This week in West Orange County history

OLD TIMES

85 years ago

Two Atlantic Coast Line railway box cars, loaded with vegetables, turned over at the Avalon packinghouse near the Ocoee station. Three others were derailed. Rail officials blamed a “tampered with” switch or a misunderstanding between switch points.

Advertised by Cappleman’s Cash and Carry: Fancy assorted chocolates, five-pound boxes, 90 cents; self-rising flour, 24 pounds, 97 cents.

The Lincoln-Zephyr was viewed by scores of motor enthusiasts at the Pounds Motor Company showroom. The medium-priced car, delivering at $1,500, had a Ford V-12 engine and came in two models, two-door and four-door.

Harriet Jane Jones’ students gave a recital. Artists taking part were Jimmie Lee Dillard, Margaret Ficquette, Nydia McAdams, Margaret Cappleman, Sarah Elizabeth McMillan, Jeanette Johnson, Dottie Lu Hall, Jean Sadler, Bill Sansbury, Howard Ficquette, Christine Kitchen and Harriet Pounds.

80 years ago

Miss Betty Roper entertained the Girl Reserves in her home. The event was the Christmas party for the group of 15 girls.

70 years ago

The Lakeview High Chapter Future Farmers of America was given an abandoned orange grove by the Orange County School Board. The boys were learning first-hand about caring for an orange grove under the direction of Robert Hargraves. The fruit from the trees was expected to take care of all the expenses.

The new Civilian Defense Council got off to a good start. The council planned to meet to consider means of perfecting an efficient and workable way to meet any emergency that might arise.

50 years ago

Two of the original buildings at the old Windermere school site were being torn down as a part of a modernization and beautification program.

Jimmy Pitchford received the Outstanding Citizenship Award from the West Orange Jaycees.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Dec. 20, 1946

The West Orange News used advertising space to wish its readers a Merry Christmas in 1946: “Here’s wishing that the light of the season’s cheer will glow through all you do, adding greatly to your Christmas happiness.”

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION ARCHIVES

An early 1960s Christmas was celebrated with a party at the home of Winter Garden resident Johnie Griffin. He operated a grocery store for many years at 730 E. Plant St., presently the site of the Carpenters Local Union.

 In a photograph shared by Sandra Oliver are, from left: top, H.C. Stevens, Kenneth Bush, Lennie Walls, M.L. Faircloth, Irvin Riffle and Wayne Wilson; bottom, Johnie Griffin, Ruby Daniels, Tennie Bush, Ann Rhodes, Hattie Welsh and Lenora Baldwin. Kenneth and Tennie “Tina” Bush are Sandra’s parents.