in relation to its two largest neighbors - Gainesville and Palatka Florida. Viewing Florahome on the Florida map, we're on Florida State Road 100 about 30 miles east of Gainesville which is about a 45 minute drive passing through the town of Melrose.

Click on map to enlarge

Heading east from Florahome, Palatka, FL is only about a 16 mile trip which usually takes around twenty to twenty five minutes according to who's doing the driving.

Click on map to enlarge

Jacksonville is about a 1hr 15 to 1hr 30 minute drive north, and if your heading to Disney World or Universal Studios in Orlando to the south, it'll take you about two hours to get there and probably a little more if your thirsty. Daytona Beach is happily even a little closer than that. At either end of SR 100 We have beautiful Flagler Beach on the eastern end and the Georgia border just a stone's throw from the other. Historic St. Augustine is only about an hour from here, and from Melrose to Interlachen to Keystone Heights we have an abundance of lakes, so all in all,... where Florahome, Florida is ain't too bad.

Also on Florahome USA
A Place Called George's Lake
Maps of George's Lake
Grandin, Florida

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