From the WGHF Archives 08.27.15

In the days when practically all of West Orange County was beginning to be carpeted with citrus trees, the L.D. Jones orange grove in Winter Garden offers up its bounty to a group of early 20th-century residents. Beryl Rees, fourth from left, was Winter Garden Mayor John Rees Jr.’s grandmother on his father’s side. Beryl Rees’ aunt and uncle were Vina and Lou Jones. They built their home on Main Street around 1926. It was later given to Beryl Rees, who gave it to her son, John Rees Sr. Vina and Lou Jones are buried in Oakland, beneath the largest headstones in the cemetery.

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, which seeks to preserve our heritage and architecture while creating new cultural experiences, is celebrating its third decade with the debut of its new History Research and Education Center.