The quirky Florida retirement community bigger than Manhattan

The Villages, Florida

In the 1960s, Michigan businessman Harold Schwartz founded The Villages in the early 1970s as a mobile home park.

By the 1970s, he and partner Al Tarrson had built Orange Blossom Gardens, a humble mobile home park.

Now it’s a 30,000-acre community where residents zip around in golf carts and enjoy free concerts every single night.

Here’s how a mail-order dream became America’s most famous retirement town.

From Radio Sales to Real Estate Dreams

Born in Chicago in 1910, Schwartz operated radio broadcasting before creating what now spans three Florida counties: Sumter, Lake, and Marion.

Census data from 2020 counted 79,077 residents in this location 20 miles south of Ocala and 45 miles northwest of Orlando.

Florida land sales occupied Schwartz in the 1960s, as he sold parcels through mail-order advertising with “$10 down and $10 a month” deals.

But, federal legislation prohibited mail-order real estate sales in 1968.

So, Schwartz and his partner Al Tarrson pivoted to develop Orange Blossom Gardens mobile home park on land they already owned.

When Gary Morse Transformed His Father’s Vision

Schwartz bought out Tarrson’s interest in 1983 and recruited his son H. Gary Morse to revitalize the struggling community.

Morse brought advertising and marketing expertise to the venture after relocating his entire family to Central Florida.

Del Webb’s Sun City near Tampa inspired Morse to implement swimming pools, golf courses, and recreational facilities for retirees.

As a result, Orange Blossom Gardens sold 99 homes during the remainder of 1983, followed by 277 more in 1984.

The Villages Becomes Official in 1992

Early 1990s records showed over 8,000 residents calling the community home. Morse sketched the initial concept on a dinner napkin.

Spanish Springs Town Square opened as the first town center in 1994, designed by the same firm that worked on Universal Studios theme parks.

Katie Belle’s restaurant and dance hall stood at the center of the square, named after Harold Schwartz’s mother.

Community Development Districts Fund Growth

CDDs function as special-purpose local governments with authority to issue low-interest bonds for infrastructure projects.

Seventeen residential CDDs now operate across The Villages, managing everything from roads to recreation centers.

In 2013, an IRS ruling declared $426 million in bonds issued by one CDD were not tax-exempt.

Three Town Squares Form Community Hearts

Spanish Springs Town Square introduced Spanish/Mexican architecture in 1994, followed by Lake Sumter Landing’s maritime theme on actual lakefront property.

Brownwood Paddock Square added a western-themed town center to complete the trio of gathering places. Free entertainment runs 365 days each year across all squares.

A fourth area, Sawgrass Grove, joined these established squares recently.

Each center contains approximately 500,000 square feet of commercial space filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

The Golf Cart Community Takes Shape

Golf cart paths extend approximately 90 miles across The Villages. US 27/441 on the east and US 301 on the west mark the community boundaries.

Most residents drive golf carts rather than automobiles for daily transportation. Four bridges carry golf carts safely across major highways.

Chitty Chatty Bridge opened in October 2020 over Florida State Road 44, followed by Brownwood Bridge in December, completing the transportation network.

More Than 50 Golf Courses Spread Out

Over 40 executive courses and 12 championship layouts welcome all levels of skill.

Good Golf School sessions teach residents proper etiquette and course rules. Public golf courses welcome non-resident players.

Executive courses charge $15-$30 while championship courses range from $40-$90 depending on season.

Tee times require reservation through The Villages golf website or pro shops. Golf clubs rent for $25-$40 per round at most courses.

Recreation Centers and Social Clubs

Resident-led clubs exceed 3,000 in number. S.T.A.R. (Special Talented Adult Residents) supports adults with special needs.

Monthly amenity fees of approximately $189 (as of 2025) grant access to swimming pools, fitness centers, and activity rooms.

Tailored activities and events connect all residents regardless of ability. Over 150 pickleball courts claim The Villages as a major destination.

Harold Schwartz’s Legacy Lives On

Harold Schwartz died in December 2003 at age 93. A statue honors him in a fountain at Spanish Springs Town Square, with his ashes sealed in the base.

In 1997, Shwartz appeared on a billboard pointing to a construction site, declaring, “I’ll live to see The Villages Regional Hospital right here!”

Gary Morse continued developing The Villages until his death on October 29, 2014, at age 77. Morse family members still oversee operations today.

Visiting The Villages, Florida Today

According to Inside the Bubble, “The Villages population passed 100,000 in 2012 and there are more than 130,000 residents today”.

You can access this via US Highway 27/441 along the eastern edge, while Interstate 75 connects through exit 329 at Wildwood, about 10 miles west.

The Villages offers Lifestyle Preview Packages for prospective residents. Town squares remain open to the public without entry fees.

Rental cars serve as the primary transportation method for arriving visitors. Daily or weekly golf cart rentals cost $40-$60 per day through local vendors.

Free nightly entertainment begins at 5 pm and continues until 9 pm year-round. Restaurants and shops typically operate from 10 am until 9 pm.

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