SEBRING, FLORIDA

Sebring is in deep south Central Florida, many miles from an Interstate highway and the tourist attractions and theme parks of Orlando.  It is located on US-27 about 170 miles northwest of Miami and 86 miles northeast of Fort Myers.

This area is on the central Florida sand ridge with some of the highest elevations in south Florida.

Sebring is near Highlands Hammock State Park , a popular attraction and beautiful example of natural old Florida.  The park is a great place to camp while visiting Sebring, Lake Placid and the nearby scenic highways.

History of Sebring 

Sebring is on the eastern shore of Lake Jackson in the Ridge Area of southern Central Florida.

The land for the town was purchased in 1911 by George E. Sebring, a pottery manufacturer from Sebring, Ohio. Mr. Sebring planned a city on the principle of the mythological Grecian city of Heliopolis, the "city of the sun".

The town was designed and built with streets radiating outward from a central park representing the sun. Surveys were made and construction began on the town in 1912, a few months before the arrival of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.

The city grew quickly as the citrus industry thrived in this part of Florida.  The first setback to the town came in 1917 when a freeze killed or damaged many groves in the area.  These groves were replanted, and the town continued to grow steadily until the real estate boom of 1924-1925.

Sebring survived the land boom collapse, and continued to grow slowly when it became the county seat of Highlands County.  The county was formed in 1921 from part of DeSoto County and is named for the high sand ridge that forms this part of Florida.

Sebring is the home of the Sebring International Raceway, created on a huge former World War Two Army Air Force base. It was first used for car races in 1950.  It hosted the 1959 Formula One United States Grand Prix, but is currently best known as the host of the 12 Hours of Sebring, an annually held American Le Mans Series race.

Nearby Highlands Hammock State Park is a popular attraction.

The house at 2701 Northeast Lakeview Drive where novelist Rex Beach committed suicide is located on one of Sebring's main lakes, Lake Jackson.

SEBRING, FLORIDA HOTELS

• Quality Inn & Suites Conference Center, 6525 US Hwy 27 North, Sebring, Florida 33870. 863-385-4500. Nice clean accommodations, reasonable rates, conveniently located.
  
  
• Kenilworth Lodge, 836 SE Lakeview Dr, Sebring, Florida 33870. Tel: 863-385-0111. This is a historic inn overlooking Sebring's Lake Jackson. Constructed in 1916 by City of Sebring founder George Sebring, the Kenilworth is one of the finest examples of Mediterranean-Revival architecture in Florida. It has been restored with resort amenities, including golf. Villas and efficencies, lodge rooms, apartments and suites. All accommodations include mini-fridges, voice mail, individual A/C units and television with 5 free premium movie channels and 6 dedicated sports channels. (Note:  As of November 14, 2016, we learned this hotel is not currently open for business.)

SEBRING FLORIDA RESTAURANTS

• Sunset Grill, 2650 US Highway 27 South, Sebring, Florida 33870. 863-471-3900. A local favorite, this little place is on the shore of Lake Jackson and serves a great meal.
  
  
• Cowpoke's Watering Hole, 6813 US Hwy 27 South, Sebring, Florida 33870. 863-382-4554. Noted for good steaks, seafood and country western music and dancing. It's a favorite of locals. 

SEBRING, FLORIDA ATTRACTIONS

• Harder Hall is an unoccupied hotel located on Little Lake Jackson at 3300 Golfview Drive. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel was designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival Style and has 134 room. Several developers have tried to renovate the hotel over the years, but it is currently (2012) not operating and can't be entered by the public.

Here is a recent drone video of the exterior and interior of Harder Hall.  I don't care for the music, but the footage is very informative.  A tale of lost grandeur.

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• Highlands Hammock State Park is a wonderful natural setting for camping, hiking and just plan enjoying the outdoors.
  
  
• Sebring International Raceway, located adjacent to Sebring Regional Airport, this is America's premier sports car racing facility. It is the oldest permanent road racing track in North America, evolving from a World War II air base. The raceway is world famous for the annual 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race, part of the prestigious American Le Mans Series.
  

• The Murals of Lake Placid. This little town about 16 miles south of Sebring has a downtown area loaded with murals. These picturesque works of art portray various Highlands County historical and cultural events.

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