A Family’s Vision on the Shores of Lake Placid Richardson’s Camp began as a modest family endeavor. Early accounts describe the Richardsons as hardworking settlers who recognized the potential of a lakeside camp where visitors could fish, relax, and enjoy the wilderness. They selected a stretch of shoreline known for its accessibility to d… Read More

Sparse Exploration of the Interior Compared to Florida’s coasts, the interior saw limited European exploration in the early colonial periods. Still, Spanish and later British surveyors documented Florida’s central lakes as they attempted to map routes, trade networks, and Native territories. Although no permanent European structures existed … Read More

Introduction: A Lakeside Landmark Rooted in Old Florida Along the quiet shoreline of Lake Placid, deep within the natural landscapes of Highlands County, Richardson’s Camp stands as a living fragment of Florida’s rural past. Long before modern tourism, highways, or structured recreation areas emerged, places like Richardson’s Camp provided r… Read More

A Gathering Place for Outdoor Enthusiasts As Grape Hammock developed into an established lakeside retreat, it attracted visitors from across Florida and beyond. Generations of families celebrated holidays, fishing tournaments, and reunions here. The environment encouraged storytelling—of big fish caught decades earlier, storms narrowly avoided… Read More