In the late 1800s, marshlands surrounding an upland area 15 miles west of Palatka were drained to create farmland and attract newcomers, and the community took its name from original resident Flora Sipprell, as local lore held that people were headed for “Flora’s home,” later shortened to Florahome. Transportation in the 1800s centered on the Georgia Southern and Florida Railway, which built a train depot in the middle of the community in 1886, while streets were laid out and many were named for trees and shrubs. The depot stood where Palmetto Avenue crossed the railway, and in 1899 the surrounding acreage was developed into Palmetto Park to encourage families to settle there. By December 1899 Florahome had a post office, by 1914 a school, and by 1918 a population of 160. Between 1901 and 1921 several churches formed and were built in the community. In 1923 the train depot burned down, and because a new highway and vehicular travel ended passenger train service, it was never rebuilt. Along with packing sheds for local agriculture, businesses included general and dry goods stores, a blacksmith, a cobbler, a garage with gas pumps, a tourist court, an ice house, a funeral parlor, and a community center with a small library. A few original houses, a couple of churches, and one business still stand, while other businesses either burned or were torn down over the years, and Palmetto Park remains a place where families and neighbors gather and where Florahome’s past and future meet.