The following is a list of county roads in
Citrus County, Florida
Citrus County is a county located on the west central coast of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 153,843. Its county seat is Inverness, and its largest community is Homosassa Springs.
Citrus County comprise ...
. All county roads are maintained by the county in which they reside.
County Road 39
County Road 39 is a tri-county continuation of the former
SR 39[General Highway Map, Citrus County, June 1969, reprinted June 1979] in Citrus County, however the designation exists in two sections; One in southeastern Citrus, and another in northern Citrus County.
The first section of County Road 39 enters
Pineola from
Istachatta at the Hernando-Citrus County Line, where it resumes its designation as County Road 39 from
County Road 439 (Hernando County, Florida)
State Road 39 (SR 39) is a north–south state highway in eastern Pasco and Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. Between Plant City and Zephyrhills, the road is named Paul S. Buchman Highway. North of Zephyrhills, Florida the road is ...
. The road is named South Istachatta Road and it winds along the
Withlacoochee State Trail
Withlacoochee State Trail is a long paved, multi-use, non-motorized rail trail in Florida located in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. It follows along the Withlacoochee River and passes through the Withlacoochee State Forest. It is the ...
, but eventually the trail moves to the northwest. After running across Bradley Lake, it finally terminates at
County Road 48. The journey of former SR 39 does not end there though, as it secretly overlaps westbound along CR 48 towards
Floral City. North of Floral City, former SR 39 runs along Old Floral City Avenue, where it runs along the Withlacoochee State Trail past County Road 39A (''see below''), and
Fort Cooper State Park
Fort Cooper State Park is a 710-acre historic site in Inverness, Florida, United States. It is located two miles (3 km) south of Inverness, off of U.S. Hwy. 41 on South Old Floral City Road. On June 13, 1972, it was added to the United Sta ...
, before entering
Inverness South.
[Printable Black and White Trail Map (Rails to Trails of the Withlacoochee, Incorporated)](_blank)
The second section exists between
State Road 200 in Stoke's Ferry and
US 41
U.S. Route 41, also U.S. Highway 41 (US 41), is a major north–south United States Numbered Highway that runs from Miami, Florida, to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, ...
south of
Citrus Springs
Citrus Springs is a census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 8,622 as of the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census, up from 4,157 in 2000.
Geography
Citrus Springs is loc ...
, County Road 39 winds along the south side of the
Withlacoochee River as the Withlacoochee Trail which is not to be confused with the Withlacoochee State Trail.
County Road 39A
County Road 39A, is a suffixed alternate of CR 39. It runs west to east from
US 41
U.S. Route 41, also U.S. Highway 41 (US 41), is a major north–south United States Numbered Highway that runs from Miami, Florida, to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, ...
north of
Floral City, where it crosses the
Withlacoochee State Trail
Withlacoochee State Trail is a long paved, multi-use, non-motorized rail trail in Florida located in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. It follows along the Withlacoochee River and passes through the Withlacoochee State Forest. It is the ...
, then former County Road 39 (Old Floral City Avenue)
before finally ending within the Withlapopka Islands. Just as CR 39 was a former segment of SR 39, CR 39A was formerly designated as
SR 39A.
County Road 44W
County Road 44 (often marked as County Road 44W) exists as the western tip of old
Florida State Road 44 south of "downtown" Crystal River. The suffix, "W", was most likely added to not confuse this section with State Road 44, to the north, and to show its location by being west of
US 19
U.S. Route 19 (US 19) is a north–south U.S. Highway in the Eastern United States. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul road, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie.
The highway's southern ...
and
US 98(
SR 55). As with the majority of these type of 'coastal spur' routes, in West Central Florida, it is county maintained.
County Road 48
County Road 48 is a former segment of
Florida State Road 48
State Road 48 (SR 48) was an east–west state highway that ran from U.S. Highway 41 in Floral City, Florida, to Florida State Road 19 in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida. In the last years of the route's existence, it was a state road in Bus ...
.
It runs from
US 41 in
Floral City. Within Floral City itself, it is called East Orange Avenue, and passes through the
Floral City Historic District, while east of the city it is known as East Bushnell Road. The road runs through the farmlands and wooded wetlands of southeastern Citrus County before approaching the bridge over
Withlacoochee River where it continues as
Sumter County Road 48 winding through southwestern Sumter County through Wahoo, later passing through Bushnell, then heads toward Center Hill and Howey-in-the Hills.
