Eustis, Florida

=== Ace Theater === 1609 E.

=== Early settlement and founding (1825–1880) === The U.S.

Surveying was completed in 1875, and by 1876, A.

In 1878, Eustis was connected to Leesburg, Florida and Mellonville, (now Sanford) via telegraph.

=== Railroad and incorporation (1880–1890s) === In 1880, the St.

In 1881, Clifford and Smith built the town's first general store building.

By 1883, residents voted to drop “Lake” from the name and incorporated the City of Eustis.

Potter, the founding pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, encouraged the development of Eustis Seminary in 1886, under the direction of Professor Byron F.

An 1887 business directory listed the Clifford Store as a regional commercial hub, selling goods from groceries to hardware.

On January 1, 1888, Elias Disney and Flora Call—parents of Walt Disney—were married in Kismet, a now-defunct settlement near the Ocala National Forest.

However, the Great Freeze of 1894–1895, followed by another in 1898–1899, devastated crops and crippled the local economy.

The school closed in 1895 due to financial constraints.

The City of Eustis holds a festival every year which begins on the last Friday of February and runs through Sunday and has been held since 1902.

1908): Once home to E.L.

In 1909, that hotel was dismantled and reassembled in Eustis as the Grand View Hotel, which operated until 1955.

1910): Named after G.

1912): Originally opened as the First State Bank in 1913 and known as the "McClelland Building," this Italianate-style structure features ornate brickwork and is considered one ...

1913: The city established Ferran Park, named for local businessman Edgar L.

1914): Founded in 1884, the current masonry vernacular structure of Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church was built in 1914.

1922: The Woman's Club of Eustis opened, now a historic landmark.

1923–1927: Eustis City Hall was constructed in Neoclassical style during the Florida land boom.

Eustis has two elementary schools: Eustis Elementary School (established in 1925) and Eustis Heights Elementary.

1926): Financed by local banker and civic leader William S.

1928): Originally the Eustis Feed, Seed, and Supply Co., this masonry vernacular structure has housed various businesses over the years, including a motorcycle shop in the 1970s.

1930): This Neo-Classical style building, designed by Alan J.

MacDonough, has been home to the Eustis Woman's Club since its construction in 1931.

Waterman built the Fountain Inn, which served tourists until it closed in 1936.

In 1937, it was converted to Waterman Memorial Hospital.

1945): Built as the only theater for African-American moviegoers in Eustis, the Ace Theater served as a significant cultural venue during segregation.

=== Mid–Late 20th century === 1955: The Grand View Hotel (formerly the Kismet Hotel) was demolished.

National Register of Historic Places on April 4, 1975.

1983: Eustis celebrated its centennial of incorporation.

National Register of Historic Places on August 5, 1991 (NRIS #91001006).

The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 (NRIS #94000625).

The building was granted local landmark status in 1998.

It was designated a local landmark in 2000.

It was granted local landmark status in 2001.

=== 21st century === 2004: Florida Hospital Waterman (Now AdventHealth Waterman Hospital relocated from downtown to its current site on U.S.

The building collapsed in 2010 and was subsequently demolished.

2013: The city completed a major downtown streetscape project as part of its revitalization efforts.

Ferran, known as the "Grand Old Man of Eustis" and namesake of Ferran Park, this residence was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 16, 2019.

== Demographics == === Population === As of the 2020 U.S.

2025: Today, Eustis continues to embrace its motto of “Culture, Opportunity, Vitality” while preserving its rich heritage.