The City of Altamonte Springs was incorporated in 1920. Geographically, the city encompasses approximately 9 miles. As of April 1997 our population was 40,000. Altamonte Springs will operate this year on a budget of $46,000,000. Payroll for the City's 490 employees will be over $20,000,000. The tax rate is 4.75 mills. A mill is the dollar amount charged for every $1,000 worth of real property.
Altamonte Springs functions under a City Manager form of government. The City Manager is Phillip D. Penland. His duties include: the day-to-day operation of City departments and personnel, formulating the annual budget, and long term planning. The Mayor, J. Dudley Bates, serves a three year term and the City Commissioners, Pat Fernandez, Robert Lerner, Russel Hauck and Eddie Rose serve two year terms. The Mayor and Commission set policy and pass ordinances and rules to ensure that Altamonte Springs is a quality community to live in.
At the end of the Civil War, many people came to Florida seeking good health, a warm climate and financial opportunity. The St. Johns River was the highway into the State. Soon the railroads began to expand like wildfire across the State carrying new life lines as it moved.
During the late 1800's Florida became a haven for wintering northerners. They came by train and stagecoach to escape the cold blasts and relax among warm lakes and evergreens. One tiny hamlet that came to be known as a winter retreat was "Snow Junction". With the completion of a railroad line from Sanford to Orlando, Snow Junction was designated a whistle stop with a handful of permanent residents. During the cold months the population would swell to approximately 300.
This pattern continued for many years until a group of Boston businessmen purchased 1,200 acres of high, lake dotted, pine land about three miles northeast of Snow Junction and formed the Altamonte Land, Hotel and Navigation Company. They chose the name Altamonte because it means "high hill" in Spanish.
The Altamonte Land, Hotel and Navigation Company had some ambitious plans. There was to be constructed a new city, an elegant hotel and even a canal that would link the Altamonte lakes with the Wekiva River. This would create a navigable waterway for northern visitors from the St. Johns River to the new city. However, the canal plan was to run into many problems and had to be brought to a halt. The developers then hurried to put the hotel part of the company into action. They built the lusurious Altamonte HOtel in 1883 on the shores of Lake Oriental. Guests were driven in horse-drawn carriages by the hotel staff from a train station about a half nile away. A very talented husband and wife team was hired as managers. Mr. & Mrs. Frank A. Cofran ran a very efficient operation.
When the springs were discovered on Lake Adelaide across the road just a few hundred feet to the north, the hotel had a Spring House built and water was piped across the road from the springs to the hotel. At one time, this water was sold in northern shops and markets. In order to further aid the hotel and springs publicity-wise, a petition was sent to the United States Post OFfice Department to change the name of the town to Altamonte Springs. Much to the delight of everyone, the change was made on April 1, 1887.
Mobile Information Center (MIC)
- A vital component in the City's outreach program to better communicate with our citizens is a bus named MIC. Not only can you check out and return library books on this handicapped accessible vehicle, but you can also receive agendas for upcoming City meetings (Commission, Planning, Zoning, etc.), check budget data, and get fire and crime prevention tips. The bus makes scheduled stops at shopping plazas, apartment complexes and community gathering places, and is also available for homeowners associations and other special events. The schedule can be obtained by calling 263-3709.
Cranes Roost Lake Park
- Cranes Roost is the focal point of cultural and civic activities in downtown Altamonte Springs. Cranes Roost Park features sidewalks that curve around stately oak trees, a lighting and sound system, a pedestrian plaza/amphitheater and floating stage and a boardwalk around the lake. This project is funded through Tax Increment Financing, which is a special taxing district set up in the heart of the Central Business District. For park information, call 263-3758