County Road 470
County Road 470 runs along North Apopka Avenue and East Gospel Island Trail in
Inverness
Inverness (; from the gd, Inbhir Nis , meaning "Mouth of the River Ness"; sco, Innerness) is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for The Highland Council and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands. Histori ...
and points east. It runs east and west from
US 41
U.S. Route 41, also U.S. Highway 41 (US 41), is a major north–south United States Numbered Highway that runs from Miami, Florida, to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, ...
–
SR 44 in Inverness into SR 44 east of the Inverness city limits. The route was formerly designated as
SR 470.
Though another
CR 470 exists in nearby Sumter County, little evidence of a connection between the two roads exists.
Route description
Citrus County Road 470 begins on North Apopka Avenue at US 41-SR 44 across from South Apopka Avenue and around the southeast and northeast corners of the historic
Old Citrus County Courthouse
The Old Citrus County Courthouse (constructed in 1912) is a historic site in Inverness, Florida located at 1 Courthouse Square. On April 17, 1992, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The building was designed by J. R. ...
. Almost immediately after the old courthouse it runs past the existing Citrus County Courthouse, as well as other municipal buildings, then the former
Seaboard Air Line Railroad
The Seaboard Air Line Railroad , which styled itself "The Route of Courteous Service," was an American railroad which existed from April 14, 1900, until July 1, 1967, when it merged with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, its longtime rival, t ...
station that's now a law office, and the former
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad was a United States Class I railroad formed in 1900, though predecessor railroads had used the ACL brand since 1871. In 1967 it merged with long-time rival Seaboard Air Line Railroad to form the Seaboard Coast L ...
station that's a closed former station restaurant on the southeast corner of the grade crossing of the
Withlacoochee State Trail
Withlacoochee State Trail is a long paved, multi-use, non-motorized rail trail in Florida located in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. It follows along the Withlacoochee River and passes through the Withlacoochee State Forest. It is the ...
.
On the southwest corner of the trail crossing is a local road leading to the Inverness Trailhead, and a bicycle shop that rents bikes for trail users and other customers. The northwest and northeast corners of the trail crossing is strictly city parkland.
Before North Apopka Avenue continues to the boat ramp named for the street, CR 470 leaves to the northeast at East Vine Street, and eventually turns onto East Gospel Island Trail, where it immediately crosses the Franklin Hair Bridge to reach the island the road was named after. Most of the surroundings are either residential or wetlands, with the occasional bed and breakfast. From South Gospel Oaks Terrace and East Allen Drive to East Oak Isle Drive, the road curves from northeast to north then curves around Fred's Lake, and turns east again.
The route doesn't leave the island until the bridge east of North Shadow Wood Drive, and then curves slightly to the northeast. Here the road passes neighborhoods such as Harbor Point and dips before approaching Barnette Estates, just before encountering a wye intersection with South Sunset Terrace, the first entrance to the Point O' Woods Community. After curving to the southeast, two nearly identical gateways can be found at both ends of East Crescent Drive which has the Point O' Woods Clubhouse between the two ends. A left-turn lane for South Golf Harbor Path can be found as the road turns south, because this road leads to "The Moorings at Point O' Woods" community, and the Point O' Woods Golf Course.
After this turn the road encounters parallel intersections with East Southgate Drive and East Peachtree Lane, and after this on the opposite side, the intersection with East Goldfinch Lane in the Twin Lakes neighborhood. After two more dead end streets to the east, Citrus County Road 470 curves around one more lake and passes three more side streets before it ends at
SR 44 next to a Speedway gas station and convenience store previously used by Hess, somewhere east of Inverness.
County Road 480
County Road 480 runs through five roads in southern Citrus County. It runs east and west from the
Chassahowitzka River in Chassahowitzka into
Withlacoochee State Forest
The Withlacoochee State Forest is in the western central part in the U.S. state of Florida, near Lecanto, Inverness, Floral City, Brooksville, Ridge Manor, and Dade City. The forest was named for the Withlacoochee River, which passes thr ...
, to
US 41
U.S. Route 41, also U.S. Highway 41 (US 41), is a major north–south United States Numbered Highway that runs from Miami, Florida, to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, ...
south of Floral City. The road was previously signed as
SR 480.
Though another
CR 480 exists in nearby Hernando County, Citrus CR 480 has no connection to that route.
Route description
Citrus County Road 480 officially begins at the Chassahowitzka River County Park Boat Ramp along the south side of the river at the western end of West Miss Maggie Drive. It runs from north to south and then turns north again at South McClung Loop which runs south, and Simril Court, which runs east into Betty Long's Campground. West Miss Maggie Drive curves back to the northeast one block later, and follows the southern shores of the Chassahowitzka River wetlands. 0.1 of a mile east of West Lykes Trail, the road makes a slight curve to the left, but still continues to run northeast and southwest. West Miss Maggie Drive ends at the southern terminus of the overlap between
US 19
U.S. Route 19 (US 19) is a north–south U.S. Highway in the Eastern United States. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul road, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie.
