Maitland City Talk

It is exciting to finally realize that after years of focused effort, our city will be breaking ground on a new city hall and fire station. But as we progress with new buildings and projects, may we never forget the rich history that has made Maitland what it is today. So rich in history and culture, the city of Maitland offers residents many opportunities to explore the historical roots of the city we call home. And with the newly formed Maitland Art and History Association, there will be a renewed focus on our past.

Many people don’t know that this area was once called Fumecheliga (Musk Mellon Place) by the Seminole Indians before it was established as Fort Maitland in 1838 by the U.S. Army. The fort was named after Captain William Seton Maitland, a hero of the Seminole Wars. What is now Maitland Avenue was part of the Old Black Bear Trail, which ran from Montreal to St. Petersburg and passed by the fort.

When the Indian wars ceased and the fort had been torn down, people began settling in this area because of the natural spring water and extensive pine forests. At the close of the Civil War, settlers came buying large tracts of land, clearing them and planting citrus groves. The first deed for property in the city was written in 1873 to George H. Packwood, who built a large hall for town meetings and social gatherings. Packwood Hall, since burned down, was located where city hall now is.

By 1876, the orange trees were coming into production and difficulty in marketing the fruit caused Dr. Haskell, of the Boston Herald newspaper, to form a syndicate and construct a railroad from Jacksonville to Maitland. This was completed in Maitland in 1880 and for several years, Maitland had an ice factory, two livery stables and a large packinghouse in the center of town. As many as 300,000 boxes of fruit were shipped each season. In 1881, the property known as ‘UnderOaks’, at the end of Oakleigh Drive, was built by William Waterhouse just prior to his building his home at Lake Lily.

The city was incorporated as the Town of Lake Maitland in 1885.

In the 1950s, families were moved to the area in droves, due mainly to Martin Marietta making Central Florida home. Due to its proximity to the plant, Maitland became a natural place for them to come. In 1959, a new city charter changed the name from Lake Maitland to Maitland.

In the 1960s, Maitland came alive with building construction. Supermarkets opened, as did restaurants, service stations, condominiums, garden apartments and churches. Disney World came in 1971, which had a strong impact on the continuous growth of Maitland. New buildings were sorely needed, including those on the site of the current city hall, fire and police departments. A new municipal complex was completed in 1975.

Today, although many areas are still sorely in need of redevelopment, we are proud to have many new buildings in our downtown, including the First Colony Bank building, the Village at Lake Lily, the Shoppes of Maitland, the Q at Maitland apartments and more. But, no matter how we progress in the months and years to come, we will always be a part of the past. May we never forget it.

Don’t miss the following upcoming events:

Movie in the Park, “How to Train your Dragon”, Saturday, Nov. 6

Taste of Maitland, Monday, Nov. 15

Season of Light, Saturday, Dec. 4