Celebrating Ocoee’s Centennial: 1955-65

Transportation was becoming more popular in West Orange County by 1955, and cities, counties and the state needed to find a way to maneuver the growing number of vehicles on the small roads.

State Road 50 (West Colonial Drive) was constructed south of downtown Ocoee in 1959 and provided a direct east-west connection between the city and a growing Orlando. The development of S.R. 50 made Ocoee more accessible and attractive to developers who wanted to build affordable housing developments.

Florida’s Turnpike was the next major roadway constructed through Ocoee. This 309-mile freeway was extended through West Orange County in 1964, just south of the Ocoee downtown area, and provided Ocoee with needed north-south access.

The population of Ocoee was growing, and local newspapers were dedicating more ink to the municipality and the news it produced. Well before the invention of the internet and social media, residents relied on their weekly community newspaper and the big daily for their dose of the social whirl.

Ocoee news filled the pages of The Winter Garden Times and the Orlando Evening Star. Here’s a snippet:

Jan. 14, 1955

The Ocoee Lions Club met in the clubhouse Monday night with the ladies as their guests. After a delicious steak dinner, the program chairman, Carl Reaves, showed a film showing the progress of refining and manufacturing of steel products.

The Ocoee Lions Club Auxiliary met with Mrs. J. Marsden, with the president, Mrs. J.J. Vandergrift, presiding. Plans were made for a bake sale to be held in front of the Lions Hall.

Starlite Drive-In Church services, with the Rev. E. Nash Philpot, offered morning services from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m.

June 1, 1956

The engineering firm of Sherlock, Smith and Adams of Florida Inc. relocated to the area to conduct preliminary surveys for the Florida’s Turnpike. A 13-mile strip beginning near Oakland and running southeast through Winter Garden, Ocoee, Minorville and Gotha, comprise the section of the turnpike to be surveyed. The work was to continue for about 18 months and eventually would require the staff of more than 25 men to handle the job.

July 25, 1958

Personals: Guests at the Hartle Bowness home this week were Mrs. Bowness’ brother, Eugene R. Hubbard, his wife and four children from Washington D.C.

Mrs. C.M. Strosnider was attending the Home Demonstration Short Course in Tallahassee.

Mrs. William Parker and adopted daughter Sumiko were recent guests at the Jack Marsden home. Mrs. Parker had recently returned from Tokyo, Japan, where she was a teacher in the Green Park School.

Mr. and Mrs. H.M. McCloskey and daughters Margaret and Marion returned from a month’s trip visiting and sightseeing. They visited Mr. McCloskey’s brother in New York and his sister in Philadelphia. While in New York they took in a few shows. They went sightseeing in Washington, D.C., and returned by way of the Skyline drive through the mountains.

Postmaster and Mrs. James N. Peacock returned from their honeymoon trip and took an apartment at the Stoutenburgs. Their wedding was an event of July 3 in Alabama. Mrs. Peacock was the former Miss Martha Calhoun.

Terry Barr, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Barr, entertained Phil Sharon McGehee, daughter of the Frances McGehees, with a Coke party. Guests were Connie Britt, Joan Schley, Gloria Sargent, Sue Shaw, Orean Hall, Sally Latham and Karen Moran. Cakes and sandwiches were served.

June 5, 1959

Dorothy M. Thornton, phone 1104 Red, announced students would be honored at Student Recognition Day at the Ocoee Methodist Church.

The Byron Dorough home was rented to be used as a parsonage for the new minister, expected in two weeks’ time.

The incoming and outgoing executive board of the Woman’s Club of Ocoee was entertained at a lovely luncheon at the home of Lucy Hawthorne with Mrs. Ralph Sims as co-hostess. A yellow linen cloth covered the luncheon table, and the centerpiece was yellow gladiolas with ligustrum.

The summer recreation program was to begin in a few weeks for school children.

Winners this year of the American Legion Citizenship Award were Patricia Hammock and Joe Worsham. They were presented by retired Lt. Col. Sam Salisbury. Pat Thornton received the science award from J.B. Hamer. Presentations were made at the graduation exercises at the Ocoee School auditorium.

It was announced the immunization clinic would be closed during July because the building would not be available during that time. The nurse, Ruth Miller, also was taking her vacation at that time.

A West Orange Builders Inc. advertisement invited West Orange Countians to inspect an outstanding home value: a three-bedroom, one-bath home priced at $8,250, with only $250 down and $50.86 per month.

Feb. 5, 1960

Dorothy M. Thornton, by now using phone OL 6-2186, announced the Ocoee unit of the West Orange Memorial Hospital Auxiliary was making plans to sponsor a benefit card party at the Woman’s Club of Ocoee. The cost was 75 cents per player. Proceeds were to be used to assist the general auxiliary with its portable X-ray fund.

The Ocoee Lions Club was again in charge of the Ocoee booth at the fair, with Elmer Badger as chair. He announced the following categories for the committee: citrus fruits, vegetables, fruits, lawn grasses and clover, landscape plants, cut flowers and flowering plants, indoor foliage plants, ferns, poultry, potatoes, citrus nursery stock, cured and fresh meats, honey, pasture grasses, living palms, community story, watch group and labeling.

Aug. 12, 1960

Rilla Ann Tomyn celebrated her seventh birthday with a party at the home of her aunt, Mrs. Ray Stevens. An afternoon of party games, during which all were prize winners, was followed by ice cream, punch and a beautiful pink three-tiered birthday cake with animals marching around the tiers.

The families of Mary Griffin and Vivian Watson held a picnic at Rock Springs in honor of their birthdays.

Randy Freeman observed his fifth birthday with a party at the home of his parents, the Clifford Freemans, on Starke Lake. A circus theme was followed throughout in decorations and refreshments, including a circus birthday cake, clown hats and miniature clowns given as favors.

Jan. 10, 1963

Glo-Brite Fuel Oil, a division of the Apopka Bottled Gas Co., agreed to donate one cent per gallon for all fuel oil ordered by Jan. 19. The recipient, the Ocoee Junior Woman’s Club, would then give one-third of the profits to the Ocoee Youth Center.

July 30, 1965

L.L. Dudley, of Ocoee, was presented a plaque for distinguished service by the Ocoee Lions Club. Making the presentation was international counselor John “Tiger” Minor. A charter member of the Ocoee club, Dudley was co-chairman of the Lions’ exhibit at the Orlando Fair.

Oct 20, 1965

Candidates for Homecoming queen at Ocoee High School were Leila Ann Bell, Doris Highburger, Myra Demastus, Nita Finley and Jane Cox.

Dec. 23, 1965

The Ocoee City Council approved an ordinance appropriating and allocating the revenue for the city of Ocoee. The anticipated revenue to the city was $170,596.79, to come from these sources: ad valorem, cigarette, utility and franchise taxes; water revenue; fines; licenses; garbage collection; surplus revenue; and miscellaneous. The operating expenses included $26,060 for the police department, $44,500 for the street department, $14,000 for power and lights, $12,600 for the fire department and $4,380 for the clerk’s salary.