Upscale Longwood, one of the county’s oldest communities, started as a winter resort hotel. It was incorporated in 1875 as a lumber mill town, and still maintains its fine historic district. The Bradley-McIntyre House, Longwood Village Hotel and Christ Episcopal Church are among the many important historic buildings in the area. Longwood’s oldest “resident” is The Senator, a 3,500-year-old cypress tree and one of the largest in the United States.

Most neighborhoods are well established and still very much in demand due to Longwood’s reputation as a desirable address. Long known for its country club homes, Longwood is primarily a residential area. The city’s population has grown rapidly since 1970, when 3,200 people made their home here, to more than 13,000 residents today. The city has more than 40 acres of public parks that include facilities for softball, tennis, volleyball and jogging. The Sheridan Aquatic Center offers programs for everyone from toddlers to senior citizens.

New economic and development opportunities were brought to the area in the 1960s and 1970s, fueled by both the space industry and the development of Walt Disney World and other attractions. Longwood provides a comfortable, small-town atmosphere while being nestled within a larger, dynamic metropolitan area, internationally known for its ambiance and attractions.