The highway's southern ...
–
98, but US 98 briefly overlaps CR 480 along West Ponce De Leon Drive (formerly West Lecanto Highway), before it branches off to the northeast at West Oak Park Boulevard, while US 98 runs southeast towards Brooksville, Lakeland, and Palm Beach. The road curves to the right at a former segment of the road, now named West Oak Park Lane, which leads to the back of a shopping center today. From here, CR 480 runs through southern segments of
Sugarmill Woods curving slightly to the northeast and then to the southeast. After the intersection of Oak Village Boulevard and Cypress Boulevard East, the route runs under a medium-width power line right-of-way along South Richtop Terrace and a fire house on the southeast corner of that right-of-way. Later it runs along the southern edge of the Southern Woods Golf Club before encountering a much wider power line right-of-way, then enters the Citrus Tract of the
Withlacoochee State Forest
The Withlacoochee State Forest is in the western central part in the U.S. state of Florida, near Lecanto, Inverness, Floral City, Brooksville, Ridge Manor, and Dade City. The forest was named for the Withlacoochee River, which passes thr ...
, part of which will include a bridge for the
Suncoast Parkway Suncoast may refer to:
* Florida Suncoast, a 1980s marketing term for peninsular (non-panhandle) Florida's Gulf of Mexico coastal counties
** Florida Suncoast Dome, the original name of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida
** Suncoast Center, ...
with no access. Along the way, the road makes sharper curves towards the southeast. Leaving the forest, the road is surrounded by some local ranchland, and after running over a cattle trail tunnel, begins to curve straight east as it passes the Meadow Run Estate. CR 480 skirts the southern border of
Oak Grove where it intersects
CR 491 and the street name changes to West Stage Coach Trail, and re-enters the Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest. Briefly, however some private farmland can be found on the north side of the CR 480, before it enters the thick of the forest.
Around the vicinity of South Brittle Road, West Stage Coach Trail becomes East Stage Coach Trail, and runs through the ghost town of Stage Pond where it passes by the surviving Stage Pond Cemetery. The road curves to the southeast as it leaves the forest again and curves straight east as it passes through more local ranch land. It then descends into the woods, but climbs another hill between South Portage Point, and South Old Jones Road, before going downhill once again. Between South Running Deer Point and South Storrey Mine Road, the road runs through a former
Seaboard Air Line Railroad
The Seaboard Air Line Railroad , which styled itself "The Route of Courteous Service," was an American railroad which existed from April 14, 1900, until July 1, 1967, when it merged with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, its longtime rival, t ...
line between
Brooksville and Inverness, which can be spotted when the pavement fades and markings for the former crossing are exposed within the pavement. County Road 480 has a brief concurrency with
County Road 581 (South Pleasant Grove Road), and then East Stage Coach Trail branches off to the northeast, although aerial views suggest a former alignment of this segment continuing southwest toward the section west of CR 581. With some exceptions, the road is primarily flanked by ranchland on the north side, and wooded areas on the south side with both public and private dead end streets, and large radio tower on the southeast side. Some ranchland opens up on the southeast side as the road briefly runs straight east and west for the last time, and more forestland is found on the north, eventually moving on both sides. The road curves slightly to the right at the intersection of South Meredith Avenue, and then curves back to the northeast before it approaches South Zanmar Drive. After crossing one last power line, County Road 480 ends at
US 41
U.S. Route 41, also U.S. Highway 41 (US 41), is a major north–south United States Numbered Highway that runs from Miami, Florida, to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, ...
south of
Floral City, with turning ramps on the northwest and southwest corners of the intersection.
County Road 482
County Road 482 runs exclusively along West Cardinal Street from US 19/98 in Homosassa to Citrus CR 491 (Lecanto Highway) near the site of the ghost town of
Mannfield. It was designated during the construction of the
Suncoast Parkway Extension.
County Road 486
County Road 486 runs entirely along West Norvelle Bryant Highway. It runs west to east from
SR 44 east of Crystal River into
US 41
U.S. Route 41, also U.S. Highway 41 (US 41), is a major north–south United States Numbered Highway that runs from Miami, Florida, to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, ...
in Hernando, just south of the southern terminus of
SR 200. The route was once former
SR 486.
County Road 486 is four lanes wide, and almost entirely a divided highway, that is flanked by a parallel bicycle path on the south side.
