Sumter County

Sumter County was officially founded in 1853, but its history goes back much further than that. Sumter County was named for General Thomas Sumter, a hero of the Revolutionary War. This is fitting because the county has been the primary site for two other wars, the first of which helped make the reputation of another war hero, General Andrew Jackson, and propelled him to the presidency. The area's rich military history defined modern day Sumter County until the end of the 2nd Seminole War in 1842. Since then, the area was primarily an agricultural center until it became a Mecca for retirees looking for an active lifestyle. The Villages now comprises the lion's share of Sumter County's population.