Featured Article: Sebring: A Brief History
The Founding of Sebring
More than a century ago, in the middle of what was then vast Central Florida wilderness, one man saw something most others didn’t...potential. His name was George E. Sebring, and the city that bears his name began not as an accident of settlement, but as a carefully planned community built on faith, hope, and vision.
A Dream Takes Shape
In the early 1900s, George Sebring was already a successful businessman from Ohio, known for his family’s pottery company. But he was also a man of faith and imagination — someone who believed in building more than just businesses. On a trip through Florida in 1911, he came upon a high ridge surrounded by lakes and pine forest. Standing there, he decided this would be the perfect place to create a new kind of town, one designed with purpose and heart.
By 1912, Sebring purchased thousands of acres of land and began mapping out a community unlike any other. At its center, he designed a perfect circle — what we now know as Circle Park, with streets radiating outward like spokes on a wheel. It wasn’t just for looks; Sebring believed the circle represented unity and connection, with the heart of the town meant to bring people together.
Building a Community from the Ground Up
The early years were filled with determination and hard work. George Sebring didn’t just plan the city; he helped build it. He oversaw the construction of homes, businesses, and community buildings. The Sebring Hotel, one of the first major structures downtown, welcomed travelers from all over, introducing them to this growing town on the ridge.
Churches, schools, and parks followed, all part of Sebring’s original design to make the town a place where families could live, work, and thrive. Unlike many Florida towns that grew haphazardly around the railroad, Sebring was a vision brought to life with intention and care.
A Circle That Still Connects Us
As the years passed, Sebring continued to grow, welcoming new residents drawn by its beauty, lakes, and community spirit. Yet, even as the world around it changed, the city’s original circular design remained at its heart.
Today, Downtown Sebring still reflects George Sebring’s dream, a walkable, welcoming space where people gather for festivals
