HISTORY: West Orange County of yesteryear for the week of Oct. 24, 2024

OLD TIMES / THE WAYS WE WERE

80 years ago

The Winter Garden War Price and Ration Book announced those wishing to secure new A-books needed to mail in applications.

50 years ago

Firebird, a 7-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse stallion, is one of five of Mr. Frank Roper’s championship walking horses that won blue ribbons at the South Florida Fair in West Palm Beach two weeks ago.

Suzi Karr joined Bekemeyer Realty in Winter Garden.

The Pizza Hut at the corner of Plant and Dillard streets was closed after the national chain decided to shut down all smaller outlets.

The Windermere Country Restaurant, which was operated most recently as the Villa Milano, was reopened by Harold and Theresa Barlow as Barlow’s Kountry Kitchen.

Three young men who were appearing in the Once Upon a Stage production of “Damn Yankees” were alumni of the John Leipzig days at Ocoee High School: Terry Wines, Tom Riffle and Larry Norwood.

Mattie Hugh Farmer, one of the first teachers at Ocoee High School (1923-33), was among those honored during pregame activities at Homecoming.

35 years ago

Winter Garden resident Elizabeth Arnold wrote a letter to the editor to express her appreciation of Postmaster Jim Crowe at the Winter Garden Post Office for making it possible for a ramp to be built at the downtown building. “Now all disabled persons like myself can have a P.O. box in the post office and conduct business there.”

The travel agency LandSeAir in the West Orange Shopping Center advertised a six-day, five-night trip to Mexico City for $379. The price included transportation, a room, sightseeing tours, an evening on the town and afternoon bullfight.

The West Orange YMCA appointed James R. “Jim” Brewer as program director.

20 years ago

Ocoee Mayor Scott Vandergrift and Apopka Mayor John Land unveiled a sign for the newly dedicated Veterans Memorial Interchange at a ceremony that included veterans and other local officials. The name designation was for the interchange of State Road 429 and Florida’s Turnpike.

Jessica Colon and Neal Jones were crowned Homecoming royalty at Dr. Phillips High School.

Ralph and Jodie Suggs discovered the extent of their neighbors’ friendliness after Hurricane Jeanne knocked down a big tree in their backyard. The Suggses ran some errands, and when they returned, many of their teenage neighbors and a few parents were already removing the tree with the help of three chainsaws.

Windermere Rotarian Bill Criswell welcomed new member Jon VanderLey, former Oakland mayor, with a Rotary pin.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

OCTOBER 22, 1954

The new Ford Thunderbirds of 1954 were considered “a personal car of distinction … with trigger-torque performance,” according to an advertisement in The Winter Garden Times. The vehicle was for sale at Oscar Bryan Ford, 236 E. Plant St., Winter Garden — located roughly at the parking lot that today sits between Alarie Design and Winter Garden Restaurant.

The ad touted a wealth of conveniences in the T-bird: two top options (a disappearing fabric top or easy-to-lift-on hard top), extra-wide vinyl upholstered foam rubber-cushioned seat, roll-up windows (by power, if you like), tachometer, clock with a sweep second hand, telescoping steering wheel, and the option of power steering and power brakes.

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION ARCHIVES

As part of its 100th anniversary of incorporation in 1987, the town of Oakland offered a walking tour of homes. This hand-drawn map directed people to 16 sites of local interest, such as the Hovsepians’ “House of Three Mayors,” a prize oak tree and one of the two cemeteries. You can see how much Oakland has changed 37 years ago today since this map was first offered. Then, the tiny community was still very much blanketed with orange groves bordering the quiet, sandy streets.