HISTORY: West Orange County of yesteryear for week of July 31, 2025

FROM THE ARCHIVES
The water tower that marked the South Lake Apopka Citrus Growers Association packinghouse blew down in a vicious storm a few years ago, twisted into a crumpled mass of steel. For many decades, when King Citrus reigned supreme across the land, it crowned a property that was one of Central Florida’s busiest agricultural plants. Opened in 1909, it was served by two railroad lines busily transporting orange gold to auction houses up north. Early workers were housed in two nearby dormitories (one for men and one for women). With the demise of the citrus industry due to severe freezes during the 1980s, the plant’s viability became negligible. It still stands today, a reminder of a glorious past, and hopefully will continue to be preserved to house new businesses. 

The mission of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is to preserve the heritage and architecture of Winter Garden while creating new cultural experiences. The Foundation also preserves the material culture of West Orange County, using it to educate the area’s youth on the community’s rich history.

THE WAYS WE WERE
55 years ago
Mary Roberson, an 8-year-old Tildenville Elementary School student, was awarded a Certificate of Achievement from the American Automobile Association when she was one of 50 winners in the state of Florida in the annual safety poster contest.

50 years ago
The grand-prize winner at Winter Garden Travel Center’s grand opening for the Airstream and Argosy motor home and trailer lines was Jeanette Underwood, of Winter Garden. Pictured with the winner were Bud Weirich, general manager of the travel center, and contest judges Mayor C.H. Johnson and City Commissioner Don Jackson.

In the classifieds: 1969 Mercury station wagon, automatic transmission, air-conditioned, four-seater, a real honey of a car, $1,288. 1973 Nova coupe, blue with white top, bucket seats, air-conditioned, automatic transmission, 22,000 miles, $2,688. 1974 Luv pickup truck, 4-cylinder, 4-speed, Midado package, radio, low miles, $2,895. 1974 Vega wagon, 1,200 miles (no misprint), air-conditioning, automatic transmission, cream color, $2,988. Two beige part-poodle puppies, $10 each.

45 years ago
A recent issue of New Yorker magazine contained an interesting piece of writing titled, “U.S. Journal: Ocoee, Fla. — A Short History of the Ocoee Secession Movement, So Far.”

James J. “Bud” Grice, of Windermere; his son-in-law, the Rev. Myrick Laite; and his granddaughter, Bunny Laite, all were given community service awards by Sheriff Mel G. Coleman in appreciation for their role in rescuing the occupants of a boat that caught fire on Lake Down.

35 years ago
Some call him the “worst golfer in West Orange County,” but at West Orange Country Club’s par 3, fifth hole, Hank Sines, of Winter Garden, hit a shot most golfers can only dream of making. This 22-handicapper made his first hole-in-one on the 169-yard fifth hole with a five iron.

The rainbow theme throughout Palm Lake Elementary School symbolized unity and a new beginning as year-round school opened with five different-colored tracks. The blue, green, yellow and orange tracks began school in July; the red track wouldn’t start until a month later.

The Rev. David Day was announced as the new minister of Ocoee United Methodist Church. He previously served as pastor of the mission church on St. George Island.

30 years ago
Tom Ferebee, of Windermere, was in the national spotlight during the 50th anniversary of the atomic bomb being dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Ferebee, a U.S. Air Force veteran, was the bombardier on the B-29 Enola Gay, which dropped the bomb Aug. 6, 1945, during World War II.

THROWBACK THURSDAY
JULY 26, 1990
Two Ocoee businesses collaborated on a dinner-and-movie deal that benefited Italian food and film lovers. Pavelo’s Pasta Fare and Orange Tree Cinema, both on Maguire Road near the former Colony Plaza Hotel, teamed up to offer dinner and a movie for two for $20.95. The advertisement ran in The West Orange Times.

After enjoying a meal that included a menu of pasta dishes, folks could head over to the movie theater for varied film options: “The Adventures of Ford Fairlane,” “Jetsons the Movie,” “Die Hard 2,” “Ghost,” “Disney’s Classic Jungle Book,” “Problem Child” and “Arachnophobia.”