Sebring, FL

We took a drive over to Sebring, FL yesterday for  dual purposes; 1. Find something to fill a corner in the RV and 2. To see Sebring.  Sebring, FL is a city in Highlands County (about 30 miles southeast of Wauchula) and is known as "The City on the Circle" in reference to Circle Drive in the center of Downtown Sebring.  The city is celebrating its Centennial this year.  It was founded in 1912 by George Sebring, a pottery manufacturer from Ohio who developed the city.  It has a unique downtown area  because instead of having a 'town square' it has a circle and the downtown buildings were built around the circle.  It is actually very cool and has created a beautiful downtown. Sebring was a stop on the Atlantic Coast Railroad Line.  Interesting enough, it does not have any major highways leading in or out of Sebring.  It is surrounded by several lakes and all are crystal clear and very blue.  The population of Sebring is 10,491 with a median income of $23,500 and a median age of 42.  Most of the buildings in the downtown area were built between 1920 and 1925 and are still in great condition today.  The firehouse was originally built in 1922 and went through a renovation that took six years but it is well worth it.  There are several historical buildings in Sebring but there is one that really stands out.  It is Harder Hall, a historical hotel, built in 1925.  Several people of industry and celebrities have stayed at Harder Hall.  Paul Newman, Steve McQueen and Mario Andretti to name a few.  The hotel was in business until 1982 and is currently up for sale.   Sebring is also home to the Sebring International Raceway that was created on a former airbase.  The Raceway was built in 1950 and is one of the oldest continously operating racetracks in the U.S.  It hosted the 1959 Formula One United States Grand Prix and is currently known for the '12 Hours of Sebring' an annually held American Le Mens Series race.  It is a great town that is moderen about the lake and yet you can step back in time in the downtown area.  It also has a beautiful park right on the lake with picnic tables.  In the middle of the park is a flagpole and circular area that mimics the downtown circle.
We enjoyed our day in Sebring.  We had lunch at a local restaurant in downtown Sebring called 'Dee's Place' where the staff is friendly, the food is good and it is where the locals hang out.  We were unsucessful finding something for the corner of the RV but we have time and will look again when we get to
Fort Myers next week.