Route description
Citrus County Road 486 begins at
SR 44 across from the intersection of North Dunkenfield Avenue. The road passes by some local residencies and businesses until it reaches a moderately wide power Line Right-of-Way, and then the western terminus of West Pine Ridge Boulevard, the western gateway to
Pine Ridge. The opposite side of the road is a large ranch field. Somewhere within this vicinity is the proposed right of way for the Citrus County extension of the
Suncoast Parkway Suncoast may refer to:
* Florida Suncoast, a 1980s marketing term for peninsular (non-panhandle) Florida's Gulf of Mexico coastal counties
** Florida Suncoast Dome, the original name of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida
** Suncoast Center, ...
which will have no interchanges with CR 486 once it is constructed. The first street that passes for a major intersection along CR 486 in
County Road 491 (Lecanto Highway). After this, the road briefly climbs a hill until it reaches North Crooked Branch Drive. Between the Oak Hill Estates and Timberline Estates neighborhoods, CR 486 makes a slight northeast reverse curve before entering
Citrus Hills where it encounters the intersection with North Forest Ridge Boulevard and North Terra Vista Boulevard, the former of which is the southern gateway to
Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. A notable and historic suburb of Greater Los Angeles, it is in a wealthy area immediately southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Bev ...
, and the latter of which leads to the Terra Vista neighborhood. Along the way, the road passes the Heritage Oaks neighborhood, and then at North Essex Avenue, West Norvelle Bryant Highway becomes ''East'' Norvelle Bryant Highway. The first intersection along East Norvelle Bryant Highway is the gateway to The Villages of Citrus Hills, but only after passing a nearby hotel on the south side of the road.
The divider ends momentarily at North Annapolis Avenue, and at North Trucks Avenue the road makes a slight reverse curve to the south and then east, which ends at some farmland where the divider begins again, and a steep climb is in store for the bike path that ends at Thatcher Terrace. At some point it enters
Hernando, where it crosses a small power line right-of-way before the intersection with the northern terminus of North Croft Avenue and then has another intersection with the driveway to Hernando Elementary School Later it also by the former home of the
Ted Williams Museum
Tropicana Field (commonly known as the Trop) is a multi-purpose domed stadium located in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States. The stadium has been the home of the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB) since the team's inaugural seaso ...
. At the intersection of North Railroad Way, the route crosses the
Withlacoochee State Trail
Withlacoochee State Trail is a long paved, multi-use, non-motorized rail trail in Florida located in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. It follows along the Withlacoochee River and passes through the Withlacoochee State Forest. It is the ...
, which was realigned one block west when CR 486 was being widened to four lanes, and overlaps the bike path along the south side of the route. It also includes a trailhead on the north side east of Railroad Avenue. Citrus County Road 486 and East Norvelle Bryant Highway both end at
US 41
U.S. Route 41, also U.S. Highway 41 (US 41), is a major north–south United States Numbered Highway that runs from Miami, Florida, to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, ...
, however the same intersection continues as a local road named East Parsons Point Road which becomes a dirt road east of North Wheaton Point Drive, and ends at another dirt road named North Reba Path, which is a dead end street in both directions.
County Road 488
County Road 488 runs entirely along West Dunnellon Road in northern Citrus County. It runs west to east from
US 19
U.S. Route 19 (US 19) is a north–south U.S. Highway in the Eastern United States. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul road, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie.
The highway's southern ...
–
98 in
Red Level northeast to
US 41
U.S. Route 41, also U.S. Highway 41 (US 41), is a major north–south United States Numbered Highway that runs from Miami, Florida, to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, ...
in Citrus Springs. The route was former designated as
SR 488.
County Road 490
County Road 490 runs through southwestern Citrus County. It runs west to east from the
Homosassa River
Homosassa River is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map , accessed April 18, 2011 river in Citrus County, Florida, in the western part of the state. Its headwaters are the Homosassa ...
in
Homosassa
Homosassa is a census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,578 at the 2010 census.
History
Homosassa is derived from a Seminole Indian name meaning either "river of fishes ...
to
SR 44 in
Lecanto
Lecanto is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 5,882, up from 5,161 in 2000. It is home to several county government facilities such ...
west of
CR 491. The road was formerly designated as
SR 490,
and contains a hidden overlap with
US 19
U.S. Route 19 (US 19) is a north–south U.S. Highway in the Eastern United States. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul road, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie.
The highway's southern ...
–
98.
