GROVELAND, Fla. — The City of Groveland officially took ownership Friday of its historic downtown train depot, bringing the 101-year-old property under city control after years of negotiations.
The depot played a major role in Groveland’s early development, connecting the community by rail to Sanford and St. Petersburg and serving as a shipping point for citrus, timber, and turpentine.
The site also holds significance in the history of the Groveland Four. In 1949, 16-year-old Charles Greenlee, one of four Black men wrongfully accused in the case, was arrested at the depot.
City officials said efforts to acquire the privately owned property date back to around 2007. The transfer clears the way for Groveland to begin restoring the historic structure and eventually open it to the public.
The city has budgeted $500,000 for the first phase of restoration, which is expected to begin in 2027.
Future plans also call for an event space and a historic brick pedestrian plaza surrounding the depot, which would serve as a gateway and trail hub for downtown Groveland.
“This handoff is a momentous occasion for the City of Groveland as we take a huge step forward in preserving history,” Mayor Keith Keogh said.
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