Keystone Heights, Florida
The small picturesque community of Keystone Heights in northeast Florida has grown rapidly over the past decade. Despite the boom, it retains its small town feel, friendliness, and family values. Small wonder then, that this little single square mile paradise is popular as a retirement community and commuter town for people working in nearby areas.
About The Community
Located at the southern tip of Clay County, Keystone Heights has Gainesville to the Southwest and Jacksonville to the Northeast. Famous for its numerous sand bottomed lakes, parks and a quaint downtown area the city was called Brooklyn in the early years. It got its present name from early settlers from Pittsburgh who named it for their home state Pennsylvania, the “Keystone State” and incorporated it in 1925.
An early landmark of the city was The Keystone Inn, a wooden hotel built, like many of the houses and roads, in the 1920s. It was the hub of all social activities until its upper floors caught fire in 1954. The property lay vacant without any repair or improvements until the city purchased the property in 1999. The neglected state of the building compelled them to tear down the Inn and convert the property into a walking park for residents.
Important Links
Keystone Heights is home to about 1500 mostly well to do people. Most businesses are family-owned service, retail, and professional enterprises. Local housing comprises of single-family homes. There are good schools, numerous churches, and all the facilities for the residents to enjoy a good quality of life. The community has achieved an impressive rate of constant growth over the past few years.
Vicinity of Keystone Height
Additional Details
Most of Keystone Heights’ lakes are seepage lakes, as they do not have a creek or stream to supply them with water. They get their water from the water table and from the pressurized waters of the Floridan Aquifer. The lakes are unique in that they recharge the Floridian Aquifer by capturing rainfall and slowly seeping down.
Enjoy a round of golf at the highly rated Keystone Golf and Country Club. The Keystone Beach on Lake Geneva has bathhouses and shaded picnic tables, BBQ grills, volleyball net, and playgrounds. The Pavilion is the venue for the Summer Concert and people rent it for parties too. A unique community project, Project Play or The Geneva Jungle is a 5,200 square feet wood playground built by volunteers in 5 days. The many lakes have boating and fishing facilities.
The Keystone Heights Theme Park is a popular recreation spot with a tiny tot play area, picnic tables, tennis, and basketball courts. Theme Park is also the home of the Keystone Branch Clay County Library. The Fourth of July celebrations at the park include Arts & Crafts display, baby crawl and a parade and live entertainment. The celebrations culminate with ending with fireworks at dusk
Keystone Airpark, constructed in 1942 as Crystal Lake Airfield was acquired by the city in1947. The Airpark Authority leases a large wild life area to a Sportsmen’s Club. There is also a large Industrial Park for light commercial and industrial development for Clay and Bradford Counties. Keystone Airpark International Aerobatic Club promotes safe aerobatics flying globally and hosts the annual North Florida Aerobatic Contest. Watch thrilling high-flying feats and death-defying stunts at this show.