the history of Longwood dates back to the early 1800s the first white settles to arrive in Longwood were a group of homesteaders who came to the area in 1870 they settled along the shores of Lake Jesup and began to farm the land in 1873, john Neil Searcy, a Tennessee native, purchased 1200 acres in the area and founded the town of Longwood. the citrus industry was a major economic driver in the area, and Longwood became a popular destination for winter tourists. in 1920, Longwood experienced a period of rapid growth and was incorporated in 1925 john neill searcy founded Longwood edward warren henck, a boston native was a very successful businessman and civic leader hamilton holt , the former president of Rollins College became a advocate for social justice mary meserve....a suffragist and civic leader was a founding member of the League of Women Voters and served as the president of the Florida Federation of Women's clubs harry copeland 321-295-1420