This week in West Orange County history

OLD TIMES

85 years ago

A group of young men, including Ward Britt, Leonard Mann, Herbert Pounds, Franklin Cappleman, Noel Griffith and John Vick, sponsored a dance at the Legion Hall. Roy Fulmer’s orchestra furnished the music.

Winter Garden may have a school for kindergarten-aged children whose parents are on relief, thanks mainly to Mrs. A.Z. Brown. The children would be given a good lunch and have beds for daily naps.

75 years ago

Should V-E Day be announced as early as noon of any weekday, special services will be held that evening at the First Baptist Church at 8 p.m. If the announcement comes after the noon hour, the service will be held the following evening at 8 p.m. This will be a special service for all Winter Garden churches.

70 years ago

Gotha celebrated its centennial with an old-fashioned reunion. Louise Fischer Meador was an appropriate person to head up the event — she is part of two Gotha pioneer families. Many of her family members attended, as did descendants of pioneer H.A. Hempel.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Lakeview High School gymnasium were held with Harry M. Smith acting as master of ceremonies. Speakers included Ocoee Mayor Bud Owens; Lakeview Principal Mr. Garland; Mr. Walker, superintendent of public instruction; and State Sen. J.B. Rodgers.

65 years ago

Retired Navy Capt. Bill Sims caused a stir in Windermere when he installed a sign in front of Windermere Town Hall with the message: “Navy parking only. All others will be towed away.” Old Air Force fighter pilot Jess Green and Town Manager Vick Thompson, also an Air Force veteran, threatened to yank up and confiscate the illegal sign.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

The West Orange News

April 26, 1946

Don’t you just love ice cream enough to want to hug a giant container of it? Borden’s Ice Cream banked on locals enjoying the brand’s sweet cold treat when it advertised in The West Orange News in 1946.

“So smooth, so flavorful, so downright delicious,” the ad read. “Enjoy Borden’s Ice Cream at your favorite fountain, too.”

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION ARCHIVES

This farmhouse once stood on the Stage Stop Campground property on West Colonial Drive in Winter Garden. Constructed in 1930 by Orlando attorney John Thomas Ezzard Sr., it was the centerpiece of his orange- and tangerine-growing enterprises. He never returned to practicing law. A truck farm that grew vegetables, especially cabbage, once existed south of the farm. In 1960, a large pond was constructed to be used for fish farming. Ezzard died in 1960, and the property was sold soon after.