Ridgewood, Florida facts for kids

Ridgewood is a small, unincorporated community located in Putnam County, Florida, United States. It's found about two miles east of Welaka and a bit southwest of Pomona Park. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.

A Look Back in Time

Ridgewood was first settled way back in 1871. By 1883, it was a busy little place with about 100 people living there. The community had important services like a post office, a general store, and even two sawmills that used steam power. There was also a public school for the children.

However, Ridgewood faced some tough times. In the 1890s, very cold weather brought "hard freezes" that destroyed most of the citrus crops. Citrus fruits, like oranges, were a big part of the local economy. When these crops were lost, the community started to shrink. Later, in the 1920s, a big forest fire was said to have destroyed what was left of the town.

What Remains Today

Today, not much is left of the original Ridgewood. The most significant reminder is a cemetery. This cemetery is now known as the Welaka-Georgetown Cemetery. However, it was once called the Ridgewood Cemetery. Records from Putnam County show that the first burial there happened in 1917.

The Post Office Story

The community of Ridgewood once had its own post office. Franklin B. Parse applied to start the post office on May 30, 1883. The United States Postal Service approved his request, and the post office officially opened on June 15, 1883. Mail was delivered to Ridgewood on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Here are the people who served as Post Master in Ridgewood:

The Ridgewood Post Office eventually closed down on November 15, 1900. After that, all the mail for the area was sent to Fairview instead.

Images for kids

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  A sign marking the area of Ridgewood, Florida.