Interlachen is a charming town in north central Florida. For many of its residents it recalls a time when things seemed to go just a little bit slower and when summer days seemed to last just a little bit longer.
Florida Southern Railroad engineer, N.R. Gruele, discovered the area in 1881 while making plans for a railroad route. He was so impressed by the clear blue lakes that he called the area Blue Pond because of the lake now known as Lake Lagonda. The town's name was changed to Interlachen (between the lakes) in 1888 when it was incorporated. The name is as accurate as it is picturesque; the community is situated between lakes Lagonda and Chipco, and many other lakes and ponds are nearby.
For many years, Interlachen was a favorite winter residence of New Englanders. Some of the village's visitors owned winter cottages; others resided at one of the three hotels. During its heyday, Interlachen boasted several daily trains and was a favorite spot for bicycling, fishing and hunting, which are still popular today--especially fishing. Here sportsmen are only minutes away from excellent freshwater fishing at Rodman Reservoir and on the St. Johns River, the Ocklawaha River, Big Lake Orange, Lake Lockloosa and other area streams and lakes.
Interlachen is conveniently located approximately 31 miles from Gainesville (home of the University of Florida and some of the state's finest medical facilities), 43 miles from historic St. Augustine, 60 miles from Jacksonville and 40 miles from Ocala.
Return to Putnam County Information