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Lake Placid is a small town in Highlands County, Florida, set in the lakes region of central Florida about 15 miles south of Sebring along US 27. Chartered on December 1, 1925, under the name Lake Stearns, it began as the center of a citrus operation during the Florida land boom. Its identity shifted when Melvil Dewey—the librarian who devised the Dewey Decimal System and founder of the original Lake Placid Club in upstate New York—established a second Lake Placid Club here in 1927 and successfully campaigned to rename the town. That dual heritage of agriculture and resort history still shapes the community today. The town is known by two nicknames that capture its character. As the "Caladium Capital of the World," Lake Placid sits at the heart of Florida's caladium-growing region, where fields of the ornamental plants color the landscape and support a signature local industry. As the "Town of Murals," it has transformed its downtown into an outdoor gallery: more than 40 large murals, launched through the Lake Placid Mural Society founded in 1992, depict local history, wildlife, and culture on building walls throughout the commercial district. Water defines daily life. Lake Placid and Lake June offer boating and lakefront living, while 28,000-acre Lake Istokpoga, a well-known bass-fishing destination, lies a few miles to the northeast. Nearby preserves such as Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve State Park add hiking and nature viewing. With a population of roughly 2,400, Lake Placid retains a sparse, small-town feel. It is served by Highlands County schools, including Lake Placid Elementary, Middle, and High School. For residents, the town offers an arts-rich, lake-centered lifestyle in one of Florida's quieter inland corners.

Population 2,360

County Highlands

Active Listings 972

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Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Lake Placid in?

Lake Placid is located in Highlands County, Florida, in the central part of the state. The town is part of the Sebring metropolitan statistical area, with Sebring lying about 15 miles to the north along US 27.

Why is Lake Placid called the Town of Murals?

Lake Placid holds two nicknames: the Town of Murals, for the more than 40 large murals adorning its downtown buildings, and the Caladium Capital of the World, reflecting the region's role as a major producer of caladium bulbs.

How did Lake Placid get its name?

Lake Placid was chartered in 1925 as Lake Stearns. Melvil Dewey, inventor of the Dewey Decimal System, founded a Lake Placid Club in the town in 1927 and successfully campaigned to rename it after his original resort in New York.

What lakes are near Lake Placid?

The area is surrounded by lakes, including 28,000-acre Lake Istokpoga, a popular bass-fishing destination about five miles northeast of town. Lake June and Lake Placid itself also offer boating, fishing, and water recreation.

What school district serves Lake Placid?

Lake Placid is served by the Highlands County school district, which operates Lake Placid Elementary, Lake Placid Middle School, and Lake Placid High School. Additional educational options are available in nearby Sebring.

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