Longwood, FL

Longwood, Florida, has a population of around 14,000 residents with a median age of 37. Located in Seminole County, Longwood enjoys a tropical climate with an average temperature of 76 degrees. The city's roots date to the mid-1800s, when the area was settled during a time of peace between the Seminole Indian War and the beginning of the American Civil War.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

The Longwood Historic District, near the intersection of State Road 434 and County Road 427, features 37 historic structures spread across 190 acres. The district's historic landmarks include the Longwood Hotel, the 1873 Inside Outside House (now home to Culinary Cottage, a local small business), the 1879 Christ Episcopal Church, and the 1885 Bradlee-McIntyre House, a former winter cottage and example of Queen Anne architecture. Several specialty stores and boutiques make their home in the district

Many of the city's residents live in well-kept subdivisions. Some popular Longwood subdivisions include Markham Hills, Longwood Groves, and Rangeline Woods. There are around 5,000 houses located in Longwood. Of these nearly 4,000 are owner occupied.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

As in many small Florida cities, declining winter temperatures in Longwood in the 19th and 20th centuries put a halt to the citrus industry. Longwood began to recover during World War II, when military families moved into the city. The city later became home to NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center, McCoy Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Martin-Marietta missile plant, and Navel Air Station Sanford, which offered job opportunities. Walt Disney World also created new jobs and continues to provide the community with new residents and employment.

Health care is another important industry in Longwood. Longwood Healthcare Center offers a variety of services in its 120-bed facility, complete with nine licensed practical/vocational nurses, four registered nurses, and more than two dozen certified nurse aids. Residents enjoy scheduled activities both indoors and outdoors, and the facility accepts both Medicare and Medicaid.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Given its central location, Longwood offers a number of cultural opportunities in and around the city. Some local arts organizations include:

• Seminole Cultural Arts Council
• Central Florida Performing Arts Alliance
• United Arts of Central Florida
• Division of Cultural Affairs

FAMILY FUN

• Arbor Park offers a playground designed for toddlers, picnic areas, and a walking path.
• Smallworld Park is equipped with peaceful playground.
• Sandalwood Park offers a playground, a basketball court, and a picnic area.
• Highland Hills Park has a playground, a basketball court, and picnic areas.
• Shadow Hill Park provides visitors access to a gazebo, a playground, picnic areas, and fishing.
• Candyland Park features a playground, basketball courts, baseball fields, and lighted tennis courts. Candyland Park also hosts city-sponsored community events.
• Reiter Park offers visitors basketball, tennis, and paddleball courts, baseball fields, and a multipurpose field. The park also includes a gazebo, a picnic area, and a playground.

FOR VISITORS

• Bradlee-McIntyre House is a Victorian cottage-style home moved in 1991 from Altamonte Springs, Florida. This 13-room house is the last of its kind in Orange and Seminole counties and is listed with the United States National Register of Historic Places.
• Longwood Historic District runs from West Pine Avenue and South Milwee Street to Palmetto Avenue and CR 427. It encompasses 190 acres of land and is the home of more than three dozen historic buildings where visitors can enjoy one-hour walking tours through the oldest Seminole County city.

EVENTS

• The Annual Tree Lighting rings in the holidays with this community-wide event.
• Easter at Candyland Park provides families with an Easter egg hunt and assorted entertainment.
• The Longwood Farmers Market supports local farmers and offers residents fresh produce every Saturday.
• Longwood Live is open to anyone who wants to perform music live or just enjoy a night of community entertainment; the event is held monthly.

Residents of Longwood can enjoy numerous family-friendly events, including:

• Movies in the Park
• Fall Festival
• Longwood Summer Camp
• National Night Out
• Rock the Park

SHOPPING

• Longwood Antiques District offers an array of antiques, everything from jewelry to musical instruments.
• Longwood Village Shops is a 1.5 million-square-foot shopping experience. These shops include upscale department stores and more than 120 popular stores and restaurants.

EDUCATION

Longwood is home to one college, the Cambridge Institute of Allied Health, a non-accredited school focusing on allied health modalities. Additionally, Longwood has one private high school and a number of private elementary and middle schools.

• Pace Brantley Hall School serves grades 3-12.
• Forest Lake Education Center serves grades pre-K-8.
• Master's Academy Elementary serves grades K-5.
• Wekiva Christian School serves grades pre-K-8.
• Markham Woods Academy serves grades pre-K-3.
• Longwood Christian Learning Center offers kindergarten classes.

LOCAL MEDIA

• WORL 660 AM (Sports)
• WDYZ 990 AM (Children's)
• WONQ 1030 AM (Spanish)
• WTLN 950 AM (Religious)

• WOMX 105.1 FM (Hot AC)
• WXXL 106.7 FM (Top 40)
• WJRR 101.1 FM (Alternative)
• WTKS 104.1 FM (Talk Radio)
• WPOZ 88.3 FM (Christian Contemporary)
• WCFB 94.5 FM (Urban Contemporary)
• WHTQ 96.5 FM (Classic Rock)
• WWKA 92.3 FM (Country)
• WPYO 95.3 FM (Hip-Hop)
• WPRK 91.5 FM (College Radio)