You’ll discover Pittman’s ghost town remains between Lake Dorr and the Ocala National Forest at 29.00194°N and 81.64444°W. Founded in 1883 by George T. Pittman, this once-bustling timber and agricultural community thrived until the late 1920s. The Southern States Timber Company‘s liquidation in 1928, followed by natural disasters and the Great Depression, led to its abandonment by 1938. The site’s rich history reveals the volatile nature of early Florida settlements.
Key Takeaways
- Pittman was established in 1883 by George T. Pittman near Lake Dorr, Florida, as a frontier settlement with timber operations.
- The town thrived through timber industry and agriculture until the Southern States Timber Company’s liquidation in 1928.
- Economic decline, resource depletion, and the Great Depression led to the town’s abandonment by 1938.
- Located at 29.00194°N and 81.64444°W in Lake County, the ghost town site has no substantial remaining structures.
- The area transformed from a bustling commercial center to an abandoned settlement, symbolizing early Florida frontier town volatility.
Origins and Early Settlement History
In 1883, George T. Pittman left Kentucky to establish a new settlement near Lake Dorr in Lake County, Florida. His settler motivations aligned with many northerners who sought opportunities in the state’s promising frontier during the late 19th century.
Pioneers like George T. Pittman ventured south to Florida in the 1880s, drawn by the promise of untamed frontiers and new beginnings.
You’ll find that Pittman’s influence quickly shaped the town’s community dynamics. He partnered with Murray Thomas to develop essential infrastructure, including the area’s first store and hotel.
They established a local bank under Pittman, Thomas, Robinson and Company, while the Presbyterian church served as a spiritual anchor. The town’s growth was supported by its strategic location along the St. Johns and Lake Eustis Railway, completed in 1881. Like many frontier settlements, the town’s success was tied to resource extraction and would eventually face decline as timber reserves depleted.
The *Pittman Argus* newspaper kept residents informed and connected, fostering a close-knit community of roughly 100 inhabitants. Children received their education at the local Grassy Pond School, which served as an important center for the community’s youth.
Town Life and Economic Activities
While Pittman’s population remained modest throughout its existence, the town’s economic life centered primarily around timber operations and agriculture.
You’d find men working for the Southern States Timber Company, engaging in seasonal employment that followed the natural rhythms of logging and farming cycles. The local general store served as both a trading hub and community gathering spot, where you could purchase essential supplies and catch up on local news.
Community events, often centered around the churches and schoolhouse, brought residents together and maintained social bonds. Like in nearby Rosewood, the community relied heavily on farming and sawmills for sustenance and employment. Many residents later relocated to Chicago and other northern cities to escape the region’s violent history.
Women contributed through domestic work and helped run family stores, while skilled craftsmen like blacksmiths and carpenters provided crucial services.
The town’s prosperity ebbed and flowed with external timber demand and agricultural market conditions, ultimately shaping Pittman’s destiny as a ghost town.
Factors Leading to Abandonment
The collapse of Pittman’s thriving community began with the gradual depletion of its timber resources in the late 1920s.
Pittman’s establishment in 1883 marked the beginning of its short-lived prosperity.
Much like the devastating effects seen at The Place at Alifaya, where Hurricane Ian forced mass abandonment, natural disasters played a crucial role in Pittman’s decline.
You’ll find that Southern States Timber Company’s decision to liquidate its assets in 1928 marked a turning point, as the town’s economic foundation crumbled. Without successful economic diversification beyond lumber, Pittman couldn’t sustain itself.
Devastating hurricanes struck powerful blows to the remaining timber infrastructure, while the Great Depression’s grip tightened on the local economy.
You can trace the population migration pattern as residents abandoned their homes in search of work elsewhere. By 1938, the sale of the town to a turpentine operator sealed Pittman’s fate.
The dismantling of homes and businesses followed, leaving behind yet another Florida ghost town – a stark reminder of nature’s power and economic vulnerability.
Present-Day Remnants and Location
Located at coordinates 29.00194°N and 81.64444°W, Pittman’s ghost town remains lie in northern Lake County, Florida, near the Marion County border.
You’ll find the site nestled between Lake Dorr to the east and Ocala National Forest to the north, at an elevation of 69 feet above sea level.
While there aren’t any substantial standing structures documented, the natural surroundings remain largely undeveloped.
State Road 19 provides access to the area, connecting you to Eustis 11 miles south and Palatka 52 miles north.
The current population of the Census-designated place is small, with just 180 residents recorded in 2010, though they’re likely scattered near rather than within the ghost town proper.
For accuracy in navigation, visitors should note that specific internal links to Pittman often need clarification to distinguish this location from other similarly named places.
The 1.3-square-mile area consists primarily of forests and waterways, preserving much of its original landscape. The Valley of Calvary Ministries serves as one of the few established landmarks in the vicinity.
Historical Significance in Lake County
The town’s economic decline began with the devastating Big Freeze of 1894-95, which destroyed local citrus crops.
Similar to the South Wind Trading Post, Pittman evolved from its original commercial purpose into something quite different over time.
You can trace Pittman’s significance in Lake County history through its role as a transportation hub and agricultural center, though the freeze ultimately led to the community’s dissolution.
Today, Pittman stands as a symbol of the volatile nature of Florida’s early settlements. Like many Lake County ghost towns, it has been carefully documented through collaborative efforts between historical societies and modern mapping initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were There Any Notable Crimes or Unsolved Mysteries in Pittman’s History?
You won’t find documented unsolved disappearances or notorious criminals specific to the ghost town itself. The only connected violent cases involve David and Christopher Pittman, who committed murders elsewhere in Florida.
What Native American Tribes Originally Inhabited the Pittman Area?
Archaeological evidence spanning 12,000+ years shows the Timucua tribe first dominated your area, with Creek Indians later migrating south. The Potano, a Timucua subgroup, and Mayaca peoples also called it home.
Did Any Famous People or Historical Figures Visit Pittman?
You won’t find records of any famous visitors to the area. Despite its historical significance as a settlement, there’s no documented evidence of nationally or regionally known figures ever visiting there.
What Natural Disasters or Epidemics Affected the Town of Pittman?
While thousands of Florida towns faced hurricanes and epidemics in the early 1900s, you won’t find records of specific natural disasters or disease outbreaks directly impacting Pittman’s small community.
Are There Any Local Legends or Folklore Associated With Pittman?
You won’t find documented ghost stories or local hauntings specific to Pittman. While neighboring ghost towns have their share of folklore, research hasn’t uncovered any verified legends from this former community.
References
- https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-history-forgot-rosewood-a-black-town-razed-by-a-white-mob-180981385/
- https://www.bunkhistory.org/resources/how-history-forgot-rosewood-a-black-town-razed-by-a-white-mob
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLjJgow10v4
- https://www.emeraldcoastmagazine.com/ghost-towns-of-west-florida/
- https://kinseekers.org/cpage.php?pt=17
- https://www.ocalastyle.com/ghost-towns-of-lake-sumter/
- https://floridatrailblazer.com/category/ghost-towns/page/2/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbJ_Qt3plJU
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Florida
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XuNR0AOlQU
