Quick stop in tiny Citra

Like Orange City, Citra is a small town with an old US highway going through it, (US 301), that was centered around the growing of citrus. The town's most distinctive feature today is the wonderful Citrus Shop, which has been in business since 1936. My stop last weekend fell during the citrus off season, so I could only take photos of the building and the signs and plan a return trip later in the Fall.




The freeze of 1894 forced many 19th century citrus growers further south.
Image from the State Archives of Florida.

This wonderful Baptist church was built in 1893.


This former bank appears to be in the midst of restoration.

What I enjoy about little towns like Orange City and Citra is that they have in large part escaped the out-of-control growth and bland homogenization that plagues the rest of Florida. There are contemporary structures, but here and there are wonderful historic structures without fanfare or celebration. And the landscape outside of town, especially around Citra, is pure Old Florida. It has a rural feeling with wonderful moss draped live oaks and large palmetto stands instead of strip malls and convenience stores.

The Orange Shop in Citra

One of the oldest citrus sellers in the state is just outside Gainesville in North Central Florida. The Orange Shop, in tiny Citra, Florida has been "growing, picking, hand-packing, selling and delivering fruit" since 1936! Located along US 301, it's hard to miss the place because for miles before and after the store, the highway is full of distinctive hand-painted billboards counting down the miles to the storefront. The business itself is located in what appears to be an old two-and-a-half story house with an orange and white striped awning across the front. Note the palm tree poking through the awning near the front.


Citra is located in the furthest north growing point for citrus in the state and the Orange Shop claims to have the highest quality navel oranges in the world. In addition to oranges, the shop features Indian River grapefruit, orange blossom honey, jellies and marmalades and specialty sauces and dressings. Long a Florida tradition, a stop at the Orange Shop is worth straying off the interstate to visit. Or just shop online!