Nestled within the Florida Panhandle lies a place with a history as intriguing as its geography. Britton Hill, a seemingly modest plateau just south of the Alabama border, stands tall as Florida’s highest point, reaching an astonishing 345 feet above sea level. But there’s more to this seemingly unassuming location than meets the eye. Join us as we peel back the layers of time to uncover the captivating narrative of Lakewood Park—a place where the echoes of a once-thriving lumber and railroad industry still linger among the shadows of its past.
The Marker and the Ghost Town
Venturing west on County Road 285, a subtle turnoff unveils a quiet open shelter—a gateway to Lakewood Park’s enigmatic story. A short stroll into the woods leads to a granite marker, an unassuming testament to the spot’s remarkable elevation. Here, at 345 feet above sea level, the marker proudly announces Lakewood Park as Florida’s highest point. But this elevation marker is just the beginning.
The land surrounding it carries whispers of a bustling past, now mostly silent. The settlement that once thrived here has transformed into something of a ghost town, where the remnants of a bygone era still stand as witnesses to history.
Learn more about Lakewood Park, Florida’s demographics: Lakewood Park Demographics
Rise and Fall of a Lumber Empire
At the turn of the century, a lumber company took root, becoming the economic heartbeat of this region. This company’s reach extended to a staggering 90,000 acres of land, complete with a 22-mile-long railroad spur—a lifeline connecting the area to the outside world. The sound of saws echoed through the woods, as 100,000 feet of lumber were meticulously cut each day.
Lakewood’s landscape began to change as the company constructed a tapestry of 101 buildings, including a grand three-story hotel, a bustling rail depot, a well-stocked store, a commissary, and housing for the hundreds of mill workers who labored to fuel this burgeoning enterprise.
The Echoes of Prosperity
As Lakewood Park flourished, it became a bustling hub of industry and community. The town’s fortunes rose like the towering pines, standing as a testament to human ingenuity and hard work. But adversity lurked on the horizon. The Great Depression cast a shadow over the nation, and the timber market suffered.
The once-thriving lumber industry began to wane, and the region’s prosperity began to fade. To compound the challenges, fires ravaged the mill, reducing it to ashes not once, but three times—a testament to the resilience of the community that rebuilt it time and time again.
The Quiet Aftermath
The echoes of prosperity eventually gave way to the quiet aftermath of economic decline. By the end of World War II, Lakewood Park stood as a shadow of its former self. The grand hotel, the rail depot, the bustling store—all had succumbed to the passage of time.
Today, the former post office has been reborn as a guest house, while the old railroad depot stands as a silent sentinel across the road. The one-room schoolhouse, once a beacon of education, now houses a dusty private museum, preserving relics of the region’s vibrant past—rusting chains and tools that tell the story of a community that thrived amid challenges.
Conclusion
As we stand before the granite marker on Britton Hill, the highest point in Florida, we are reminded that beneath every geographical landmark lies a story. Lakewood Park’s rich history, once intertwined with the rise and fall of a lumber empire, remains etched in the landscape. This quiet corner of the Florida Panhandle holds tales of prosperity, resilience, and the passage of time. It invites us to reflect on the fleeting nature of industry and the enduring spirit of a community that once flourished amidst the pines.
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