What do Santa Claus and the world's largest alligator have in common? Why, the town of Christmas, Florida! Swampy, the world's largest alligator, measuring in at just over 200 feet, can be found at Jungle Adventures Nature Park in Christmas along with the rare Florida Panthers, black bears, gray wolves, white-tailed deer, tropical birds, reptiles, and mammals.
The town of Christmas, Florida has been known to mail and receive more than a few Santa Claus correspondences during the winter holidays. People come from miles around to have the Christmas, Florida postmark on their holiday greeting cards.
While relatively quiet the rest of the year, the friendly folks of Christmas are superbly placed within minutes of the Orlando metropolis, but are able to maintain their small hometown feel. Residents of Christmas like to keep with the theme and driving through the town it is not uncommon to see Christmas trees, holiday lights, and wreaths used as decor year round both in public buildings and private residences.
An unpretentious town that according to the 2000 census is home to about 1,162 residents; Christmas is located in delightful Orange County about 20 miles east of Orlando, on Highway 50 along the way to the Space Coast's Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and Canaveral National Seashore in Titusville.
Christmas was originally called "Fort Christmas" by U. S. Army Soldiers and Alabama Volunteers who arrived near this spot to construct a fort on December 25, 1837. Fort Christmas Historical Park offers residents and tourists an opportunity to view a full-size replica of Fort Christmas and seven restored historical homes.
Since the elves are busy making toys, new home construction is scarce in the town of Christmas. Homes have addresses such as Reindeer Road and Jingle Road and consist of mostly ranch-style homes with concrete block, stucco, and brick exteriors. Currently, homes built in the 1970s through 1990s are on the market.
Christmas is part of the sought-after Orange County School System and there are no public schools in rural Christmas.
In June 2008, the average sales price of a single family home or condo in Christmas, FL was $260,000. While this data is collected from the MLS and deemed reliable, it is not guaranteed.
