Lake County, Florida

Tavares (, tuh-VAIR-ees) is a city and the county seat of Lake County, Florida. The population at the 2020 census was 19,003, and in 2019 the population was estimated to be 17,749. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The Duncan House, or Harry C. Duncan House, is a historic home in Tavares, Florida, United States. It is located at 426 Lake Dora Drive. On August 8, 1997, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The home is notable as an example of the Colonial Revival style of architecture and was designed by Katharine Cotheal Budd, the first woman to be granted membership in the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects (Allaback 2008, p. 58). Built in 1925, the house was used as an event venue, set location, bed and breakfast and private residence.

The Tavares, Eustis & Gulf Railroad (TE&G), advertised as the Orange Blossom Cannonball, was a tourist railroad company operating excursion trains on historic track owned by the Florida Central Railroad, from October 2011 to late March 2017. It had stops in three cities in the northern portion of Central Florida. The TE&G was a subsidiary of the Reader Railroad, based in Arkansas.

Opened in 1995, the Lake County Museum of Art (LCMA) exhibits historic, contemporary artwork from local, regional, and national sources. LCMA is the first art museum in Lake County dedicated wholly to visual art.

The Old Lake County Courthouse (constructed in 1922) is a historic courthouse in Tavares, Florida, located at 315 West Main Street. On September 25, 1998, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The Lake County Historical Museum is located on the first floor of the courthouse. The museum's exhibits focus on the county's history and cultural heritage.

The Lake County Public Library System (LCLS) is a library system located in Lake County, Florida.

Tavares High School is a high school located in Tavares, Florida, United States, and is one of seven public high schools operated by Lake County Schools in Lake County, Florida. The school was built in 1926 and originally housed grades 9 and 10. In 1927, grades 11 and 12 were added, making it a true high school. It is made up of approximately 2,000 students. and the current principal is Jacob Stein

Blandford is a historic building at 28242 Lake Terry Drive near Mount Dora, Florida, United States. On November 1, 2007, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Liberty Christian Preparatory School (LCPS) is a private Christian school in Tavares, Florida, United States, run by neighboring Liberty Baptist Church. Founded in 1983, it educates approximately 500 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. After a 2002 expansion, it changed to its current name from Liberty Christian Academy, reflecting the upgrade of its curriculum to a college-preparatory program accredited by the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, the National Council for Private School Accreditation and the Middle States Association-Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. The school began informally as a daycare for the young children of congregants attending services shortly after Liberty Baptist built its first building on its present property along County Road 19A on the isthmus between lakes Eustis and Dora, in 1978. A two-story building was built for the school in 1982 after parents expressed a wish for a full school program. At some time around then it acquired the name Liberty Christian Academy, before formally becoming certified by the American Association of Christian Schools in late 1983. In 1999 the main building was built, housing the gym and auditorium. Most graduates attend college, primarily in Florida and nearby Southeastern states. The school has a student–teacher ratio of 16:1 and reports that 36 percent of its students are members of minorities. Since its founding, LCPS has maintained athletic programs and fielded teams that compete as the Lions (formerly the Eagles). In 2023, it competed in eight-man football for the first time; many of the players had never played tackle football before. After some difficult losses early in the season, the team won the Sunshine State Athletic Association AAAA championship. LCPS gained national attention in 2024 after it barred Michelle Cline, a mother of two students from driving her minivan onto the property to pick up and drop off her children unless she removed a large rear window decal advertising the OnlyFans channel she operated with her husband, which she refused to do since she had already been doing so for some time without any complaint from the school. She chose instead to park the vehicle at an assisted living center across the street at the beginning and end of the school day. Several weeks later, the school expelled her children, all six children of a woman who had complained about the decal on TikTok, and another student who had viewed the mother's channel from school on his phone. LCPS offered to re-enroll both women's children if they removed all their offending online content, but they refused.

The Dead River, found in Lake County, Florida, USA, serves as the division between the cities of Tavares and Leesburg. It received its name due to lack of a current. Studies have shown that a simple john boat can remain in nearly the same position if left on the river overnight with less than five feet of drift. The Dead River connects Lake Eustis and Lake Harris. The only roadway to cross the river is U.S. Highway 441/SR 44 near the river's northern mouth toward Lake Eustis. There is one business located directly on the river. Hurricanes Dockside Grill (2017) previously known as Dead River Vic's (1999), Harbor Side (2006), Nates River Deck (2008) and JJ Fin's (2009). For a historical look at Lake County waters, this was written in the 1930s: Amid the slopes and waters of beautiful Lake County, are Leesburg, Eustis, Tavares, and Mount Dora, all possessed of excellent tourist accommodations and such natural and man-made beauty, combined with all sorts of sport advantages, that the sport-loving visitor is thrilled. Bass fishing surpasses anything you have ever known in that line. Citrus fruits and other products abound. Golf courses are found in every community. As an all-year resort section, this is hard to equal. On June 18, 2003, Brian Griffin, 12, was killed by a 10' 4" alligator while swimming in the Dead River near a boat ramp.