History of The Villages
 

Is there a place where we can see what The Villages looked like before it was TV. For instance was 466A here first or was TV? I would love to see photos of the build out as it went along.

If you go to Google Earth, along the top, the 6th button in the tool bar has a history slider, it goes back to 1994.

To answer your question 466a was there before the villages, it was surrounded by fields......

I looks like there are about 2 dozen aerial photos over the almost 20 year period.

I hope this helps.

VT

Thanks.

When we moved into St. James about 3 1/2 years ago, there were no homes south of 466A. Amazing how it has grown.

The first section was the "historic" side built by Harold Schwartz and Al Tarrson. There was no SS square and 441 was a two lane street. Only Publix and Winn-Dixie existed.

Harold bought out Al and Gary Morse was brought onboard, and the rest is history.

The new Rohan recreation center will have a "The Villages History" theme. If I know the designers….it should be wonderful!

And Publix used to be an Albertson's! :)

Google "The Villages Florida History" lots of info comes up.

I would love to learn more about the buffalo that used to be here!

You can see pictures of the pasture where Spanish Springs was built 20 years ago, in this interview with the 3 grandchildren of Mr. Schwartz and son and daughter of Gary Morse.

They were raised by hardworking, Michigan visionaries and they still work for a living here, training their children to carry on the tradition of hospitality and fiscal sustainability.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87XRNGa3bfc

Buffalo that use to be here
 

We use to see the Buffalo along some of the open pastures on Morse Blvd. There were signs on the fence that said "Do not feed the Buffalo", but it seems everyone was illiterate and you would see Grandparents with their Grandchildren feeding the Buffalo...usually carrots. I think this is one of the reasons that they decided it was too dangerous (and too much liability) to have the public that close to the Buffalo and they moved the Buffalo away.

I remember having my two granddaughters in the Villages one summer and took them to see the Buffalo. Normally the Buffalo were very peaceful, but as we walked up to the fence, one of the Buffalo charged the fence for no apparent reason. As we jumped back from the fence, I realized, the Buffalo was protecting her newborn baby.

I am sorry to see them go, but understand the reasons why.

The Villages is an unbelievable story.

Isn't there a book @ the library that has the history of The Villages & Harold Schwartz?

The Villages, Florida - Your Complete Guide
I think this is more of a guide than history.

I believe the Publix in Spanish Plaines was an Albertson's; it became a Publix about 5 to 7 years ago.

Talking to my aunt and uncle tonight (they moved to the historic side about 23 years ago), they said Winn-Dixie, Ace Hardware, a bank and some other stores south of Winn-Dixie were for first stores West (aka South) of 441. They said Publix would not build until that side of the road had golf cart access - - - sounds like Publix can be thanked for the cart bridge.

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