The Springs

The Springs traces its roots to the early 1970s, when three natural springs on the western edge of Longwood were purchased and consolidated into a single residential development. One of those springs — originally known as Shepherd's Spring — was renamed Starbuck Spring, and together with the others became the centerpiece of the new community. The Springs Community Homeowners Association was formally established on March 3, 1971, making it one of Seminole County's oldest planned communities. Home construction ran primarily from 1972 through 2002, producing a diverse mix of condominiums, townhomes, and single-family residences by various builders across the community's 400-plus acres.

From the beginning, The Springs was conceived around the idea of preserved natural habitat rather than maximized density. Developers positioned the natural springs as a shared community amenity rather than private estate features, and platted the surrounding woodland as common conservation land adjacent to the Wekiva River Conservation Area. That early planning decision is why The Springs looks and feels fundamentally different from the master-planned communities that came later — the mature oaks, the spring, and the equestrian facilities are all artifacts of a community designed in an era when land was plentiful and conservation was baked in rather than bolted on.

The community's equestrian tradition also dates to the earliest years of development. The western half of the community was laid out with horse owners in mind, including eight turn-out pastures, a stable, and a dedicated riding ring. That infrastructure survives intact today, giving The Springs a character genuinely unlike any other gated community within an hour of Orlando.