History

Photo of Harold S. Swartz playing a round of golf in The Villages (courtesy of The Historical Society of Lake Lake)

 

Beginning in the 1960s Harold S. Swartz and his business partner sold several land tracts to retired civilians and founded what officially earned its name as The Villages in 1992. What started as a small land investment led to Swartz buying and owning much of the region in central Florida. His son, H. Gary Morse suggested that his father attract a larger population of retired seniors by providing amenities that were popular in many other retirement communities. By providing golf courses, country clubs, swimming pools, sporting courts, shopping centers and town squares, The Villages has become a hot spot retirement location for active seniors.

Starting with the small neighborhood of Spanish Springs, The Villages has now expanded to three neighborhoods: Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter Landing Market and Brownwood Paddock. Each neighborhood is equipped with a town square, their own newspaper, and their own country clubs and golf courses. The Villages remains in hands of the Swartz and Morse family to this day.