Route description
County Road 490 officially begins at the Duncan J. McRae Public Boat Ramp along the Homossassa River at the northwest end of South Cherokee Way. At the Homosassa Elementary School, the route shifts to West Yulee Drive and runs east, as it is intended to. Along this segment the route runs through "downtown" Homosassa. Briefly curving to the north at West Central Street and then northeast, it passes through the
Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park
Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park is a Florida State Park located in Homosassa, off U.S. 19. It contains the ruins of a forced-labor farm owned by David Levy Yulee. Yulee was an enslaver and a delegate of the Florida Territorial Legi ...
. The road almost continues to the northeast along West Fishbowl Drive, but then moves to the east again, and curves through the woodlands centered around the sugar mill.
Taking a northeast turn, it branches off to the left at West Bradshaw Street, which curves to the southeast ending at
US 19
U.S. Route 19 (US 19) is a north–south U.S. Highway in the Eastern United States. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul road, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie.
The highway's southern ...
–
98 (Suncoast Boulevard). West Yulee Drive also ends at US 19–98, but CR 490 joins the two US routes in a northbound overlap. US 19/98/CR 490 passes by the
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is located near Homosassa Springs, Florida, in the United States. The park is one of the notable locations in the state to view manatees. Visitors can get close to the animals on a floating observatory. Bl ...
, and then encounters an intersection with both CR 490A (''See below''), and West Grover Cleveland Boulevard. Two blocks later, the route branches off on its own again at West Homosassa Trail, which begins west of the intersection at a dead end street between a pair of shopping centers.
As West Homossassa Trial CR 490 runs straight east for two blocks and then turns northeast as it winds around a local park, then a Citrus County Firehouse, and then between another park and a
Lion's Club meeting hall before turning northeast again. This segment is generally rural with random residencies and local businesses lining the road, which curves east just before the intersection with a dirt road named North MacArthur Terrace, and maintains the same sporadic houses and businesses as before. The road curves northeast again and climbs a hill as it intersects South Coleman Avenue while doing so. From there it remains entirely undeveloped until it reaches a signalized intersection with South Rock Crusher Road.
Aside from entrances to trailer parks and deed restricted communities, most of the structures along this often hilly segment of CR 490 consist of local businesses, billboards, and churches. Otherwise the land is strictly barren forest. East of South Gleneagle Terrace is an eastbound driveway to a power substation, and then a power line right-of-way running directly north and south, which is also next to the right-of-way for a future extension of the
Suncoast Parkway Suncoast may refer to:
* Florida Suncoast, a 1980s marketing term for peninsular (non-panhandle) Florida's Gulf of Mexico coastal counties
** Florida Suncoast Dome, the original name of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida
** Suncoast Center, ...
. A much wider power line right-of-way can be found further east, and after this an ambulance garage for the Nature Coast EMS. Citrus County Road 490 finally ends at
SR 44 in
Lecanto
Lecanto is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 5,882, up from 5,161 in 2000. It is home to several county government facilities such ...
at a point along that route where it runs from southeast to east.
County Road 490A
County Road 490A is a suffixed alternate route of CR 490. It runs west to east as West Halls River Road from the
Homosassa River
Homosassa River is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map , accessed April 18, 2011 river in Citrus County, Florida, in the western part of the state. Its headwaters are the Homosassa ...
in
Homosassa
Homosassa is a census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,578 at the 2010 census.
History
Homosassa is derived from a Seminole Indian name meaning either "river of fishes ...
to
US 19
U.S. Route 19 (US 19) is a north–south U.S. Highway in the Eastern United States. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul road, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie.
The highway's southern ...
–
98–
CR 490 in
Homosassa Springs. The route was formerly designated as
SR 490A.
East of US 19-98 the road continues as Grover Cleveland Boulevard and runs to CR 491 in Lecanto.
County Road 491
County Road 491 is Lecanto Highway, a bi-county south to north road that begins at the Hernando-Citrus County Line in
Oak Grove near the
Withlacoochee State Forest
The Withlacoochee State Forest is in the western central part in the U.S. state of Florida, near Lecanto, Inverness, Floral City, Brooksville, Ridge Manor, and Dade City. The forest was named for the Withlacoochee River, which passes thr ...
, and ends at
SR 200 in Stoke's Ferry, just south of the intersection with the northern segment of CR 39. It was formerly designated as
SR 491.
[General Highway Map, Hernando County, December 1974, reprinted January 1979.]
