Gourd Neck Springs is a small spring located in the southwest portion of Lake Apopka, in a small cove called “Gourd Neck” due to its distinctive shape. This area of the lake was considered in the 1960s as a potential nursery for fish. The Lake Apopka Technical Committee explored damming the Gourd Neck, separating it from the lake and preventing polluted lake water from entering, but these plans did not materialize. Efforts were also made in the 1960s to have the Gourd Neck area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a public park. The Gourd Neck Springs Park Association was formed in 1961 to study the site’s potential for a park and lobby for support from legislators. The land bordering the area was privately-owned by various individuals. One of these, Gary I. Sharp, continued seeking support for a park into the 1970s. While the project received support from Florida legislators and environmentalists, the land was never purchased by the state.

The Environmentally Endangered Lands Program (EEL) was formed in 1972 as part of the larger Land Conservation Act of 1972. The EEL program was initially funded through the sale of state bonds. The program was designed to help the state acquire lands considered environmentally sensitive and was not designed for creating areas for recreational use. Potential sites for acquisition could be suggested by citizens, county and state governments, and nonprofit organizations. After evaluation for environmental value, potential sites would be approved by the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Natural Resources and finalized by the Governor. In 1979, the former Executive Director, Harmon Shields, was indicted on corruption charges involving the lands-acquisition process. Following this scandal, the EEL program was replaced by Conservation and Recreation Lands Program. This change replaced the program's funding with tax revenues instead of bond sales, and formed the Land Acquisition Selection Committee, made up by six executive directors of Florida environmental agencies, to select sites for approval by the governor. The Division of State Lands was also created as a division of the Department of Natural Resources to oversee mapping and evaluation of potential sites for acquisition.]]>
Gourd Neck Springs. Winter Park, FL: 1975: binder 1975, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.]]> Gourd Neck Springs. Winter Park, FL: 1975.]]> Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.]]> Friends of Lake Apopka Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> Friends of Lake Apopka and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]>
0:00:37 Childhood memories
0:03:46 Childhood games and entertainment
0:07:29 Friends and pets
0:11:46 Siblings and childhood aspirations
0:14:27 Favorite books
0:17:18 Mary Alice Powell Aulin and sewing
0:22:17 Childhood homes
0:24:56 RECORDING CUTS OFF
0:24:59 Community events
0:29:36 Car accident and the local doctor
0:35:02 Teachers and discipline
0:39:19 School pranks and memories
0:42:05 Integration and race relations
0:47:30 Graduation
0:49:41 College education and first job
0:53:26 Husbands and children
1:02:35 History of the Aulin family
1:09:08 Closing remarks]]>
Oviedo Historical Society, Oviedo, Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]> Oviedo Historical Society, Oviedo, Florida.]]> Oviedo Historical Society Collection, Oviedo Collection, Seminole County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Flash Player]]> Java]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> RICHES of Central Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]>
The Maitland News was a local newspaper originally published by the Maitland Realty Company (and later by the Maitland News Company) which began circulation in April 1926. This edition features articles on topics such as the town council voting on street improvements, Maitland artists appearing on WDBO radio, a Halloween party, a Boy Scout camping trip, surveying plans for State Highway No. 3, staff changes at Maitland Lumber Company, a meeting of the Maitland Auxiliary, a meeting of the Parent-Teacher Association, school happenings, the housing arrangements of local residents, and a local events calendar. Also featured is a letter from Winter Park Mayor C. Fred Ward, and several advertisements for local businesses.]]> The Maitland News, Vol. 01, No. 25, October 23, 1926: Newspaper Collection, accession number 2014.002.020V, room 2, case 2, shelf 10, box GV, Maitland Historical Museum, Art & History Museums - Maitland, Maitland, Florida.]]> The Maitland News, Vol. 01, No. 25, October 23, 1926. ]]> Maitland Historical Museum, Art & History Museums - Maitland, Maitland, Florida.]]> The Maitland News Collection, Maitland Historical Museum Collection, Maitland Collection, Orange County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]>
Episode 33 features a discussion of souvenir salt and pepper shakers sold to tourists during the 20th Century. This podcast also includes interviews with Andrea Ludden of the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, Dr. Tracy J. Revels of Wofford College, and Dr. Nick Wynne of the Florida Historical Society.]]>
A History of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]> Clermont Historic Village]]> Library of Congress]]> Florida Memory Project]]> A History of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.]]> A History of Central Florida Collection, RICHES Podcast Documentaries Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Flash Player]]> Java]]> RICHES.]]> RICHES]]>