Orlando Public Library

Descending the steps of the Albertson Public Library after several hours of reading, the glare of bright sunlight and the thick, humid air envelopes you. It is summer 1945, and air conditioning has not yet arrived in Orlando.

You stop for a drink at the public fountain on the corner of Rosalind Avenue and Central Avenue (present-day Central Boulevard), but the water is warm and a cold soda at Wayne Moses’ Corner Canteen up the street seems far more appealing. You start back up Central Avenue.

As you walk by the Salvation Army building, you hear a group inside practicing for the regular Saturday night street corner service. Drums, brass instruments, and the distinctive beat of tambourines fill the air as you stroll by. You notice that the cornerstone on the building indicates that it was built in 1922 and originally served as the First Christian Church.

A few steps further and you reach the Orlando Chamber of Commerce Building. This notable landmark is the focus of nearly every civic and social activity in town. Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, the JayCees (Orlando Junior Chamber of Commerce), Business and Professional Women, Exchange Club, and other organizations have their meetings here.  Office space is also provided for the Orlando Florida Association of Real Estate Boards.

A peek inside the handsome building lures you toward comfortable sofas and chairs in the center of the main room.  The architectural style is Moorish, with the thick stucco walls and columns set off by ornate wrought iron handrails.

At the rear is an elevator, one of the few in town. It can whisk you all the way to the fourth floor (although the ride is not quite what one might call a whisk).

Orlando’s first library opened in 1923, due largely to the influence of The Sorosis Club, which lent books before there was an actual library. Our first library was named for Captain Charles L. Albertson, a retired New York City police inspector who contributed a large collection of books.

Some will remember that it was Miss Olive Brunbaugh who served as Orlando’s first librarian from 1923 to 1943. Miss Clara Elizabeth Wendel served as librarian until 1970.

The new library, considered one of the finest in the nation, was completed in two stages:
The first stage opened in 1966. In 1984, under the supervision of the library's current director, Glenn Miller, the second addition was completed, greatly increasing its size.  Glenn Miller was appointed in 1969.

The Orlando Public Library now covers a city block and is part of the Orange County Library System, which employs several hundred persons here and in nine branches.

Located in a converted home, the Young Women’s Community Club, a strictly operated hostelry for young, single girls is next, and beside it is Chief Bennett’s home. Mrs. Anne Parker’s home is just beyond his. It will eventually become the Salvation Army Women’s Emergency Home. The last home facing Wall Street is that of Mrs. Cleole Dasher.

Reaching Rosalind, as you head toward the library, you pass the home of Lea Hurlburt. Samuel S. Morrison will later occupy that home. Strolling by the office of the beloved physician, Dr. Frank Gray, you round the corner, passing that warm water fountain on the return trip to the library.

That cold soda still beckons you to Wayne Moses' refreshment stand on the corner. This shop shares the same busy location with the filling station owned by Sam Shriver, a one-time Justice of the Peace in Orange County. Mr. Shriver's station sells Shell products and gives good old-fashioned service.

The cold drink is refreshing. You decide to continue around the block on your return to the library.

As usual, some of the guys at Fire Station No. 1 are polishing the trucks while others are playing checkers to stay busy. You can swap a story with Chief Maxie Bennett. If he is not there, you might find him at 130 Wall Street, his home, just around the corner.

The red brick building at the corner of Main Street (present-day Magnoliva Avenue) and Wall Street is the Orlando Utilities Commission, where you pay your water and light bills and have service started or stopped, depending on the time of year. Some folks who go away for several week in the summer order their service discontinued to save money.

—Orlando Remembered Library Exhibit