January 31st Everything to know about Apopka Florida

Spent most of the afternoon in Apopka, Florida-  about 42,000 population, one of the quicker growing towns in the state.  

Apopka is a city in Orange County, Florida. The city's population was 41,542 at the 2010 census, up from 26,969 at the 2000 U.S. Census. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area. Apopka is a Native American word for "Potato eating place". Apopka is often referred to as the "Indoor Foliage Capital of the World".

I can vouch for the indoor foliage moniker, there were lots and lots of flower places along the roads, as well as a huge Minute Maid Orange juice complex.

I visited the Wekiwa Springs State Park around town, and also picked up stamps for Lower Wekiwa River Preserve and Rock Springs Run as well.  

In addition, I got two markers from town.  

First the parks, 

Wekiwa Springs:

Welcome to Wekiwa Springs State Park

Located at the headwaters of the Wekiwa River, the beautiful vistas within this park offer a glimpse of what Central Florida looked like when Timucuan Indians fished and hunted these lands. Just one hour from most central Florida attractions, Wekiwa Springs offers visitors the opportunity to relax in a natural setting, enjoy a picnic, or take a swim in the cool spring. Canoeists and kayakers can paddle along the Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run. Thirteen miles of trails provide opportunities for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding.

This is a very popular park on weekends. To ensure entrance into the park, we recommend arriving early, otherwise, the parking area will be full and you may not be able to enter. Options for camping include a full facility campground and primitive camping areas. Canoe and kayak rentals are available.

Lower Wekiva River Preserve:

Central Florida nature exists in its purest form along four miles of the Wekiva River and Blackwater Creek. For thousands of years, Native Americans valued the abundance of wildlife in this area. This system of blackwater streams and wetlands provides habitat for black bears, river otters, alligators, wood storks, and sandhill cranes. Visitors can stroll along the Sand Hill Nature Trail for a self-guided tour of the native Florida plants and wildlife found at the park. Canoeists can paddle through the park on the Wekiva River. Equestrian camping is available in designated areas and can be reserved by calling Wekiwa Springs State Park. Horse stalls and corrals are available for equestrian campers. Located nine miles west of Sanford on State Road 46.

And Rock Springs Run:

 Welcome to Rock Springs Run State Reserve

Sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, swamps, and miles of pristine shoreline along Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River make this reserve a refuge of natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy bicycling, hiking, or horseback riding along 17 miles of trails. Guided trail rides and horse rentals are available. The trail may be closed temporarily on days when reserve staff is conducting prescribed burns. Each fall, areas of the reserve are closed to equestrians during weekends of special hunts. Primitive campsites on Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River are accessible by canoe only. Equestrian camping facilities are available. Campsites can be reserved by calling Wekiwa Springs State Park. Located in Sorrento off State Road 46. The reserve is open from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. daily.

ATTENTION VISITORS: THERE IS NO SWIMMING AT ROCK SPRINGS RUN STATE RESERVE.

For Markers, I got the Oldest Continuous Use for a Masonic Lodge Building: The sign was really grungy:  

Inscription. Masonic Lodge No. 36 of the Grand Jurisdiction of Florida was established in 1856 and is still serving under a warrant issued that year. This building was erected here in 1859; the upper story has been continually used for lodge meetings. The original lower floor was used as post office, school, church and general store. Masons from miles around visited the community, which was known as The Lodge until the Town of Apopka City was chartered in 1882. In 1952, due to the effects of deterioration and highway widening, the lower story was removed and replaced. Orange Lodge No. 36 is a “Moon Lodge” and meets on or before the full moon and two weeks thereafter. Sponsored by the City of Apopka Bicentennial Committee in cooperation with Department of State 

And another that was Lowell's Landing:

Inscription. In the 1870s, the early settlers of northwest Orange County looked to area waterways as commercial highways. Lake Apopka, the head of the Ocklawaha chain of lakes, offered access to the St. Johns River near Palatka and a way for citrus and vegetable growers near the banks of the lake to transport their products. In 1872, William A. Lovell (1828-1903) purchased 225 acres of land on the northwest side of the lake. At this location, he established a landing to serve as a hub for freight service on Lake Apopka and the surrounding region. Before steamer service began on the Ocklawaha in 1882, fruits and vegetables from 17 landings around the lake were brought to Lovell’s Landing for delivery by oxen to Clay Springs and areas further north. As commerce through Lovell’s Landing increased, the community constructed its own school, which operated from 1884-1895. In the 1920s, Apopka built a dock, clubhouse, and picnic grounds at the landing. In 1926, Orange County built a road connecting Apopka to the area. Waterway commerce from Lovell’s Landing subsequently declined as more and faster methods of transporting fruits and vegetables came to the region.