Lake Monroe, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lake Monroe
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 Lake Monroe, Florida
Location in Seminole County, Florida
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| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Seminole |
| Elevation | 13 ft (4 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
32747
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| Area code(s) | 407, 689 & 321 |
| GNIS feature ID | 285265 |
Lake Monroe is a small community located in Seminole County, Florida, in the United States. It is an "unincorporated community." This means it's not officially a city or town with its own local government. Instead, it's part of the larger county. The community's ZIP code is 32747.
Contents
Discover Lake Monroe's Past
Lake Monroe has an interesting history, especially concerning how it grew and got its name. From early railways to planned communities, many events shaped this area.
Early Transportation and Connections
In the late 1800s, railways were very important for travel and trade.
The First Bridge and Station
In 1886, the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railway (JT&KW) built a bridge over the St. Johns River. This bridge was just north of the lake that would later be known as Lake Monroe. Later that same year, another railway, the Orange Belt Railway, connected to the JT&KW line. They built a train station at this meeting point and called it "Monroe Station." Both railways then continued their tracks from Monroe Station to the nearby city of Sanford.
The St. Joseph's Colony Project
In 1887, a large piece of land near Monroe Station was planned for a new community. This project was called St. Joseph's Colony.
A Community for German Immigrants
The colony was promoted by Henry Sanford's Florida Land and Colonization Company. They advertised it to German immigrants as a special Roman Catholic community. The plans even included a town lot set aside for a Catholic chapel. A German Roman Catholic priest named Felix Prosper Swenbergh was asked by Sanford to help lead this new colony. Sadly, Swenbergh passed away in 1891, and the chapel was never built. While some German families did move to the colony, the strong German influence in the community faded by the early 1900s.
How Lake Monroe Got Its Name
The community's name changed over time, reflecting its growth and the wishes of its residents.
From Ferry to Automobile Bridge
For many years, people crossed the St. Johns River by ferry. But in 1916, a new automobile bridge was built, making travel much easier. That same year, a post office opened in the community. It was first named "Ahearn." However, the people living there wanted a different name. They sent a petition, which is a formal request, to protest the name. By the end of 1916, their request was granted, and the post office name was changed to "Lake Monroe." This is how the community officially got its current name.
