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Featured Article: Jacaranda Hotel

Jacaranda Hotel
#HistoryTuesday - Tuesday March 24TH 2026
 
She's "The Gracious Lady Of Avon Park". She's "The Grand Lady Of The Heartland". She's "Old Florida". She's "The Jewel Of Main Street". She's The Jacaranda Hotel.
 
Construction began in 1923 - financed by two Grand Rapids Michigan furniture manufacturers - John Raab and Harry Winters - and designed by William Heim. They had to remove a large 150-year-old (dating back to before the birth of our nation) Jacaranda tree in order to build the hotel.
 
3 years later - in April 1926 - The Hotel Jacaranda opened for its first customers. In the early years - famous people including Babe Ruth, Al Capone, Clark Gable, George Burns, and Gracie Allen stayed at the Jac. Servicemen stayed there during World War II as they trained nearby at the Army Air Force Base.
 
Happy 100TH Anniversary to the Jac. The South Florida State College Foundation purchased it in 1988, and they continue to operate the longest running continuously operating hotel in the region. Their restaurant off the spacious main lobby continues to draw in hungry customers from near and far for their large buffet every Tuesday to Friday and on Sundays too in-season. During the summer months they continue to operate their large salad bar during the week. Their restaurant has been operating since the hotel opened in 1926.
 
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