I spent the night in the Villages for the first time. I was a little younger than most residents, but I was impressed with the Town Square, the nightly concert, and all the energy.

Spanish Springs Town Square has been hosting free nightly concerts since its opening in 1994. This tradition has become a hallmark of The Villages, bringing residents and visitors together to enjoy live music and dancing every evening. It’s an excellent way to foster community spirit and celebrate the vibrant lifestyle of the area.

Spanish Springs Town Square, the first town square in The Villages, opened in 1994. Its design reflects Spanish and southwestern influences, with adobe-colored buildings, viga-studded walls, and a central gazebo reminiscent of traditional plazas found in Santa Fe. While the square isn’t historic in the sense of being centuries old, it holds a special place as the foundation of The Villages’ community life.

The square offers free nightly entertainment, live music, festivals, and various shopping and dining options. It’s a popular spot for residents and visitors to gather, enjoy outdoor events, and soak in the lively atmosphere.

One notable building is the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, which was initially a church before being transformed into a state-of-the-art theater.

The Villages, Florida, began as a vision of Harold Schwartz in the 1960s. Schwartz initially sold land in the area through mail-order sales, but a federal law in 1968 prohibited this practice. He then shifted gears and, along with his business partner Al Tarrson, developed Orange Blossom Gardens, a mobile home park in northwestern Lake County in the early 1970s.

By the 1980s, Schwartz bought out Tarrson’s interest and brought his son, H. Gary Morse, into the business. Inspired by thriving retirement communities like Del Webb’s Sun City, Morse expanded the community’s amenities, including golf courses and recreation centers, and pursued nearby commercial development. In 1992, the community was officially renamed “The Villages”.
Since then, The Villages has grown into one of the largest master-planned, age-restricted communities in the United States, known for its extensive amenities and vibrant lifestyle. It’s a fascinating story of vision and growth!

Harold Schwartz, the founder of The Villages, was originally from Chicago, Illinois. However, he spent time in Michigan later in life. A life-size statue of Harold Schwartz is located in Spanish Springs Town Square in The Villages. His ashes were interred in the statue’s base after passing in 2003. The statue is a tribute to his vision and contributions to the community.