Christmas Civic Association, Inc. P.O. Box 473 Christmas, FL  32709

Christmas, Florida is a rural community on State Road 50 approximately 20 miles east of Orlando and 10 miles west of Titusville.

The permanent Christmas tree at Christmas, Florida is the symbol of love and good will, the Christmas Spirit every day in the year.

This page is sponsored by the Christmas Civic Association, Inc.  The Association was organized May 1, 1964 with the objectives of promotion of better acquaintance and better fraternal spirit among the residents; dissemination of information conducive to the maintenance of safe prosperous, attractive and comfortable living; the creation of a spirit of cooperation and harmony among the residents; and the unification of the energy and efforts of the residents directed to all projects of community improvement.

The Association maintains the Christmas Community Center at 23760 East Colonial Drive, but acquiring the actual building was a result from many sources over the years.  Mr. Carl Bunkenfield of West Palm Beach donated the original plot of land in 1940.  Funds were raised by the Fair Committee, Christmas Men's Club, Christmas Women's Club and the Association.  Services were donated by many too numerous to mention.

MEETING AND COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Christmas Civic Association Board of Directors meets the third Monday of each month, with the exclusion of May, June, July and August.  Full membership meetings with election of officers are held the fourth Thursday in May and traditionally include a covered dish dinner.  Full membership meetings with installation of officers are held usually late in August, again traditionally including a covered dish dinner and political rally in election years.

Interested parties are invited to attend all meetings.

BELL RINGER

The Civic Association sponsors a monthly publication to keep the community apprised of local news and events.  The Bell Ringer is mailed free to all members whose dues are current.  It is available by subscription for $10.00 per year.

HISTORY

Christmas, Florida had its origin in a siege of war in 1837.  U.S. Soldiers, sent to help the white settlers battle the Seminole Indians, completed the log fort on December 25th and called it Fort Christmas.  A number of the soldiers decided to return after the war and homestead the area.

The replica of Fort Christmas was built in an Orange County Park to house a museum and was dedicated on December 17, 1977.  The grounds include a number of authentic pioneer homes, which have been moved to the site and restored.  Admission is free.

The Christmas Post Office was established on June 27, 1892.  Although the area was known as Fort Christmas for many years, the post office has always been just Christmas.  The story is that at the time there was only room for 10 letters on a cancellation stamp.

Complete history booklets are available at the Fort Christmas Historical Park at a cost of $5.00.

OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND ATTRACTIONS

Boy Scouts

Christmas Cemetery Association

Christmas Riverboat Association

Christmas Women's Club

Fort Christmas Historical Society

4-H and FFA

For more information on the above organizations, e-mail ChristmasFL@aol.com.

Christmas Church of God, 24313 East Colonial Drive

Fort Christmas Baptist Church, 23600 East Colonial Drive

Gilgal Baptist Church, 20875 East Colonial Drive

Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 766 Christmas School Road

4-H Cloverleaf Park, Colonial Drive

Jungle Adventures, 26205 East Colonial Drive

Midway Fish Camp Airboat Rides, 28501 East Colonial Drive

Orlando Wilderness Park, Wheeler Road

Tosohatchee State Reserve, 3365 Taylor Creek Road