The design changes for the first time since 1887
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Interlachen seal contest winner Ted Burke and finalist Esme Coward hold their designs in front of Interlachen Town Hall. -
Interlachen's new seal -
Interlachen's old seal -
Positively Putnam FL
INTERLACHEN – Officials chose a new town seal Tuesday night that highlighted the town’s transportation and agricultural histories as well as a hometown hero.
Interlachen Town Council members and Mayor Ken Larsen picked their top three choices from 11 entries.
Interlachen resident and contest winner Ted Burke, an architectural draftsman, grew up in a home adjacent to Interlachen Town Hall. The winning design contains oranges, which are part of the town’s agricultural history. A track cuts through the center of the seal fading into the sunset.
Burke said he tried to capture a space and time when the railroad was prevalent in Interlachen. He said the design is something he can leave behind.
“To me, that’s the most important thing,” Burke said.
Marine and Medal of Honor recipient Robert H. Jenkins’s name is across the top of Burke’s seal. Jenkins died during the Vietnam War when he jumped on a live grenade to save his fellow servicemen.
“I researched Pvt. Jenkins and I was really moved by that story,” Burke said.
Office Clerk Angela Glisson said entries were graded on their depiction of the town’s history and nature in the seal. The old seal – depicting a Roman figure, a plant and an alligator – was designed and adopted by the town in December 1887. Interlachen was incorporated in January 1888.
“We had some wonderful designs and everyone did an awesome job,” Glisson said.
Council Member Carolyn Meadows said updating the original seal is important for the town.
“When we got all these, this was not an easy decision,” Meadows said. “There were great things about each one of them.”
The top two entries tied so council members had to vote again.
Burke’s design will be used for all town documents, emails, websites and other official capacities. Second- and third-place winners received a prize from local businesses.
Entrants had to incorporate “Town of Interlachen,” “Putnam County,” “Florida,” and “Established 1888” or “Est. 1888” on their submissions. The contest began in May.
Esme Coward’s design, which came in second, captured the town’s lakes, tourism and caboose with a ribbon and stars signifying Jenkins’ medals. A Crescent City resident, Coward retired in 2014 after a 36-year teaching career in South Putnam and also interned at Interlachen High School.
She said being named a finalist was an honor.
“I tried to hit on everything they had and the history,” Coward said.
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