Route description
CR 491 continues from the Hernando-Citrus County Line where the name changes from
Citrus Way to Lecanto Highway. The first intersection is a local dirt road named Honeybee Lane, which is dwarfed by the later intersection with
County Road 480 (West Stage Coach Road). Immediately a sign can be seen indicating the route's entry to Oak Grove, which is flanked mostly by farm and ranch land on the west side with the occasional private road intersection, and random houses in the woods that give way to land owned by the
Withlacoochee State Forest
The Withlacoochee State Forest is in the western central part in the U.S. state of Florida, near Lecanto, Inverness, Floral City, Brooksville, Ridge Manor, and Dade City. The forest was named for the Withlacoochee River, which passes thr ...
on the east side. Throughout this area, the road climbs a series of hills. One brief opening of ranch land on the east side appears suddenly followed by a WSF trailhead, which is found on the west side of the road for a change. The route leaves Oak Grove just north of that trailhead. After the eastern terminus of Cardinal Lane the road makes a reverse curve to the right and passes an dirt road named for the nearby ghost town of
Mannsfield, which is located somewhere in the forest. Right after West Noble Street, the route makes a sharp turn to the northwest at Trail 17. State forest territory exists on both sides of the road at this point, and has since the intersection with Noble Street. The road leaves the forest at a firehouse on the south side, as it enters
the community it was named for, then starts to curve as it passes the entrance to the Lesiure Acres Community, and then a dirt road named Halo Hills Road, before finally runs back north and widens to a four-lane undivided highway just before approaching the eastern terminus of Grover Cleveland Boulevard. From there the road passes the Citrus Campus of the
Central Florida Community College
The College of Central Florida (CF) is a public college with campuses in Marion, Citrus, and Levy counties. It is part of the Florida College System. Founded in 1957 as Central Florida Junior College, CF has grown to span three counties and inc ...
, and a local business before a signalized intersection with the Crystal River Quarries, and the Lecanto Educational Complex, which includes
Lecanto High School
Lecanto High School is a secondary school in Lecanto, Florida.Lecanto High SchoolOfficial Website It is a public high school in the Citrus County School District. The school covers grades 9-12, with approximately 1740 students and 103 faculty. ...
. The road also passes various government offices, before intersecting with
SR 44. After SR 44, CR 491 narrows down to two lanes and descends into a valley, especially as it approached the road to the Lecanto Post Office.
Just as it approaches a series of medical offices, the road curves to the northwest and then at the County Department of Mosquito Control office, curves to the northeast, where it will stay through much of the county. The road widens once again and this time turns into a divided highwaybefore it approaches
CR 486, also known as West Norvelle Bryant Highway. North of CR 486, Lecanto Highway passes by a
Veterans Administration
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with providing life-long healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 170 VA medical centers a ...
center that was once part of the notorious Brown School The road intersects the gateway to
Black Diamond, and later passes along the northwestern edge of
Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. A notable and historic suburb of Greater Los Angeles, it is in a wealthy area immediately southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Bev ...
. The first major intersection in this community is at West Roosevelt Boulevard and North Modelwood Drive, the former of which is the first gateway through Beverly Hills. The road remains a four-lane divided highway even as it approaches
Pine Ridge at West Pine Ridge Boulevard. The divided highway ends as the road begins to narrow, but not before intersecting the northern terminus of a second Beverly Hill gateway known as Forest Ridge Boulevard. After this, CR 491 finally enters Pine Ridge itself. Throughout the community, the route remains two lanes wide with occasional provisions for left turn lanes, and has a noticeable right-of-way for a potential widening. The road curves slightly to the east before it approaches the south end of North Lecanto Highway, a gateway road to
Citrus Springs
Citrus Springs is a census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 8,622 as of the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census, up from 4,157 in 2000.
Geography
Citrus Springs is loc ...
, then approaches the Sandy Oaks RV Resort near the power line ROW leading from the former
Crystal River 3 Nuclear Power Plant
The Crystal River Nuclear Plant also called the Crystal River 3 Nuclear Power Plant, or simply CR-3, is a closed nuclear power plant located in Crystal River, Florida. The facility is currently being decommissioned and is transitioning to a SAF ...
, and after this the gateway to Central Ridge District Park, before the road turns straight east and enters
Holder, where it passes the
Withlacoochee State Trail
Withlacoochee State Trail is a long paved, multi-use, non-motorized rail trail in Florida located in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. It follows along the Withlacoochee River and passes through the Withlacoochee State Forest. It is the ...
trailheads two blocks before intersecting
US 41
U.S. Route 41, also U.S. Highway 41 (US 41), is a major north–south United States Numbered Highway that runs from Miami, Florida, to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, ...
