A Short History of Lecanto

After the creation of Citrus County in 1887, Lecanto found itself in the center of the new county. In 1891, it almost became the permanent county seat, but lost to the new town of Inverness by only nine votes. The election was closely contested. Lecanto continued to be just an agricultural-based community, but would be caught up in the Florida land boom of the 1920s.

A Chamber of Commerce was formed with a slogan “Where Farmers Live At Home” and a metal sign for car fronts was produced which said “Lecanto – The Hub of Citrus County”.

Click here for the "Fairgrounds" page

Click here for the "Cemetery" page

Click here for the "Schools/Church" page

First Settlers Arrive - 1860 Magnolia Cemetery Established - 1869 First School and Church Built - 1870's First Post Office and Named Changed to Lecanto - 1883 Citrus County Created - 1887 Inverness Wins County Seat Over Lecanto by 9 Votes - 1891 First Fair In Lecanto - 1915 Highway 44 Paved - 1923 Lecanto Incorporated - 1926 Electricity Comes to Lecanto - 1930's First Telephone Installed - 1949 Fence Law Goes Into Effect - 1950 Highway 491 Paved - 1951 J. Murray Davis Retires From Post Office - 1962 Property Deeded to Citrus County Historical Society - 1981 State Road 44 is 4-Laned - 1990's Creation of this heritage site in Lecanto, FL - 2009