This week in West Orange County history: Aug. 23, 2023

OLD TIMES

90 years ago

A surprising opinion was handed down by Attorney Gen. Cary D. Landis, who ruled that Sunday movies were illegal in Florida regardless of whether or not municipalities had passed legislation to permit their legal operation.

Tomatoes and peppers were the main crop being picked by workers with M.C. Britt, A.B. Kannon, L.M. Austin and Clarence Tilden.

Jones Goodyear Service Station, telephone 55, in Winter Garden, featured 4.40-21 tires at $5.55 each.

Mrs. J. Earl Vick and sons John and Ned were in Chicago attending the World’s Fair.

Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Welsh and Mrs. D. Flemming were home again after a brief trip to the Chicago World’s Fair.

85 years ago

Mayor George Walker announced federal approval of a Works Progress Administration project to repave streets in Winter Garden.

72 years ago

The parking meters were being placed back on the streets of Winter Garden. The fine for parking overtime was 50 cents.

A check for $4,000 to help provide care for local polio patients was received by the Orange County Chapter of the National Foundation of Infantile Paralysis.

50 years ago

John A. Terrell of Winter Garden was selected for Outstanding Young Men of America. He recently was elected president of the Jaycees of Florida.

Mrs. Wade (Jan) Bradford was guest of honor at a baby shower given at the home of Mrs. William (Jane) Fairchild.

In the Winter Garden City Tennis Tournament, Martha Teal defeated Jane Fulmer in the girls 12-and-under and Craig Perry defeated Randy Buttram in the boys 12-and-under. In the 14-and-under, it was Robyne Teal over Jennifer Powell and Paul Wiltse over Doug Knight.

Ocoee teenagers Jim Shirley, Tommy Breeze and Randy Freeman took a summer trip that carried them to Alaska and back. They logged almost 16,000 miles on Jim’s 1972 Datsun pickup. During the 37-day jaunt, they took turns driving and found time to climb a mountain, ride rapids, eat in a pizza shop in Anchorage and witness the Northern Lights. In Wyoming, they counted 214 deer and antelope alongside the road. They balked at having to pay 88 cents a gallon for gas. And they claimed the purchased a moose head skeleton from a drunken Indian.

Ocoee’s Prima Vista subdivision, a 44-acre, 154-home residential tract south of Starke Lake on White Road, was ready for the first residents to move in. The three-, four- and five-bedroom homes were in the $30,000 to $41,000 price range.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

AUG. 28, 1969

If you were looking for a used car in West Orange County in 1969, one of the best places to make a purchase was at John Lamb Chevrolet, on Highway 50 in Winter Garden.

An advertisement in The Winter Garden Times announced a two-door 1968 Camero for $2,095 and the same car in a super sport model with radio for $2,695; a 1962 Corvair Monza Coupe for $595; a four-speed 1967 Chevelle SS 396 for $2,095; and an automatic, 8-cylinder 1965 Chevelle convertible with power steering, center console and bucket seats for $1,295. For $1,595, you could drive off with an 8-cylinder 1966 Oldsmobile F-85 or 6-cylinder 1965 Chevy 1-Ton.

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

This men's overcoat, size 37 large, very likely saw service during the Korean War and may have been in use from as early as the Air Force's founding in 1947. It features two patches on each arm, signifying its owner was an airman. The buttons of the coat are engraved with the crest of the United States Air Force.

An upcoming exhibit titled “Dressing the Part: Selections from the Wardrobe Collection,” will open at the Winter Garden Heritage Museum in early September and feature work-day uniforms, military outfits, homecoming gowns and many other items donated by local residents.