Florida’s "Lost" Orange Orchards: Forgotten Citrus Farms of the Past – The history of abandoned or repurposed orange groves

“Lost” orange orchards-abandoned or repurposed citrus groves-are poignant reminders of Florida’s rich agricultural past and the ever-changing landscape of the state’s iconic orange industry. These forgotten farms, once vibrant with the scent of blossoms and the bustle of harvests, now stand as silent witnesses to a series of challenges and transformations that have reshaped Florida’s citrus belt.

A Boom, Then Busts

Florida’s citrus story began in the 16th century, when Spanish explorers brought orange trees to the region. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the state had become the nation’s leading orange producer, with groves stretching across central and southern Florida. However, the industry’s golden age was repeatedly interrupted by natural disasters. The Great Freeze of 1894-1895 devastated groves, forcing many growers to relocate or abandon their land. Hurricanes in the 1920s and again in the 2000s, along with the Mediterranean fruit fly outbreak in 1929, led to widespread destruction and the forced removal of entire groves.

Disease and Decline

In recent decades, citrus greening disease (HLB) has emerged as the most significant threat to Florida’s groves. First detected in 2005, greening has killed millions of trees, slashing orange production by over 90% since the early 2000s. Abandoned groves, left untended due to economic hardship or disease, have become havens for the insects that spread greening, compounding the problem for neighboring farms. By 2016, the USDA recorded more than 130,000 acres of abandoned citrus groves across Florid.

Repurposing and Urbanization

As Florida’s population booms, many former orange groves are being sold to developers. In places like Polk County, once the heart of citrus country, new housing developments now stand on land that was farmed by generations of growers. Packing houses and processing plants, once central to local economies, have been shuttered or demolished, their faded signs and empty structures serving as reminders of the region’s agricultural heritage.

A Legacy Remembered

While some “lost” orchards are reclaimed by nature or repurposed for new uses, their history endures in the stories of families, communities, and the state itself. These groves shaped Florida’s identity and economy, and their legacy is still felt today.

To explore more about Florida’s citrus heritage, visit floridaorange.com.

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