Beautiful Atlantic beaches and St. Augustine are only 30 minutes east. Gainesville, home of the University of Florida and Gator football, is located less than an hour west. It's an hour's drive to Jacksonville, and Disney World is less than two hours away.

Home Sweet Home

Housing is reasonable here. Most homes are moderately priced. Most housing is single-family. Although the price of waterfront property varies greatly, this is one place in Florida where it's likely to be affordable. "The possibility of living on or near the many natural lakes and waterways that are located within Putnam County is still the major reason families move here," says Erna Elton, president of the Putnam County Association of Realtors.

Vital Stats

Statistics are for the entire county.

Population: 70,419
Median age: 40.6
New citizens: 760 yearly
Unemployment rate: 5.3 percent in August, 1999
Cost of living: Florida Price Level Index: 93.22 (weighted state average=100)
Per capita income: $15,444
Median household effective buying income: $24,590

Rain & Shine

The climate is mild, with a 71 degree mean temperature year-round. There's an occasional light freeze, but more than one a winter would be unusual. The average January temperature hovers between 59 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. August is a different story; the average temperature is 82 degrees Fahrenheit. It rains about 50 inches a year, but almost never snows. Most rain falls in the summer--in the afternoon or early evening to cool the air on hot, sticky days.

Job Market

Services, trade, government and manufacturing account for about two-thirds of the jobs here. The school board employs 1,600; tourism, especially businesses that keep fishermen supplied, fed and housed, accounts for many of the service-industry jobs. The county's Top 10 private employers are Georgia-Pacific Corp./Pulp and Paper (1,300); Florida Furniture Industries Inc. (620); Georgia-Pacific Corp./Plywood (380); Seminole Electric Corp. Inc. (300); Central States Diversified (167); Price Brothers (126); Max-E Corp. (107); Florida Power & Light Co. (99); Sheffield Steel (80); and CDR Systems (75).

Class Notes

Extensive information about the schools in this area is online at the state's Department of Education (http://www.firn.edu/doe/doehome.htm). There you'll discover everything you'll need to know about Florida schools -- in general and in particular. All you need is the name of your county and the names of the schools students from your neighborhood attend.

Use links from the DOE home page for general information about entrance requirements, immunizations and so forth.

For the nitty-gritty details that really matter, click on the logo for the "Florida School Indicators Report."

Getting Around

U.S. Highway 17 runs north/south through the county and State Road 19 travels south in the county's southern section. Fifteen or 20 miles east, Interstate 95 provides a high-speed superhighway that heads south to Miami or north all the way to Maine. Back in Putnam County, State Road 20 provides a convenient east/west corridor, as does S.R. 100. Greyhound Bus Lines serves the area, and ARC Transit provides some local bus service. Palatka, on the St. Johns River, offers docking facilities. Palatka's Kay Larkin Airport handles small planes, and Gainesville is a regional airport in neighboring Alachua County. Daytona Beach International (Volusia County) and Jacksonville International Airport (Duval County) provide nearby major facilities that serve air travelers who live in Putnam County.

Great Outdoors

First-rate bird watching from a tranquil, slow-moving pontoon boat on the St. Johns is one way to enjoy nature. Commercial cruises or rentals are easy to arrange, if you don't own your own vessel, and so are fishing excursions, where one prime benefit is the natural sights you'll experience on the way to that big catch. The northern section of the Ocala National Forest occupies the southwest corner of Putnam. Near there, Lake Ocklawaha (a.k.a. Rodman Reservoir), a 9,200-acre impoundment of the Ocklawaha River, lures fishermen and nature lovers. Several boat ramps allow access. Even larger, the 15,960-acre offshoot of the St. Johns called Crescent Lake is perfect for a quiet day on the water or serious fishing. Lots of bass and crappie (speckled perch) are caught here. You'll discover the Welaka National Fish Hatchery, complete with aquarium and observation tower, in the Crescent City/Welaka section of Putnam County that's called the Fruitland Peninsula. Also in the vicinity is the Fort Gates Ferry, the oldest in Florida.

Ravine State Gardens in Palatka is Putnam County's most famous natural phenomenon. The park protects the steep ravine on the river's west bank and the grasses, shrubs and trees that have colonized it over hundreds of years. Part of the park is now planted with numerous azaleas; an impressive Azalea Festival is held here each spring. Originally, the gardens were planted by Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers in 1933, during the Great Depression. An amphitheater, civic center, picnic areas and bridges over the ravine combine with nature trails and a fitness trail to make this site popular with outdoorsmen, flower lovers and families. Although Ravine State Gardens feature azaleas and ornamentals, it also protects plants native to this part of Florida. On the Bamboo Springs Trail, walkers cross a suspension bridge and travel a route that affords them glimpses of coonti, cabbage palm, laurel oak, redbay, southern magnolia, loblolly pine, sweetgum and chickasaw plum--plus plenty of interesting fungi and airplants. You'll also sight the "boils" of two springs during your walk.

Good Sports

Fishing is the top sport here. Guides are available to help both ambitious anglers and eager beginners. To hook and hold a trophy bass, you'll need the proper equipment, also available here. Many fish camps and resorts operate in this fisherman's dream country. Boating is popular and important, but more for its fishing utility than for pure sport. Nearly 7,000 boats are registered. In Crescent City, the Putnam County YMCA offers a heated, outdoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, a health club and lots of basketball and volleyball courts, in addition to numerous classes--aquacise, dance, aerobics, swimming and so forth. Parks here are reasonably well-equipped, often with baseball and softball fields, basketball and volleyball courts and tennis courts. Many facilities are lighted, but the lights are turned off about 10 p.m.

