History

Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center property was part of 3,000 acres owned by Dr. Melvil Dewey, originator of the Dewey Decimal System used by libraries for more than a century. Dr. Dewey built his winter home and guest lodges on the site in the 1920's. Many famous people traveled to this beautiful resort to get out of winter weather and to enjoy Dewey's spectacular hospitality. The list of famous guests includes the Churchill's, Ford's, Hughes', Dupont's and several movie stars and politician. The two mansions, called Lil Loj and Live Oak, remain today as the center of the exiciting resort. After Dewey's death in 1935, the site became a resort known as Southwinds and continued on for several years. In 1997 the Southern Florida District Church of the Nazarene acquired the center. Over the past years many new building have been built to host over 17 thousand guests per year. The center is open all year and can host up to 550 at a time. LPCCC is honored to continue Dr. Dewey's grand dream and vision for this jewel called Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center.

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