, which up until the Autumn of 2010 was a blinker-light intersection that was replaced as a normal signalized intersection. East of US 41, Lecanto Highway passes a series of dead end streets, including the entrance to the Quail Run community, and a ranch on the south side before approaching another trailhead within the Two-Mile Prairie Tract of the
Withlacoochee State Forest
The Withlacoochee State Forest is in the western central part in the U.S. state of Florida, near Lecanto, Inverness, Floral City, Brooksville, Ridge Manor, and Dade City. The forest was named for the Withlacoochee River, which passes thr ...
at a former
Seaboard Air Line Railroad
The Seaboard Air Line Railroad , which styled itself "The Route of Courteous Service," was an American railroad which existed from April 14, 1900, until July 1, 1967, when it merged with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, its longtime rival, t ...
line. The road takes a slight curve before approaching the same power lines it crossed west of Holder, and returns to the northeast once again. Between a dirt road named North Clark Point, and a private road named Twelve Oaks Place which leads to a private airport community, the road runs along a raised embankment over a dry lakebed. Citrus County Road 491 finally ends at
SR 200 in Stoke's Ferry just south of the eastern terminus of the northern segment of
Citrus County Road 39.
County Road 494
County Road 494 runs along West Ozello Trail in West Central Citrus County. It runs east and west from Sunny Isles Estates on the
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico ( es, Golfo de México) is an oceanic basin, ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, largely surrounded by the North American continent. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of ...
to
US 19
U.S. Route 19 (US 19) is a north–south U.S. Highway in the Eastern United States. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul road, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie.
The highway's southern ...
–
98 in
Ozello, south of Crystal River. The route was formerly designated as
SR 494.
County Road 495
County Road 495 runs south to north along almost all of North Citrus Avenue. It spans from
US 19
U.S. Route 19 (US 19) is a north–south U.S. Highway in the Eastern United States. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul road, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie.
The highway's southern ...
–
98 in Crystal River to the south shore of
Lake Rousseau
Lake Rousseau is a reservoir on the Withlacoochee River in central Florida, on the boundary of Levy County to the north-west, Marion County to the north-east, and Citrus County to the south. It was created in the early 1900s when the river was ...
in De Rosa. The route was formerly designated
SR 495.
Though another
CR 495 exists in nearby Hernando County, Citrus CR 495 has no connection to that route.
Route description
North Citrus Avenue begins at Northeast 2nd Avenue, but Citrus County Road 495 doesn't begin until the intersection with
US 19
U.S. Route 19 (US 19) is a north–south U.S. Highway in the Eastern United States. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul road, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie.
The highway's southern ...
–
98. This segment contains random tree-lined dividers, and is lined with antique stores, general stores and other local businesses. CR 495 leaves downtown Crystal River north of North Crystal Street, which leads to the former ACL Depot along the Crosstown Trail, two schools a library and
SR 44. The last intersection providing a connection between US 19–98 at Crystal River Mall and SR 44 is a street named Turkey Oak Drive.
North of West Green Bay Lane, the road curves from straight north to northeast. After passing some residential dead end streets it runs under a power line right of way near the site of the proposed interchange with
Suncoast Parkway Suncoast may refer to:
* Florida Suncoast, a 1980s marketing term for peninsular (non-panhandle) Florida's Gulf of Mexico coastal counties
** Florida Suncoast Dome, the original name of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida
** Suncoast Center, ...
. From there it passes through some tree farms, then encounters a grade crossing with a
railroad line
Rail terminology is a form of technical terminology. The difference between the American term ''railroad'' and the international term ''railway'' (used by the International Union of Railways and English-speaking countries outside the United Sta ...
leading to the
Crystal River 3 Nuclear Power Plant
The Crystal River Nuclear Plant also called the Crystal River 3 Nuclear Power Plant, or simply CR-3, is a closed nuclear power plant located in Crystal River, Florida. The facility is currently being decommissioned and is transitioning to a SAF ...
, and a second power line right-of-way right after that.
At some point after West Laura Street, the road enters
Citronelle, runs straight north again, and passes the western terminus of West Dunklin Street, a local road used by schools and a Citrus County Recycling area. Shortly after the intersection with Badger Lane, the road enters De Rosa (or De Rosa Village), yet the rural surroundings remain intact. It passes between two trailer parks and a former Union 76 gas station before the intersection with
Citrus County Road 488, a road spanning from Red Level to Citrus Springs.
The route continues north of CR 488 passing a local bar, a Citrus County fire house, and a small industrial area, but eventually becomes primarily residential, mixed with some sparse farm and ranch land. Curving to the northeast north of West Glendale Court, the road momentarily runs close to
Lake Rousseau
Lake Rousseau is a reservoir on the Withlacoochee River in central Florida, on the boundary of Levy County to the north-west, Marion County to the north-east, and Citrus County to the south. It was created in the early 1900s when the river was ...
