Tavares and Gulf Railroad

This view of the east side of South Boyd Street shows the second depot of the Tavares and Gulf railroad, the water tower, and the Winter Garden Light and Water Company. The depot, constructed in 1913, replaced the 1899 station, located slightly east and closer to Main Street. Frequent mishaps along the 38 miles of T and G track earned it various nicknames over the years, including the "Tug and Grunt," the "Turtle and Gopher," and the "Try and Go." Eventually, the Seaboard Air Line Railroad acquired the line, operating it until 1969. The depot is now the home of the Central Florida Railroad Museum. The imposing utility plant, which no longer stands, began operating in 1913 and was demolished when Florida Power and Light Company purchased the municipal system in 1929. On the site today is a parking lot and the old fire station, constructed with funds from the Works Progress Administration in 1938, under the leadership of Mayor George Walker.