Community Description
Short Description: Umatilla is 30 miles from Deltona and 85 miles from Tampa. The community is known as the "Gateway to the Ocala National Forest” located on its southern edge. The city reveals the "Old" Florida cracker and Victorian style houses and a daylong celebration of the Florida black bear.
William A. Whitcomb, formerly of Cincinnati, who had been in correspondence with some people in Umatilla, Oregon, suggested the name meaning “laughing waters”.
There were no roads or rails when town founder Nathan Trowell came to Umatilla in 1852. Traveling was done on sand trails that led to the St. Johns River. Trowell came from South Carolina and settled in Umatilla with his wife and three sons. Others followed, such as W.A. Whitcomb, who was responsible for naming the town. Whitcomb was a sewing machine salesman who had dreamed of moving to Umatilla County, Oregon. He never made it, but adopted the name for his new community.
The city has a total of 42 employees with an annual budget of $3.9 million.
Community events include the annual Black Bear Festival held the first Saturday in October and the Cracker Christmas Parade and Dog Jog is held each year on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
Local attractions include Alexander Springs, the southern end of the Florida Trail, an unpaved hiking trail 60 miles long.
Nearby communities include Eustis (6 miles), Mount Dora (9 miles), Lisbon (9 miles), Paisley (9.5 miles), Tavares (10.5 miles), Sorrento (11 miles), Silver Lake (11 miles) and Tangerine (12.5 miles).
Population: 2,509
Year of Incorporation: 1904
Location: Central Florida
Median Home Price: $116,900
Tax Rate: 5.75
Taxes Levied (per capita): $170.36
Total Area: 2.74 square miles
City Hall: City of Umatilla
1 S Central Ave, PO Box 2286
Umatilla, FL 32784-2286
352.669.3125; 352.669.8313 Fax
Email Contact ">Email Contact
Chamber of Commerce: Umatilla Chamber of Commerce
23 South Central Ave, PO Box 300
Umatilla, FL 32784-0300
352.669.3511; 352.669.8900 Fax
Library:
412 Hatfield Dr, Umatilla, FL 32784-8913
352.669.3284
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