When we spoke with Melba Peters Ward, Istachatta Historian, in 2015, she expressed a desire to change the name Lake Townsen to reflect its historical namesake Francis M. Townsend and original name Lake Townsend. This would require re-adding a "d" to Townsen. Mrs. Ward expressed a desire to hand draw a D on the Lake Townsen to correct the historical mistake. As a tribute to Mrs. Ward after her passing a group of people set out to correct the name of Lake Townsen.
Part of the process of changing the name is to make a request to the USGS, approved by the local government. Assistant County Administrator Ron Pianta helped to shepherd this through the process. On January 12th, the USGS Lake Townsen name change to Lake Townsend was approved through the consent agenda at the County Commission meeting.
A representative of the group meet with Mr. Pianta to fill out and submit the USGS application. Last week, the county received a response to the name change request. The state of Florida does not have any issues with the renaming of Lake Townsen to Lake Townsend, but the Florida Department of Environmental Protection requests "proper recognition" of the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program on new signage created.
The U.S. Board on Geographic Names have informed the Seminole Tribe of Florida and The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, both of which have interests in Hernando County. They are awaiting input from the tribes on the potential name change.
If it is accepted, then the name change will be reflected on search engines and online maps such as google when the receive the updated name. As signs need to be replaced, Lake Townsend will be used on new signs. This process will most likely take several years, but eventually we hope Mrs. Melba Peters Ward will get her wish and the d will be returned to Lake Townsend.