← THE REGISTER / CENTRAL FLORIDA / LAKE COUNTY

The Citrus Tower

Clermont, Lake County

ROADSIDE GIANT

8STRANGENESS
OUT OF TEN

WHAT IT IS

A 226-foot concrete tower built in 1956 so tourists could look at orange groves that no longer exist.

It was the tallest thing in central Florida, built on one of the state's highest hills so visitors could see seventeen million citrus trees. Then came the freezes of the 1980s, and the groves were replaced by subdivisions. The tower still charges admission for the view, which is now of subdivisions. The gift shop is unchanged since roughly 1974 and the elevator operator will tell you what used to be there.

HOW IT SCORES

Rarity6/10

Is there anywhere else like it?

Backstory9/10

How did this come to be?

Disrepair7/10

What is holding it together?

Commitment8/10

How far do they take the bit?

NEARBY

Presidents Hall of Fame1 mi · Clermont Orange World20 mi · Kissimmee Gatorland27 mi · Orlando

BEFORE YOU DRIVE

ENTRY FEE: $8 observation deck
HOURS: Mon–Sat 10am–5pm
BEST TIME: Clear day. That is the entire proposition.
HOW LONG: 45 minutes
PARKING: Free lot
PAYMENT: Cards accepted
ACCESS: Elevator to the deck

COORDINATES

28.5586° N, 81.7714° W

141 N Highway 27, Clermont. Impossible to miss.

OPEN IN MAPS →

DETAILS COMPILED FROM PUBLISHED SOURCES. FEES CHANGE. CALL AHEAD.