architectural value to the town, to the state, and to Lake County,” says Howey-in-theHills Mayor Chris Sears, a fourth-generation Floridian who believes activities at the mansion could be an economic boost to the town and is what William Howey would have wanted. “Mr. Howey brought tourism and agriculture with oranges and real estate. The guy was a visionary long before anybody saw the potential of Florida, so he would want to see the
mansion opened back up and return to its former glory, and it is so exciting for the town, it really is,” says the mayor, who relishes seeing work crews restoring the mansion. “It’s really coming along,” he says. “It is going to be a gem in our town and our county.”
—WILLIAM HOWEY
November 2017
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