GOVERNOR'S GROVE

Governors' Grove was a small attraction south of Clermont that began life in 1958. The grove was on the east side of US-27 overlooking Lake Felter. 

It was created and sponsored by the Minute Maid Corporation, a large producer of Florida grown orange juice concentrate.

In 1958, the 50th Annual Governors Conference was held in Miami Beach at the Americana Hotel.

50th Annual Governors Conference, Miami 1958
Florida Memory

Each Governor of all United States and territories was given a tree and 400 square feet of land by the Minute Maid Corporation.

The fruit from each tree would be picked every year and sent to the Governor of each state as a gift.

Excited Boy at Governors Conference, Miami Beach
Florida Memory

The grove was located in Clermont, Florida and maintained by the Minute Maid Corporation.  The public was welcomed to visit the grove and look at their state's tree.

I can't remember when Governor's Grove disappeared, but I seem to remember driving by it in the mid 1960s.

It is gone today, but is near the large modern development of Kings Ridge.  You can still see the marshy shore of Lake Felter and the lake, but no grove.