Hot Times in the City

Ravine State Gardens is Putnam's only "must see" destination, but many other places are well worth your time, including the Putnam Historic Museum, and the historic Bronson-Mulholland House, both at 100 Madison Street in Palatka are well worth your time. For theater, attend productions of the River City Repertory Company, headquartered at Palatka's Larimer Arts Center on Reid Street. In the same location, you'll discover the Arts Council office and the Putnam County Archives. For visual art, visit the Florida School of the Arts galleries on St. Johns Avenue and the Tilghman House Art Center, a cooperative gallery on River Street, both in Palatka.

Seasonal highlights, in addition to the big Azalea Festival in late February and March, include the Putnam County Fair in March, the Catfish Festival in April and the annual Mug Race in May. It's the nation's largest inland sailboat. Starting in Palatka and featuring all types of sailboats, the annual competition ends many miles north in Jacksonville. The race is not as impossible as it sounds, however, because the St. Johns River runs north. Then there's the Blue Crab Festival over Memorial Day Weekend and June's Lake Stella Gator Chase Open Swim in Crescent City. Palatka's riverfront is the best place around to enjoy a patriotic Fourth of July. In October, Palatka hosts the Fall Riverfest & Arts Festival. In November, Civil War Re-enactors refight the Battle of Horse Landing. And in December, Crescent City celebrates in style with its own big block party, while Melrose welcomes residents and their guests to downtown's Merry Melrose Christmas event.

Shop 'til You Drop

Several shopping centers are located in Putnam County. Residents do quite well with K mart, Wal-Mart and assorted stores along Highway 19 and downtown in Palatka. If you like to hunt for antiques, don't miss the shops of downtown Crescent City.

Nightlife

Nightlife doesn't mix with early-morning angling, but eating out is popular everywhere. Putnam County is no exception. Although it has the usual fast-food places, the county actually offers several one-of-a-kind eateries. Consider Angel's Diner in downtown Palatka. It's the oldest diner in Florida. Plus, if you eat there on Saturday, you can take in an antique car show, thanks to car restorers who gather weekly in the parking lot. The restaurant at Bass Haven Lodge serves a "killer" burger and other good things to eat along with its awesome view from a high bank overlooking the St. Johns River. For more fish-camp ambience combined with tasty treats, try Georgetown's Lunker Lodge Resort.

Other good bets in the dining department include Corky Bell's on the river in Palatka, another county-seat favorite called Southwell's Restaurant that specializes in Southern cooking and San Mateo Seafood Restaurant, about five miles south of Palatka in the small community of San Mateo. Another eating spot is Corky Bells Country Table in East Palatka. For fine dining, try the antique-appointed Sprague House in Crescent City. For Greek or Italian food, visit Niko's in Palatka; for more food with a view, Porky's at Georgetown Landing or the tiny, eclectic The Palms in Welaka, with its deck facing the river make wise choices.

Steamboat Landing, located at the Holiday Inn in Palatka., serves good food and offers an attractive view of the St. Johns River. Sonny's Bar-B-Que is also popular. For great salads and interesting fare, visit Peabody's Restaurant in Palatka's historic section.

College Scene

The St. Johns River Community College in Palatka is one of the state's two-year, coed schools. Some students take basic courses to earn an Associate of Arts degree, so they can transfer to a four-year school. Others concentrate on technical and career education. If Putnam County students decide to attend one of Florida's 10 major state universities, the biggest one, the University of Florida, is only about 45 miles away in Gainesville. In Palatka, you'll also find the Florida School of the Arts, a branch of St. Leo College and a branch of the St. Augustine Technical Center.

Just for Seniors

The Edgar Johnson Senior Center at 3218 Crill Ave. in Palatka is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. It's operated by Palatka-Putnam County Senior Citizens, Inc. and focuses primarily as a social center, but insurance information and some nutrition counseling occurs here, too. Although seniors can suit themselves when it comes to activities, each day has a theme and a related special activity. Monday is bingo day -- for fun, not for money; Tuesday features cards and games of all kinds; Wednesday is devoted to various arts and crafts; Thursday is music day and includes a 2 p.m. performance by a singer accompanied by a five-piece instrumental group; Friday is health day, complete with blood pressure screenings and gentle stretching exercises. All seniors are welcome; the coffee pot is usually on. If there's interest from the regulars, pot luck meals are organized occasionally. Call 904/328-2547 for more information or directions. You're sure to receive a friendly invitation to drop in for a visit.

Senior citizens can learn about services and caregivers catering to their age group via the Information and Referral (I&R) line known as the Elder Helpline. Several programs are currently operational in the county: telephone reassurance, homemakers, respite care, personal care and chore (help with yard work). There's also an emergency alert system. Five congregate meal centers operate here. They're in Palatka, Crescent City, Lake Como, Interlachen and Johnson. In Putnam County, guidance on available services--both public and private--is available from two sources: call 904/329-8963 and ask for the senior helpline or call 800/262-2243 and tell the I & R specialist where you are and what you need.