This week in West Orange County history

OLD TIMES

85 years ago

For sale: 120 acres, including 80 acres of excellent citrus land and a nice lake on a paved road, $1,400.

75 years ago

V.E. Bourland, county commissioner, attended the Winter Garden City Commission meeting and advised members that the city’s allotment of bricks to be removed from the old State Road 22 is 35,000. The municipalities were to receive portions of the bricks on a population basis.

70 years ago

A new eatery, Cross-State Restaurant, was announced at Cross State Highway and Ninth Street under the management of Mrs. Carl Hollaway.

55 years ago

Sperry Jones Rademaker of Windermere was in training for the Olympics kayak competition after returning from the world championships in East Berlin. Her sister, Marcia, won a bronze medal in 1964 — the first medal for the U.S. in women’s kayak competition.

50 years ago

From Editor’s Notebook: A lot of work goes into the making of a parade float, as we have been discovering during the past few days. In garages and barns and backyards around Winter Garden and Ocoee, the floats are being put together for the two big Homecoming parades on Friday. We have enjoyed watching the activity going on close to our office as a group of Lakeview High sophomores create their float in McMillan’s garage.

30 years ago

West Orange High Principal Sarah Jane Turner and Dr. Phillips High Principal Bill Spoone were photographed arm-wrestling over the Ol’ Orange Crate as the two schools prepared for the annual football matchup.

20 years ago

Realtor E.M. “Ed” Henderson retired after 45 years in real estate. He was known for his signs with the red hen.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Oct. 15, 1970

The KOA’s Winter Garden Kampground offered a plethora of accommodations for campers, including a swimming pool, hot showers, laundry facilities, a playground, grocery store and even campers for rent. The campground — now Winter Garden RV Resort — was located at 279 W. Highway 50.

Across the street and to the east was the popular eatery Dizzy Whirl, home of the Whirlaburger and “healthy food.” The “delicious and inexpensive” food could be enjoyed in the dining room or from a take-out bag.

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION ARCHIVES

This postcard image was shared by Mark Carpenter, the man who drove the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation’s orange and yellow tractor through orange groves. It was sent to his mother from his father in 1950.

West Plant Street is seen looking east from its intersection with Boyd Street. Businesses include Davis Pharmacy, Maust’s Grocery, the Tim Ellis store, George Walker Electric, Cappleman’s Grocery, Joiner Auto Parts, Tibbal’s Rexall Drugs and Ellis Pharmacy across Main Street. At Woodland Street is a Gulf Oil station, and the Atlantic Coast Line depot is seen at far left.

Note that today’s downtown historic district remains virtually unchanged from the setting shown on this postcard.