Wellington 55+

Wellington 55+ Communities

There are very few Wellington 55+ Communities, making this an exclusive spot for active adults.  There are over 16,300 people who call the equestrian-focused city of Wellington home.  The southern Florida city is approx 44 square miles in size and officially became an independent municipality on December 31, 1995.  Prior to that, the land was known as the Acme Drainage District.  Once known as the world's largest strawberry patch, today, the city of Wellington is widely considered the winter equestrian capital of the world, hosting the world-famous Winter Equestrian Festival.

Lifestyle

In 1953, there were fewer than 100 residents who called the area home.  Since then, the exponential growth has been tremendous. The city has become an epicenter for Equestrian sport, attracting athletes from all over the world.  With few active adult communities, Wellington is an up-and-coming hot spot for retirees.  Wellington 55+ communities only account for a handful of the over sixty neighborhoods in the city, featuring rustic ranch estates, Mediterranean mansions, courtyard condominiums, and plantation pool homes.  Many of the homes have 10 or more acres, with equestrian facilities, and tropical fruit farms.  Wellington is home to the Peaceful Waters Sanctuary, just one of the numerous preserves and parks, where residents can explore the marsh ecosystem of the Everglades.  The Village of Wellington offers a plethora of programs, classes, activities, and events.  Wellington has a highly regarded school district, and the city is incredibly community-driven, hosting an annual "Wellington Hero" spotlighting residents doing great things.

History

The origins of this world-renowned city began in 1951 when Charles Oliver Wellington purchased the 18,000 acres of land by recommendation of Bink Glisson.  Those 1,8000 acres today are the site of the city of Wellington.  Mr. Wellington was a Harvard-educated, Massachusetts-born accountant and aviator, who made his way to Florida by way of New York.  He deemed the land west of US 441, and south of Southern blvd the "Flying Cow Ranch".  The name was inspired by Mr. Wellington's aviation pursuits and his initials, C-O-W.  The intent was to farm the land, however, due to the massive flooding on the southwestern borders of the Everglades, the land was not cooperating.  In 1953, legislation was passed by the State of Florida to create the "Acme Drainage District".  This provided flood control and drainage, allowing 16,000 acres of the land to go from wetlands to fertile, ready to farm, in no time at all.  The land was sold and leased to farmers, plus 2,000 acres of it was tilled for strawberry fields-  hence the reputation as "the world's largest strawberry patch".

Mr. Glisson was hired as the general manager and is considered the district's first employee, serving for 40 years.  Mr. Wellington served as 1st chairman of the district, until his passing in 1959.  His son, Roger Wellington, also a Harvard-educated accountant, took over the 1st chair.  In the 1960s development started to carve the Wellington we know today.  Flying Cow Ranch broke off into parts that were sold or leased.  In 1971, Jim Nall, part of the Investment Corporation of Florida, purchased 7,000 acres of land.  Investment Corporation of Florida got together with Alcoa Aluminum, the two together started to buy and develop the land.  Within a short period of time, hundreds of homes began selling.  In 1976, Alcoa sells its interest back to the Investment Corporation of Florida.

Now, here comes Gould Florida, an electronic corporation of Gould Inc.  They buy out ICOF's remaining property, and so comes one of the most influential moments in the history of the city we know today.  Gould Inc. brought with them, chairman William Yilvisaker, a polo player and enthusiast.  In 1978, Mr. Yilvisaker builds the pristine Palm Beach Polo Golf & Country Club, now a staple of Wellington.  By the mid-1990s, a group of residents rocked some boats and worked hard towards independence for Wellington.  They were successful and on December 31, 1995, the city of Wellington officially became an independent municipality.