Inverness Florida

Inverness Courthouse

The city of Inverness, Florida was originally named Tompkinsville. Settlement of the area dates back to 1868. A. D. Tompkins, later known as Uncle Alf, started the community. To attract newcomers to the town, he established mail service and helped erect the first saw mill in the county. He also gave his brother-in-law, Frank M. Dampier, Sr., a lot to build a store, with Dampier becoming the first merchant in town. Dampier is credited with laying out the town and naming it Tompkinsville.

Not many years later, the town of Tompkinsville was sold to a firm in Jacksonville and the name was changed to Inverness. According to the late historian Mary McRae of Homosassa, Inverness got its name from a lonely Scotsman, far away from his home, who gazed upon the blue waters of the Native American-named Tsala Apopka Lake and thought the area looked like the headlands and lochs of Inverness, Scotland, deserving the name Inverness. Inver is a Gaelic word meaning “mouth of the river”, and through the city flows the River Ness, originating from Loch Ness. Since the city lies at the foot of one of the chain of lakes in Citrus County, Inverness seemed an appropriate name. Per official city documentation, Inverness was incorporated on March 6, 1917.

Over twelve downtown buildings have been recognized by the historic plaque program and are presently active places for business. Central Business Development Grants have helped to retain the historic character of the city. In 1961 the historic courthouse downtown was used to film the courtroom scene of “Follow that Dream” featuring Elvis Presley.

Downtown Inverness Florida

The City has been designated a Gateway Community by the Florida Trail Association. Since 1995, Inverness has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the US Forestry Service. In 2009, Inverness was awarded the national title of “City of the Year” by the Veterans honor organization the Forty & Eight.

The last full weekend in October is reserved for the Great American Cooterfestival, named after the Florida cooter turtle. A family focused event of music, games, crafts and more is held at the adjoining Liberty and Wallace Brooks Parks on Lake Henderson. Since 1971 the first weekend in November marks the Festival of the Arts, a juried fine art show that has grown to include over 100 artists. Inverness Florida is an idyllic place to live.