, but the view of the water is obstructed by woodlands, and later a farm field. The road serves as the eastern terminus of West Riverbend Road, then the western end of North Wahoo Trail, and is finally reunited with West Riverbend Road once again, where it terminates on the shores of
Lake Rousseau
Lake Rousseau is a reservoir on the Withlacoochee River in central Florida, on the boundary of Levy County to the north-west, Marion County to the north-east, and Citrus County to the south. It was created in the early 1900s when the river was ...
.
County Road 581
County Road 581 is a continuation from
Hernando CR 481 in Lake Lindsey in northern Hernando County. It runs south to north from the Hernando-Citrus County Line to a dead end at the
Withlacoochee River, northeast of Inverness. The route was formerly designated at
SR 581,
and the connection to SR/CR 581 in southern Hernando, Pasco and Hillsborough Counties was severed by the renumbering of Snow Memorial Highway as CR 481.
Route description
Continuing from the Hernando-Citrus County Line in Lake Lindsey,
Hernando CR 481 (Snow Memorial Highway) becomes Citrus County Road 581 and is renamed South Pleasant Grove Road. Like its Hernando County counterpart, it runs through local farm and ranch land with the occasional private dirt road intersection. Unlike that counterpart, the road runs up and down some hillier terrain, which becomes more prominent as the road runs further north. The route has a short overlap with
CR 480, which suddenly branches off to the northeast towards
Floral City. After the Emerald Hills community, the route makes a reverse curve to the right and runs along the east side of the
Withlacoochee State Forest
The Withlacoochee State Forest is in the western central part in the U.S. state of Florida, near Lecanto, Inverness, Floral City, Brooksville, Ridge Manor, and Dade City. The forest was named for the Withlacoochee River, which passes thr ...
, though the east side of the road is also occupied by forest land that's not part of the state forest. Some small businesses begin to pop up on the east side after the intersection with East Amy Lane when the route skirts the western edge of
Inverness Highlands South. North of East Triss Street, the route encounters more local businesses before serving as the location of the Shiridi Sai Hindu Temple, a rare landmark of eastern culture in rural Florida. After crossing a power line right-of-way and the entrance to a state forest fire tower, County Road 581 officially enters the Inverness City Limits, where it encounters the aptly named "Public Works Boulevard" which leads to the Inverness City Department of Public Works building, and then passes by the Pleasant Grove Elementary School, and after this the First Baptist Church of Inverness. Just north of the church, the route intersects East Haven Street and Druid Road, the latter of which leads to a Citrus County Library. State Forest territory officially ends south of the intersection of Kimberly Lane.
At West Main Street the road turns east in a hidden concurrency with
SR 44. SR 44/CR 581 runs along the south side of Whispering Pines Park and passes a series of Citrus County school buildings between South Boulevard and east of South Montgomery Avenue. The overlap with SR 44 ends at Davidson Avenue when CR 581 turns north then crosses
US 41
U.S. Route 41, also U.S. Highway 41 (US 41), is a major north–south United States Numbered Highway that runs from Miami, Florida, to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, ...
, which joins SR 44 in its own overlap one block east. The route runs two blocks to the north then turns east onto Emery Street and turns north one block later onto Ella Avenue. Near the western shores of Henderson Lake, CR 581 curves to the northeast onto East Turner Camp Road, while Ella Avenue becomes a city maintained street, while CR 581 encounters an intersection with the
Withlacoochee State Trail
Withlacoochee State Trail is a long paved, multi-use, non-motorized rail trail in Florida located in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. It follows along the Withlacoochee River and passes through the Withlacoochee State Forest. It is the ...
then curves straight north, only to make a sharp curve to the east at Twin Lake Road and then curves to the north again between East Grain Court and south of East Lakato Lane. The road curves to the northeast again north of North Sherri Lane and remains in that general trajectory throughout much of the remainder of its journey with some occasional exceptions when it briefly turns north. Citrus County Road 581 curves straight east for the last time at the intersections of North Hooty Point Road and North Junglecamp Road before it finally terminates at a dead end on the southwest coast of the
Withlacoochee River, which contains a small dock and boat launching ramp.
Turner Camp Road Public Boat Ramp (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
/ref>
References
FDOT Map of Citrus County
FDOT GIS data
accessed January 2014
{{FLCR
County
A county is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposesChambers Dictionary, L. Brookes (ed.), 2005, Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, Edinburgh in certain modern nations. The term is derived from the Old French ...