Originally developed in the 1970s by Killearn Properties' J.T. Williams and bought out in January 1994 by Capital First Inc., 4,000-acre Killearn Lakes Plantation northwest of Thomasville and Bannerman roads has an estimated 2,600 homeowners, 400 houses presently under construction and about 450 lots still to go.

"It's a little city, a little country," says Tracy Boyce, rejoicing at the abundance of oaks, pines, dogwoods and wild azaleas that surround her home on aptly named Minnow Creek Drive. "If you look around, you can definitely see it was once part of a real plantation. For us, it's truly awesome."

No longer a long day's mule ride away
Centrally located in antebellum Leon County's fabled cotton kingdom that once ran along the south shore of Lake Iamonia, Evergreen Plantation by the turn of the century sat squarely among the 10,000 acres owned by Philadelphia railroad, steamship and oil magnate Clement Griscom. Eventually, Griscom carved 25 miles of dirt drives into the woods and built a horseshoe-shaped house with a 700-foot piazza on the lake.

Before Williams came along, wealthy socialites including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor came to visit and shoot quail on Mrs. George F. Baker's Horseshoe Plantation (named after the horseshoe-shaped cove in the southeast end of Lake Iamonia), as well as at Luna and Water Oak, the adjoining plantations owned by Griscom's son Lloyd C. and daughter "Miss" Frances.

For many years, Tallahassee was a long day's mule ride away, recalls historian Cliff Paisley. Lately, though, the city is spreading its wings. Bruno's on Thomasville Road is only a short drive away, say several Evergreen Plantation residents.

Long drive doesn't deter area's residents
"It's just great," says Sanders. "We can go for walks together without fear of being run over. And everybody takes care of their yards. The kids even look forward to school. It's only two minutes away."

Sander's children attend Killearn Lakes Elementary School. The area also is zoned for Deer Lake Middle School and Chiles High School.

Lots of trees and lots of children
Trees were the selling point for their decision to choose Evergreen Plantation, Devore says. "We were careful to mark each one for the builders," she says. With two growing boys, the 1,312-square-foot house can seem a mite squeezed at times. "But it has a very open central living area," she says. "And a nice kitchen. I can look out and see the kids easy."

Kids are a common sight in this end of Killearn Lakes. Tracy Boyce says that her three -- Adieren, 10, John, 6 and Aliff, 19 months -- enjoy playing in their fenced back yard or at Tekesta Park. They also look forward to the annual Easter Egg Hunt and fall picnic sponsored by the neighborhood association. "We'll have a clown, space walk and lots of door prizes for the picnic," says Devore. "And fireworks on the Fourth of July."

At least once a year, Boyce says, her neighbors gather for a block party. Otherwise, just about everyone shares the same pride of ownership that's reflected in their neatly kept yards and streets.