Citrus County CRECOMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE · FLORIDA
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HISTORY · CITRUS COUNTY, FLORIDA

How Citrus County became a commercial market

"On June 2, 1887, Citrus County was officially created," according to the Citrus County Historical Society, when the legislature chose to "divide Hernando County into three separate entities (Citrus, a smaller Hernando, and Pasco)."[1] This page traces the railroads, phosphate, the courthouse in Inverness, the Crystal River power plants and the Suncoast Parkway.

Last updated · Published by Makayla Richardson, Commercial Real Estate Advisor

When was Citrus County created?

The Citrus County Historical Society dates the county to June 2, 1887, created by dividing Hernando County into Citrus, a smaller Hernando, and Pasco.[1] A state historical marker puts it simply: "Citrus County was formed from Hernando County in 1887."[3]

Why is Inverness the county seat?

"Mannfield, in the center of the new county, was chosen as the temporary county seat by the state legislature," and "Inverness was chosen as the permanent county seat in 1891," according to the Florida Division of Historical Resources.[2]

The City of Inverness says the earlier town "was sold to a firm in Jacksonville, and the name was changed to Inverness," and that "The City of Inverness incorporated on March 6, 1919."[4] The courthouse built there in 1912, "designed by architect Willis R. Biggers," is now a museum.[3][14] It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as NRIS 92000340.[11]

When did the railroad reach Citrus County?

The Citrus County Historical Society records the "first railroad to enter Citrus County on October 27, 1887." "Magnate Henry Plant purchased the SSO&G in January 1893," and "Both railroads opened depots in Inverness."[5] In Floral City, a state marker notes "the Plant System railway tracks were laid near the western edge of town in 1893."[6]

What was the Citrus County phosphate boom?

"The Florida Phosphate Boom also began in the 1890s, and a dozen mines soon dotted the area" around Floral City, according to the state's Historic Floral City marker, and "Mine workers swelled the village population to nearly 10,000 people."[6]

How did the Withlacoochee State Forest come about?

The Florida Forest Service says the land was "acquired by the federal government from private landowners between 1936 and 1939." The Forest Service lists "Total Acreage: 164,073" for the whole forest.[7] If you are assembling land near the forest, check the parcel lines against the state boundary early.

What happened to the Crystal River nuclear plant?

"Construction on Crystal River Unit 3 began Sept. 25, 1968," the Citrus County Chronicle reported, and "On Sept. 26, 2009, CR-3 shut down for what was supposed to be a routine refueling outage." Its timeline lists "Feb. 5, 2013" as the date "Duke permanently retires CR-3."[8] In Citrus County, "Duke Energy put the first 820 MW of power generation from the new gas plant into operation on October 26" 2018, POWER Magazine reported.[9]

When did the Suncoast Parkway reach Citrus County?

Bay News 9 reported in 2022 on the parkway extension's new interchanges, "one in Hernando County on U.S. 98 and the other on West Cardinal Street in Homosassa."[10] Later sections are covered in the market outlook.

Which historic places stand in Citrus County's towns?

The National Register lists the Old Citrus County Courthouse in Inverness (NRIS 92000340) and Crystal River Old City Hall (NRIS 98000588).[11][12] The Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins in Homosassa (NRIS 70000179) are located "FL 490 W of U.S. 19."[13] Long before any of them, the Crystal River Archaeological State Park site records "approximately 2,000 years of human settlement," according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.[15]

What this history means for a property owner today

If you own or are buying near downtown Inverness or Crystal River, ask whether a historic designation or redevelopment district applies to the parcel. If you are buying along the Suncoast Parkway corridor, ask how the interchange locations change access to the site.

Own or need space in Citrus County? Start with the site and the plan.

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Questions people ask

When was Citrus County, Florida founded?

The Citrus County Historical Society dates it to June 2, 1887, when Hernando County was divided into Citrus, a smaller Hernando, and Pasco.

What is the county seat of Citrus County?

Inverness. A state historical marker says Mannfield was the temporary seat and Inverness was chosen as the permanent county seat in 1891.

When was Inverness, Florida incorporated?

The City of Inverness says it incorporated on March 6, 1919.

When did the Crystal River nuclear plant shut down?

The Citrus County Chronicle reported that Crystal River Unit 3 shut down on September 26, 2009 for what was supposed to be a routine refueling outage.

Sources

  1. The first Citrus County commissioners, Citrus County Historical Society. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  2. Old Citrus County Courthouse (Florida Historical Marker), Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  3. Florida Historical Marker 693, Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  4. History, City of Inverness. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  5. The myth of the Cooter Pond railroad revisited, Citrus County Historical Society. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  6. Historic Floral City (Florida Historical Marker), Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, 2015. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  7. Withlacoochee State Forest, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  8. Nuclear plant nears final shutdown, Citrus County Chronicle, May 12, 2026. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  9. Duke Energy brings first 820 MW of new Florida gas plant online, POWER Magazine, October 31, 2018. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  10. Suncoast Parkway extension 2 open to travelers, Spectrum News Bay News 9, 2022. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  11. Old Citrus County Courthouse, NRIS 92000340, National Park Service, NPGallery. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  12. Crystal River Old City Hall, NRIS 98000588, National Park Service, NPGallery. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  13. Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins, NRIS 70000179, National Park Service, NPGallery. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  14. Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, Citrus County Historical Society. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  15. Crystal River Archaeological State Park, park chapter, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Accessed October 12, 2026.