Photo Courtesy of Orange County Parks
Halfway between Orlando and Florida’s Space Coast lies a town where the holiday spirit never fades — Christmas, Fla. With a population just shy of 1,665, this unincorporated community is one of only four places in the United States officially named “Christmas,” though 29 places share the festive theme in some form.
The name traces back to December 1837, when U.S. soldiers built a fort during the Second Seminole War, beginning construction on Christmas Day. The fort, made of cabbage palm logs, served as a supply depot for about 2,000 troops. Only 40 soldiers were stationed there, and the fort never saw battle. It was abandoned after the Second Seminole War ended in 1842 and eventually succumbed to fire and decay. Today, nothing remains of the original structure, though many current residents descend from the soldiers and settlers who homesteaded the area after the war.
The town keeps its holiday legacy alive through its local post office, which becomes a pilgrimage site each year, attracting tens of thousands of visitors who mail cards just to receive the coveted “Christmas” postmark.
Nearby, Fort Christmas Historical Park, which includes a replica of the original fort, hosts Cracker Christmas every December — a two-day event with live demonstrations, craft vendors and food. But even in July, homes sparkle with wreaths and lights. In Christmas, Fla., the season of giving is more than a date; it’s a way of life.