The Story of Maytown, Florida: A Forgotten Crossroads in Central Florida

Maytown, Florida, is a name that echoes quietly through the pine flatwoods and marshes of southern Volusia County. Though little remains of this once-bustling community, Maytown’s story is woven into the fabric of Central Florida’s railroad era, wild landscapes, and the spirit of exploration that defined the region’s early days.

The Railroad Crossroads

Maytown sprang to life in the early 1900s at the intersection of two major railroad lines: the Florida East Coast Railway and the Enterprise Branch of the Atlantic Coast Line. For a time, the town was a vital hub—trains stopped here, goods were loaded, and people passed through on their way to the coast or the interior. A post office, general store, and small cluster of homes made Maytown a lively spot in an otherwise wild landscape.

Decline and Disappearance

As highways replaced railroads and the trains stopped coming, Maytown’s importance faded. The post office closed, the tracks were abandoned, and the town slowly returned to nature. Today, the area is best known for the Maytown Trailhead, a gateway to the East Central Regional Rail Trail, where cyclists and hikers follow the old railroad routes through forests and wetlands.

Modern Maytown: Nature’s Comeback

• Outdoor Adventure: The East Central Regional Rail Trail draws outdoor lovers to Maytown’s peaceful woods and wetlands, offering miles of scenic paths for biking, walking, and birdwatching.
• Echoes of the Past: While the town itself has all but vanished, the spirit of Maytown lives on in the stories of railroad days and the quiet beauty of the surrounding landscape.
• Wild Florida: Maytown’s remote setting makes it a haven for wildlife, from deer and turkeys to the calls of sandhill cranes echoing across the open fields.

Maytown, Florida, may be a forgotten crossroads, but its legacy endures in the trails, wild spaces, and memories of a time when the trains were the lifeblood of Central Florida. For those who visit today, it’s a place to discover both history and the untamed beauty of the region.