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ORANGE COUNTY
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Orange County, one of the 67 Counties in Florida, can be traced back to the early years (1500-1800's). While sparsely occupied during these early years when the territory was exchanged between Spain and Great Britain. Florida was returned to Spain after the American Revolution. In 1821 the United States purchased Florida from Spain and soon after in 1824 Mosquito County was created from the St. Johns County. Fortunately for all of Orange County inhabitants, in 1845 Mosquito County was renamed after the citrus crop so plentiful there. Thus, Orange County which extended north and east to Lake Monroe was renamed and the county seat was in Mellonville which is now Sanford.
Once a major center for citrus groves, today the commercial orange groves have been swallowed up by housing developments. :( The first paved roads were built in 1915 and were centralized around what is known as the Dixie Highway, Winter Park, Maitland, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Apopka and Plymouth. Over the next 10 years roads were extended in all directions and then given a hard surface. Growth progressed in a moderately slow fashion until the 1970's when the Disney Corporation bought up much of the land in south Orange and north Osceola Counties. This was the beginning of the extensive growth of Orlando and Orange County's domination as resort communities. Commerce and industry have also flourished here and in large part are due to the innovative and visionary leadership to expand the areas's growth with a partnership between government, education and business. The Innovation Way corridor encompasses the University of Central Florida, Central Florida Research Park, International Corporate Park and the Orlando International Airport. The combination of science, technology, aerospace, defense, conventions, tourism, economic diversity and the solid hospitality and entertainment business core are the propelling forces and accomplishments in this areas growth.
The area is steeped in history and well worth reading about. We hope you will enjoy the history and wonderful stories well known to us native citizens. Since Orlando is the largest City in Orange County many stories have been told about the naming of Orlando. The most popular one being it was named after a soldier named Orlando Reeves who was killed during the Second Seminole War near Lake Eola. One historian says there was no record of a soldier by that name but the legend grew and when a local school erected a monument to the fallen Orlando Reeves downtown near Lake Eola, most believe it to be true. The name Orlando was recognized with a post office in 1857.
In 1870 a General Henry Sanford purchased 12,547 acres, founding Sanford. Immigrants arrived soon after to work for the General. Soon after tourism and the transportation of goods lumber, cattle and crops, it made Sanford the Gateway City. The St. Johns River became the super highway! In 1875 Orlando became incorporated. The first railroad charter was issued for the Lake Monroe and Orlando railroad. These original old railroads can be seen in some locations today which linked the counties of Orange and Seminole.
One after the other, cities like Sanford, Longwood, Geneva, Altamonte Springs, became established. Orange County grew in size and name and in 1913 the towns to the east and north broke from Orange and became Seminole County.
The county grew over the next 40 years establishing school boards, Church Street Station, Public Libraries, Courthouses, public roadways, a Farmer's Market and some of the most beautiful buildings ever erected. When you read of the history the place names and Street names will help realize the stories of the first citizenry.
The County has weathered wars, the Banking Industry crash, the depression, tourism flourishing and then diminishing, and the establishment of a municipal airport. Martin-Marietta which later became the space and defense giant Lockheed Martin increased jobs and city growth.
The greatest boost to tourism was the announcement of Disney coming to Orlando. The grand opening in 1971 set the pace for a vacation land and thus all the others followed, making Orlando and Orange County the #1 tourist destination in the world. However, the locals were uncertain that Disney would be successful. Many tourist theme parks followed and the rest is history!
Are you ready for this? Before the success of Disney, when I was going to kindergarten in Winter Park, I remember my mother stopping at the Turkey Farm, which was located on the Northeast corner of Lake Howell Rd & Howell Branch. We would get a golden delicious apple. Yes, there were turkeys that would run around and I thought it was the best!
SEARCH FOR PROPERTIES IN ORANGE COUNTY
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Incorporated |
Unincorporated |
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City of Apopka |
Azalea Park |
Paradise Heights |
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City of Bay Lake |
Bay Hill |
Pine Castle |
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City of Belle Isle |
Bithlo |
Reddy Creek |
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Town of Eatonville |
Christmas |
Sky Lake |
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City of Edgewater |
Conway |
South Apopka |
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City of Lake Buena Vista |
Dr. Phillips |
South Chase |
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City of Maitland |
Fairview Shores |
Taft |
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Town of Oakland |
Goldenrod |
Tangelo Park |
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City of Ocoee |
Gotha |
Tangerine |
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City of Orlando |
Holden Heights |
Tildenville |
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Town of Windermere |
Hunters Creek |
Union Park |
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City of Winter Garden |
Lake Butler |
Vineland |
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City of Winter Park |
Lake Hart |
Wedgefield |
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Lockhart |
Williamsburg |
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Meadow Woods |
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Helpful websites:
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