Streets Layout
The streets of Sanford basically follow a grid pattern, with the major arteries corresponding with the many highways that pass through the town and the Downtown district area.
The angular and unsystematic placement of the streets in the eastern portion of the district is caused by the paths and crossings of the extensive railroad track system of the Atlantic, Southern and Seaboard Coast lines. The railroad tracks also serve as a natural division between the old and new sections of the downtown area, having served to develop the town in its early history and playing an important role even in today's situation as an active rail center.
Some major streets running perpendicular to the tracks change names after crossing over into the older area-Carthage becomes Charlotte and Wicker becomes Mclver.
The streets of the district are nearly all bordered with small holly trees, the result of a downtown development plan suggestion by Odell and Associates consulting firm in 1976.
Railroad Track System Impact
The angular and unsystematic placement of the streets in the eastern portion of the district is caused by the paths and crossings of the extensive railroad track system of the Atlantic, Southern and Seaboard Coast lines. The railroad tracks also serve as a natural division between the old and new sections of the downtown area, having served to develop the town in its early history and playing an important role even in today's situation as an active rail center. Some major streets running perpendicular to the tracks change names after crossing over into the older area-Carthage becomes Charlotte and Wicker becomes Mclver.