Uncover the Mystery of Florida’s Lost Town of Ethel – *FREE EVENT*

Step back in time at Gallery CERO at Wekiva Island for a captivating evening with award-winning author, historian, and Florida Master Naturalist Don Philpott as he shares the incredible true story behind his book, The Lost Town of Ethel.

Presented as part of An American Tapestry, Gallery CERO’s signature exhibition celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, this fascinating presentation explores one of Central Florida’s most intriguing forgotten communities—a town that once thrived in the wilderness surrounding Rock Springs before fading into history.

As part of the experience, guests will have the unique opportunity to step inside Gallery CERO’s replica of an original cabin from the Town of Ethel, offering a rare glimpse into the simple frontier lifestyle of the families who once called this community home. The cabin brings the story to life, allowing visitors to connect with Ethel’s history in a truly immersive way.

Journey to the mid-1800s, when pioneers carved out a life in the untamed Florida frontier. Through the stories of William Delk, who established a vast plantation at Rock Springs, and Anthony Frazier, a formerly enslaved man who fought for the Union during the Civil War before becoming a successful landowner and respected public servant, Don reveals a remarkable chapter of Florida history filled with resilience, courage, hardship, and hope.

Once a bustling whistle-stop along the Sanford & Lake Eustis Railway, Ethel was a community where determination and opportunity met on the edge of the frontier. Though the town disappeared by the early 1900s, its stories continue to echo through the forests and springs that now make up Rock Springs Run Reserve.

More than the story of a lost town, The Lost Town of Ethel is a window into the lives of the men and women who helped shape Central Florida during a transformative period in American history. Their experiences remind us that even places that have vanished from the map leave an enduring mark on our nation’s story.

Following the presentation, guests will have the opportunity to meet Don, ask questions, and purchase a signed copy of The Lost Town of Ethel. It’s a unique chance to own a piece of local history and have it personally inscribed by the author.

Come discover the forgotten town, explore a replica of one of its original cabins, and experience the unforgettable stories that remain woven into America’s tapestry.