This week in West Orange County history

OLD TIMES

75 years ago

A business deal was closed this week when Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Zollman became the owners of Edgewater Hotel.

Roger B. Seidner, Naval Reserve Officer’s Training Corps, is attending the V-12 at Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina. He recently visited his parents in Windermere.

J.D. Pounds reported that on account of the labor shortage, Bahamians were being brought in to help take care of the situation.

Mrs. Ed Reeves entertained members of her bridge club Thursday evening at her home on South East Plant Street. Mrs. Albert V. Cowart won high prize and Mrs. Walter Coble second, with Mrs. Glenn Joiner receiving low.

50 years ago

Through the efforts of the Winter Garden Rotary Club, a defensive driving school will be held here. Otho Watford heads the committee.

45 years ago

Ocoee High School will hold its last Homecoming marking its final year as a junior-senior high school. Alumni are part of the festivities as OHS celebrates its 50th anniversary. In pregame activities, former principals, faculty members and cheerleaders will be honored.

35 years ago

As it marked the seventh anniversary of its dedication, Holy Family Catholic Church officially named its social hall General Flynn Hall, in honor of retired USAF Lt. Gen. John P. Flynn. A member of the church while a resident of Windermere from 1978 to 1980, Flynn served this nation in three wars. In 1967, he was shot down over Hanoi and imprisoned for five-and-a-half years, much of it in solitary confinement.

10 years ago

South Lake Apopka Citrus Growers celebrated 100 years of business. It originally operated from a building that still stands on Tildenville School Road.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

The Winter Garden Times

Oct. 30, 1969

Lakeview High School was Winter Garden’s high school for decades, and the community rallied around the Red Devils football team every Friday in the fall. In the Oct. 30, 1969, issue of The Winter Garden Times, dozens of local businesses showed their support by taking out small advertisements and including an encouraging message to the players.

FROM THE WGHF ARCHIVES

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation has information in its business files stating that Childs Taxi operated near the intersection of East Plant and Woodland streets, but the June 1953 Florida Telephone Directory locates Childs Taxi “next to Edgewater Hotel.” The same directory places Dudley’s Taxi at the Plant and Woodland location. Perhaps Childs replaced Dudley’s? If anyone can help clear up this history mystery, contact the foundation at (407) 656-3244 or comment on its Facebook page.