When I did a travel piece on driving U.S. 27 from start to finish in Florida in 1990, reporter Gayle Pallesen and I stopped to take a look at the Hotel Jacaranda on the square in Avon Park. It was in the early stages of restoration. I’m a sucker for cheap accommodations, so I snagged a huge suite for about $35. It was rough, but clean.
When Friend Shari and I drove that route headed back to Cape in October, I told her we had to swing by to see how the project went. She used to rehab old buildings for a living and likes to see ones that have been done right. (Click on the photos to make them larger.)
Hotel opened in 1926
The hotel’s website says, “As a true example of living history, The Hotel Jacaranda is one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in Highlands County. When the Jac opened in 1926, it took its name from a 150-year-old jacaranda tree that had been removed to make way for the hotel. Among its first guests were members of the St. Louis Cardinals, who came to Avon Park for spring training from 1927 to 1929.”
Guests included Al Capone and Babe Ruth
“Photos of its famous guests, from Babe Ruth to Hollywood celebrities George Burns and Gracie Allen, adorn its dining room. During World War II, the grand hotel played a hand in the war effort by housing hundreds of servicemen who had come to the area to train as military pilots.”
Restoration started in 1988
“In 1988, the South Florida State College Foundation, Inc., purchased the Jac with an eye toward preserving its historic character. As part of that ongoing effort, the Foundation has undertaken a major restorative project that is returning a street-level business mall to its original design”
Kitchen used by culinary students
“Through a partnership with South Florida State College, culinary students perfect their talents by training in the Jac’s modern kitchen.”
Original elevator still works
Guests can still ride the old elevator.
Still an impressive building
Avon Park, with a population of less than 9,000, has done a remarkable job of making the downtown area attractive. Hotel Jacaranda is only one of several buildings that have been restored.
Plenty of books available
If you want to put aside your digital diversions, the hotel’s library has plenty of books to borrow.
There’s always Reed’s Motel
Of course, if you prefer a more 1950’s look, you could stay on U.S. 27 and check into Reed’s Motel, where this swimmer has been diving for at least half a century.
Great restoration, and the SFSc set a beautiful preservation example by thinking outside of the box with the culinary school. Sigh-wish a Foundation we know would take on a big preservation project-sigh…
Just spent several minutes “googling” the area, since my sister and brother-in-law have moved there for the winter and this is the only architecturally distinctive area in the county! A real breath of fresh air, for this New Yorker – I tip my hat to the restorers.
Just spent 7 nights at Jacaranda hotel great place to stay friendly staff and never heard a thing out of the students that stay in the dorm side. A great time in history and would recommend it to anyone. Really felt like a step back in time.
Just stayed 3 nights at the Jac and loved every minute! Beautiful, historic, lovingly restored. Like something out of a Hollywood movie set from the golden age of pictures! Great staff, great stay. Cannot wait to return!
It was pretty rough when I stayed there in 1990. The renovation was just getting started, and I noted that it had a long way to go. But, a suite for $35 was a steal, and it was way better than the No-Tel Motels I usually checked into.
Leandro Viajero. Nos hemos quedado 2 veces, super tranquilo y disfrutamos de la elegancia e historia que albergan sus paredes. Muy bien cuidado. Dejaremos la historia de este hotel en nuestra página de you tobe como Leandro viajero si nos lo permiten los administradores.
Here’s how Google Translate rendered your comment. Let me know if it’s accurate:
“Leandro Traveler. We have stayed 2 times, super quiet and we enjoy the elegance and history that house its walls. Very good care. We will leave the history of this hotel on our page of you tobe as Leandro traveler if the administrators allow it.”
You are welcome to post a link to the blog post, but not individual copyrighted photos. I’m glad you enjoyed your stay. It’s great to see the building restored.
I typed in the name of the bar that was in the basement of the hotel Jacaranda in Avon Park fl. It brought up several pictures of an elegant bar area. I can’t remember the bars name. I have talked with historical society and any one else that I thought might be able to remember.
Mike Miller (back roads less traveled) though he remembered being there but couldn’t remember the name. Could you help me? Thank you very much. Kay
Sorry, I can’t help you. The first time I stayed there, it was very much in the early stages of refurbing. I never went anywhere near a bar. Good luck.