Howey-in-the-Hills: Lake County’s Tiny Treasure

Howey‑in‑the‑Hills may be the best‑kept secret in Lake County, Florida. It’s tiny, but its story is anything but. In these rolling hills, yes, Florida really does have hills, the state’s citrus industry found its footing.

The Vision of William Howey

William Howey first visited the area in 1914 and fell in love with the landscape he called “The Florida Alps.” By 1920, he owned about 60,000 acres and set out to build a citrus empire here. The town, originally named Howey, later became Howey‑in‑the‑Hills and was incorporated on May 8, 1925. Howey served as mayor until 1936 and even ran for governor twice.

His citrus operation thrived thanks to innovations in growing and processing. He built Florida’s first citrus juice plant in 1921 and became the first grower to ship fruit overseas to England. But the Depression and fruit fly infestations eventually weakened the empire. Howey died of a heart attack in 1938, leaving behind a legacy that still shapes the town.

The Howey Mansion

Howey built a Mediterranean Revival mansion for his wife, Mary Grace, and their two adopted daughters. They moved in during 1925, and today the home is beautifully restored.
I took a guided tour, and from the moment I stepped through the Art Deco stained‑glass front door, shaped like a peacock tail glowing with daylight, I felt transported to the 1920s. The house was remarkably modern for its time, with electricity, running water, and central heat powered by a wood‑burning furnace. Our guides, Fran and Mercy, walked us through room after room filled with character.

We began in the drawing room, used for formal entertaining, then moved through William’s and Grace’s offices. Upstairs is the children’s wing with two bedrooms, a Jack‑and‑Jill bath, a playroom, and a porch. Grace’s suite is especially lavish: a sitting room, dressing room, four cedar‑lined closets, and her own Jack‑and‑Jill bath. Closets were new then, so the government didn’t know how to tax them and taxed them as separate rooms.

My favorite space was the “secret” basement bar Howey built to sidestep Prohibition. We entered through a door disguised as part of the wall and descended a stone staircase to a fireproof bank vault door. Inside, the bar looked ready for a speakeasy party.

Outside, the mansion is surrounded by lush landscaping and ancient moss‑draped oaks. Behind the courtyard and fountain sits the original three‑car garage with a two‑bedroom chauffeur’s apartment above it.

Mission Resort and Club

In 1917, Howey built the Floridan Country Club and the El Campeón golf course, designed by George O’Neil. Nick Beucher purchased the property in 1964 and transformed it into Mission Inn, adding Spanish names to match the architecture. Today, it’s Mission Resort + Club, owned by MMI Hospitality Group. The “Club” means you can purchase a membership and enjoy the resources without staying at the resort.

The resort has 176 rooms, two championship golf courses, a spa, and plenty of activities. My room overlooked the golf course from a peaceful balcony. I couldn’t resist a dip in the pool and hot tub before heading to the spa for a massage.

I’m not much of an athlete, but I enjoyed meeting tennis pro Cesar Villarroel, who gave us pickleball lessons on one of the four courts. Playing on El Campeón was a thrill, even though I came in last during our putting competition. Golf pro Kathy Butler kindly offered tips to improve my game.

The Trails of the Conquistadors wind through El Campeón, and I spotted egrets, sandhill cranes, limpkins, songbirds, and even alligators. The resort’s second course, Las Colinas, designed by Gary Koch in 1992, is larger and flatter but doesn’t have the same old‑Florida charm as El Campeón.

We also watched guests playing Croquet Golf, the resort’s newest sport, on the lawn near the pro shop. Indoors, there are billiards and other games.

Dining in The Howey Mansion

We sampled each of the resort’s restaurants, and each offered something different. Conquistador Bar & Restaurant is an upscale dining spot. Dennis Riley, Director of Food & Beverage, joined us and explained the Mexican influence. The previous owner, Nick Beucher, once traveled across Mexico on horseback. Three textured abstract murals behind the bar evoke the colors of a Mexican landscape. The Braised Short Rib is melt‑in‑your‑mouth tender, and the Grilled Chicken Flatbread makes a perfect light lunch. Dessert is a tough choice between the Crème Brûlée and the Earthquake Cake.

La Hacienda was our breakfast stop. One morning, I tried the buffet; friends ordered from the menu. If you’re there on a Sunday, don’t miss the Champagne Brunch—the largest buffet I’ve ever seen. I loved the fresh ham with mustard sauce from the carving station.

The Grove, next to the pro shop, is a favorite among golfers. We enjoyed an outdoor picnic under a huge oak tree beside the fountain. My garden salad came topped with some of the biggest shrimp I’ve ever seen. The Grove also hosts Afternoon Tea on select dates, and Banquet Chef Danny Connolly offers cooking classes for aspiring chefs.

If you get hungry at the pool, there’s a small bar with snacks and drinks. We happened to visit on the last Saturday of the month, so we explored the Artisan Market near The Grove. I sampled Drunken Goat Cheese and got a bargain on a large thyme plant that’s now thriving on my porch.

If you want to dine off‑property, JB Boondocks Bar n’ Grill sits on Little Lake Harris and offers fresh seafood and casual fare, with indoor and deck seating.

Parks in Howey‑in‑the‑Hills

For a town of just over 2,200 residents, Howey‑in‑the‑Hills has several charming parks.
Sara Maude Mason Nature Preserve is the largest, with a trail winding through old‑growth trees. Picnic tables offer quiet spots for birdwatching. I saw a few songbirds and butterflies, but the preserve is also home to osprey, herons, hawks, bald eagles, and the rare Florida scrub jay.

Griffin Park has a boat ramp on Little Lake Harris, exercise equipment, a playground, picnic shelter, and plenty of wildlife. Four sandhill cranes strutted around like they owned the place during my visit.
Blevins Patriot Park honors military veterans with plaques beneath a circle of flags representing each branch of service.

Central Park, next to the Police Station, Town Hall, and library, has a basketball court, pavilion, and playground.

The town still has an old‑Florida feel, with scattered orange groves and a water tower proudly labeled Howey‑in‑the‑Hills. Each May, the Howey Founder’s Day Festival celebrates the town’s history and community spirit.

 

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