1926 Hawkins Urban Planning Map of Sebring, Florida

This is a rare urban planning map of Sebring, Florida, issued in 1926 by Joe W. Hawkins. The view captures the ambitious early days of Sebring at the height of its boom in the 1920s.

A Closer Look

The map presents Sebring oriented to the northwest. Lake Jackson is on the left, and Dinner Lake is on the right. Every property lot is numbered, and blocks are identified. Streets are named. Specific additions incorporated during the 1920s are named. These include Lake View Place Addition, Woodlawn Terrace, Kenworth Park, Weston Knoll, and numerous 'Gov. Lots'

Sebring

Sebring, Florida, was founded in 1912 by George E. Sebring (1859 - 1927), an Ohio businessman and pottery manufacturer who saw the potential for development in central Florida's Highlands region. Sebring purchased land in 1911, laying the groundwork for his vision of a well-planned community centered around natural beauty and modern amenities. Likely inspired by Washington D.C., Sebring was developed with a unique circular layout centered around 'The Circle,' which remains a defining feature of the town. Sebring's location on Lake Jackson attracted settlers, and by 1913, the fledgling town was incorporated. In 1921, Sebring became the county seat of the newly established Highlands County, solidifying its status as an administrative and economic hub. Throughout the 1920s, Sebring's economy thrived, bolstered by the Florida Land Boom, which fostered a wave of investment and growth. Citrus farming, tourism, and land speculation helped the town expand, with new buildings, businesses, and residential developments springing up around the Circle and nearby streets. The 1920s also saw the construction of the Sebring Hotel (Harder Ha l) and the Highlands County Courthouse, which became key landmarks. However, the Florida land boom collapsed in the late 1920s, and the effects of the Great Depression began to impact Sebring's economy by 1930. Despite these challenges, Sebring was a successful development and thrives to this day, with its center added to the National Historic Register in 1990.

Publication History and Census

This map was surveyed and drafted by Joseph W. Hawkins, who copyrighted and published it in 1925. The present example was revised and updated to November 1926. Rare, but we note an example at the Tampa Bay History Center.