Here’s the Dinky Line train in the Orlando rail yard around 1900. The train ran as part of the Orlando-Winter Park Railroad that started in 1889. The train ride was irregular and difficult and it wasn’t unusual for the train[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Now here’s a deal! The building illustrated still exists in Winter Park on Park Avenue. This ad is from an Orlando – Winter Park Attraction Guide from 1962. The guide is part of the Swampy’s Florida collection. By the way,[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Here’s ‘The Imperial House’ that used to be on US 17 & 92 in Winter Park. Notice the huge sign in the shape of a crown. It lit up at night and was something to see while driving in the[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
This postcard from the 1970s is one of the few ice cream shop franchises that once existed in Florida. Dipper Dan had spots in Winter Park, Lakeland, Tampa, etc. I believe the one that lasted the longest was in Lakeland[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
After three years of congregating in other locations, the first All Saints Church in Winter Park opened it’s doors in 1886, a year before the City of Winter Park incorporated. The photo above is of the church in 1940. By[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Nestled on the campus of Rollins College in Winter Park is Knowles Memorial Chapel. Earlier this month the services for former Rollins president, Thaddeus Seymour were held here. The postcard has no postmark and was printed in Asheville, North Carolina,[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
The First United Methodist church of Winter Park started construction at the corner of Interlachen Avenue and Morse Boulevard in January of 1895. The Reverend John Martin spearheaded the project. He even built and carved the pulpit himself. This photo[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Here’s the Union Congregational Church in the 1880s at a time where the local Methodists attended services in those early days of the community to be incorporated as Winter Park in 1887. This photo comes from ‘First United Methodist Church[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Swampy made his way into Orange County and found the Santa standing guard outside the Park Plaza Gardens on Park Avenue in Winter Park. Here’s a gigantic Christmas tree in Central Park on Park Avenue in Winter[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Interesting that the mailing address was at the Jefferson Court Hotel in Orlando. Ilk Chase was a celebrity best known for her talk and game show appearances. This ad is from ‘Orlando Attraction’ from February 1952.
Krispy Kreme doughnut shops used to dot the Florida landscape. In the early ’80s many closed. In the past 10 years many new Krispy Kreme stores were built again across the state. Here’s one of the new ones in Winter[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…