A historic piece of Groveland's past is entering a new chapter.

After nearly two decades of negotiations and preservation efforts, the City of Groveland is moving forward with acquiring the historic downtown train depot, a 101-year-old landmark that played an important role in the city's early development.

The transfer marks a significant milestone for the community, opening the door for restoration efforts that could eventually transform the property into a public gathering space and a new downtown destination.

The historic depot dates back to 1925 and has deep connections to Groveland's beginnings.

When the community was originally known as Taylorville, the arrival of the Orange Belt Railway helped connect the growing settlement to other parts of Central Florida.

The railway eventually connected Groveland with communities including Sanford and St. Petersburg, creating important transportation and commercial opportunities.

The depot became a central point for transporting agricultural products and materials throughout the region, including citrus, timber, and turpentine.

For generations, the railroad played an important role in the local economy, helping establish Groveland as a growing community in Lake County.

Despite its historical significance, the depot remained privately owned for more than a century.

The depot also carries a more difficult chapter of local history.

In 1949, the site was connected to the arrest of Charles Greenlee, one of the four Black men who became known as the Groveland Four.

Greenlee was just 16 years old when he was arrested following a false accusation that led to one of the most significant cases of racial injustice in Florida's history.

The Groveland Four case involved wrongful accusations, arrests, and prosecutions that would leave a lasting impact on the community.

In later years, both the City of Groveland and Lake County formally acknowledged the historical significance of the case. State legislative efforts also resulted in reparations for the descendants of the Groveland Four.

City officials say preserving the depot means recognizing the community's complete history, including both its achievements and its difficult past.

The City of Groveland has budgeted $500,000 toward the first phase of restoration, with work expected to begin in 2027.

The initial phase will focus on restoring the existing historic structure.

Additional plans include developing an event space and creating a historic brick pedestrian plaza surrounding the depot.

The proposed improvements are intended to make the property more accessible to residents and visitors while creating a new gateway into downtown Groveland.

The site could eventually serve as a gathering place for community events while providing a connection to the area's railroad history and existing trail network.

Mayor Keith Keogh described the acquisition as a major step toward preserving Groveland's history and ensuring future generations understand the community's past.

Efforts to transfer ownership of the property to the city date back to approximately 2007.

Negotiations involved the city and private partners, including the Avalon Group and Carabao International.

With those efforts moving forward, the city is now positioned to begin the restoration process and determine how the historic property will serve the community in the years ahead.

A dedication ceremony was scheduled for October 30 at the depot property, located at 122 State Road 19 in downtown Groveland.

The depot restoration represents another potential investment in the future of downtown Groveland.

As the city continues to grow, preserving historic buildings and creating public gathering spaces could help maintain the character of the community while encouraging additional activity in its downtown district.

If completed as envisioned, the restored depot and surrounding pedestrian plaza could become a new destination for residents, visitors, and local events.

For a city that has experienced significant growth in recent years, the project offers an opportunity to preserve an important piece of its past while creating something for future generations.

One hundred years after helping connect Groveland to the rest of Central Florida, the historic train depot may soon once again become a gathering place for the community.