The Palms of Sanford

07/18/2026

I'm posting this here in case anyone who finds it has information about the 1884 Pioneer Gun Club of Sanford and its members. A couple researchers and I are having a good time trying to identify people in this image. According to the caption, we know several names, and are trying to cross reference other photos of those gentlemen, if we can find them. We see a smoke stack in the background and are also trying to locate where this image was taken. So if you're good at research or something stands out to you, please let us know!

This image is from 1884

Practice Day of the Pioneer Gun Club at Sanford
on their range at Mellonville near Sanford, Fla

R. H. Marks – President
H. L. DeForest – Vice President
G. A. Loud – Captain
Arthur Chaires – Secretary
S. F. Travis – Treasurer

07/14/2026

This is The Palms, circa 1972, as it transitioned from ownership by the deWolski family to Shoemaker Construction, who oversaw the extensive renovation.

06/08/2026

Facebook reminded me this image is from 13 years ago. A few things have changed color in that time, but this old house is structurally still the same. And you can often still find Alex in the same pose.

04/10/2026

This DeForest crate label is included in the Sanford Museum’s new temporary exhibit called “Crate Expectations.” 

We are so excited to have been nominated for the 'Best Family Attraction' and 'Best Museum' for !

Our goals at the Sanford Museum have been to preserve our local history while also making that history accessible for our communities! Thank you so much to those who support us and helps us accomplish those goals!

Make sure to vote for us everyday until April 24th!

https://www.votecentralflorida.com/

We would also love to thank our friends Sanford Historical Society who do so, so much for us! From purchasing expensive exhibit supplies to promoting local history through fantastic fundraisers, we really couldn't do it without you!

There are so many other friends who have helped us expand our mission! Check out our posts throughout the campaign

Today we are showcasing an old citrus label from our collection! This label was for the 'Palmetto Brand' of citrus distributed by N.S. DeForest's groves! If you want to learn more about crate labels and crate label art - be sure to check out our new temporary exhibit in our lobby, 'Crate Expectations'!!

02/12/2026

We're learning a lot more about the DeForest family and the early years of Sanford, thanks to two local historians, Dave Branchett and Karen Jacobs. They've been spending countless hours looking through microfiche records and old newspapers to help build a timeline of their movement in Sanford.

Recently we learned that Henry DeForest's first orange grove was located in today's Goldsboro, to our north east. We also believe his ownership of The Palms grove dates to 1873, purchased directly from General Sanford, who was a distant cousin.

This photo shows the original groves here at The Palms, looking northwest from a second floor window. It looks tremendously different now, filled with houses and paved roads. If you know the neighborhood, you're basically looking at the intersection of Aldean Drive and Brentwood Drive.

02/02/2026

The Great Freezes in the winter of 1894/95 devastated much of the Sanford's citrus trees. There was a hard, deep freeze in December of 1894, followed by another one in February of 1895.

This photo of The Palms was taken in May of 1895. On the back of the photo is written: "These orange trees have been buckhorned due to the freeze in preceding December & February and were later cut down even with the ground. Sprouts came up from around the stump."

This photo would have been taken from the Upsala Presbyterian Church, looking east through the orange grove towards the side of the house.

Photo courtesy the Sanford Museum.

02/01/2026

This morning‘s low temperature of 23° is the coldest February 1st recorded for Sanford, Florida.

We did what we could to protect our tropical gardens, took cuttings of a few plants, and are now enjoying a cozy fireplace.

01/10/2026

The detached garage is freshly painted thanks to Daniel and Rudy from KCC Painting - we are charmed!

01/02/2026

It’s shingle day for the new garage! The crew from Master Garage Builders is putting down architectural shingles that match the house.

12/16/2025

Windows and doors are in, siding is on, roof is ready for shingles, garage doors are going in, and the driveway is getting bricked! It has been a busy week here.