Maitland Real Estate

More About Maitland

Formerly the home of the Seminole Indians, Maitland was first known by that name in 1838, when Fort Maitland was established. After the Civil War, the area became surrounded by citrus groves. The demand for Florida citrus caused a railroad to be built from Maitland to Jacksonville and for years, Maitland was a citrus farming center, with 300,000 boxes of citrus fruit shipped north each season. The citrus era for Maitland came to an end with the freezes of 1894-5, which brought down the citrus industry, but didn't kill the community, which became a vacation destination for the wealthy.

The community grew, first in the 1950s, with the influx of families employed by the Martin Marietta Corporation, which moved to Orlando and transferred its employees several hundred at a time. The 1970s saw Disney World revitalize the economy of the area and bring even more people into Maitland. Growth continues to this day. A mix of single-family homes, condos and townhomes has been the result, affording a variety of real estate for home buyers to choose from.

Despite the steady growth characterizing this area, Maitland continues to preserve the historic buildings of its past. The Orlando Avenue Corridor consists of the historic homes of Maitland still standing in the Lake Lily/Lake Catherine area. These include the 1881 Robert L. Wagner House, the 1885 Arthur O'Heir house, the 1885 James Arch House, the 1890 High Oaks/Chadburne Hall and the 1908 Hill-Stone House. Maitland is also the birthplace of the Florida Audobon Society, which still works for conservation of wildlife habitat in the many lakes dotting the community.

Maitland is a great place for people who enjoy the outdoors. The numerous lakes afford plenty of fishing opportunities for those looking to catch black crappie, largemouth bass and sunshine bass. The lakes are also popular for swimming, boating and other watersports. Lakeside properties in Maitland have become in high demand by higher-income families and have consequently enjoyed an increase in value.