Casselberry Florida Real Estate City Guide Information

In the late 1920's, the "back country" of Winter Park experienced an agricultural boom. The cultivation of plumosus fern and gladioli bulbs brought thousands of dollars in profits to local farmers. Hibbard Casselberry, Sr. was one of these men. He owned the Winter Park Gladiola Gardens, as well as a small florist shop on Park Avenue in Winter Park. He sold Fernery Estates for Gordon Barnett's Fern Park Estates subdivision. When he split from Barnett, Casselberry started his own fernery business known as Winter Park Ferneries.

He acquired approximately 3,000 acres of land and developed part of it into the world's largest fernery. Casselberry and friends (totaling 25 voters) incorporated their properties in 1940, founding the city of Casselberry out of Fern Park in order to escape growing land taxes. He built the city around his Brightwater estate on the Triplett Chain of Lakes and the family ferneries started by Charles D. Haines.

Being a navy veteran of World War I, Hibbard saw the need to help the war effort in World War II, and shifted from ferns to textile production by manufacturing parachutes for the allies.

After the war, the town had grown to a population of 750. At the time, lots were selling from $400 to $2,500, and houses and lots were offered by Casselberry for as little as $8,950.

In 1970, Casselberry had a population of just over 6,000. Casselberry still had the distinction of being one of the few property-tax-free cities in Florida until 1976, when citizens voted for a millage for increased services. Casselberry encompasses an area of approximately 8 sq. miles. It has evolved from a sparsely populated agricultural town to a bustling, dynamic City which has maintained an enviable growth rate in both residential and commercial areas. Offering a rich quality of life supported by excellent City services, tranquil residential surroundings, and a continually expanding business market, Casselberry is an exciting and thriving community to live, work and play. Over the years, the population of the City has grown at a remarkable pace. For 2004, the official population estimate by the University of Florida, Bureau of Economic & Business Research is 24,735.

The City of Casselberry is governed by a Commission/City Manager form of municipal government. A Mayor and a four-member Commission are elected for four-year terms. They, in turn, employ a professional City Manager to oversee daily City operations.

If you are looking to move to Casselberry, Florida or sell your home in Casselberry, Florida please contact a licensed Real Estate Agent with ItsYourSale.com by using the form below or calling 407-951-5555