Downtown Sebring, which was chartered in 1913, has been designated as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Looking to the future, the Sebring City Council, through special legislation, created the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to spearhead redevelopment in the downtown area. As a result of outstanding efforts by this agency, Sebring was named a "Florida Main Street Community" in 1996 and since that time, nearly $10 million dollars has been reinvested in downtown.

Today, downtown Sebring is an eclectic mix of fashions, accessories, shoes and sportswear shops, boutiques, music stores, a pottery shop, restaurants, tea room, antique galleries and other compatible business and professional offices that make it an exciting and fun place to be. Bed and Breakfasts and hotels provide accommodations for overnighters. All of this is within walking distance of Sebring’s Cultural Center that includes the public library, the Sebring Historical Society, Highlands Art League and Museum and the renowned Highlands Little Theater.

The annual Highlands Art League festival is held in November each year on the Circle. This is one of the top rated art shows in the state and attracts artisans from all over the world. In addition to an impressive array of art, food vendors provide a variety of delights sure to please the palate. Other groups and organizations support this event with compatible and interesting programs throughout the day. The Community Redevelopment Agency and the Sebring Downtown Merchants and Professional Association hold a number of events on the Circle throughout the year.

When Sebring founded the city, he conceived a unique circular plan as a focal point for the entire lakeside community. His idea was that all roads should lead to and from the center of the community and despite many modern highway improvements since, it remains that way today. Circle Park and Circle Drive are the focal point for many community events and festivals.

The community experienced a boom era in the 1920s as a result of its founder’s plans. Investors, railroads, real estate entrepreneurs, northern bankers and others were intrigued by the layout of this community and saw it as an economic bonanza. The development of cattle ranches and citrus groves contributed to the creation of new empires, all complimented by connections to other cities throughout the nation by Seaboard Air Line Railroad’s Orange Blossom Special.

By the mid-twenties the population had grown nearly fourfold and much of the early development had reached its peak. The "City on the Circle" had developed into a business mecca and the demand for housing outstripped developers ability to construct. Biltmore interests financed the $30 million dollar development of Harder Hall, a major resort complex complete with its own golf course and home sites.

By the late twenties an end to the boom was caused by fraudulent land sales, railroad embargoes and clogged shipyards. Following the "Crash of 29" the area’s economy was given a huge boost by the development of Highlands Hammock State Park, a Civilian Conservation Corps project and the establishment of Hendricks Field – a WW-II bomber training base. Today’s modern Sebring Regional Airport is on that same site.

Area pride and excitement was revived in the ‘50s when annual sports car racing began at the airport using excess runways. The world renowned "12 Hours of Sebring" was born at the airport and continues today as the oldest road race of its kind in North America.