Lawton's Store by Bettye Reagan
Oviedo (Fla.)
Painting--Florida
Art--Southern States
Stores, Retail--United States
Hardware industry--Florida
A painting by Bettye Reagan, a local artist in Central Florida, inspired by a photograph of the Lawton General Store Oviedo, Florida sometime between 1900 and 1939. The store was run by two brothers: Thomas Willington Lawton (1882-1963) and Winborn Joseph Lawton, Sr. (1881-1971).<br /><br />T. W. Lawton graduated from Rollins College in 1903. He later received his master's degree from Andover Newton College in Boston, Massachusetts. Following college, Lawton returned to Oviedo, where he married Charlotte "Lottie" Lee (1887-1984) and served as the principal of the Oviedo School from 1905 to 1907. In 1916, he became the first elected Superintendent of Schools of Seminole County. He held that post until 1952 and passed away 11 years later in 1963. Lawton Elementary School is named in his honor.<br /><br />W. J. Lawton, Sr. served as a trustee of the First Baptist Church of Oviedo, as well as a secretary and treasurer for the church's Sunday school. He graduated from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, in 1900. Lawton married Lillian Della Lee (ca. 1883-1977) and had four children: Elizabeth Lawton Laney, Kathryn Lawton, John. K. Lawton, and Winborn Joseph Lawton, Jr. Lawton was in the mercantile business, worked as an insurance agent, and grew citrus.
Reagan, Bettye Jean Aulin
Original painting: Reagan, Bettye. <em>Lawton's Store</em>. 1998: Private Collection of Bettye Reagan.
Reagan, Bettye Jean Aulin
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Still Image
Oviedo, Florida
Lawton Brothers Store, 1910
Oviedo (Fla.)
Stores, Retail--United States
Hardware industry--Florida
A photograph of the Lawton Brothers Store in Oviedo, Florida, in 1910. The man behind the cash register in the photograph is likely Thomas Willington Lawton (1882-1963) or his brother, Winborn Joseph Lawton, Sr. (1881-1971). T. W. Lawton graduated from Rollins College in 1903. He later received his master's degree from Andover Newton College in Boston, Massachusetts. Following college, Lawton returned to Oviedo, where he married Charlotte "Lottie" Lee (1887-1984) and served as the principal of the Oviedo School from 1905 to 1907. In 1916, he became the first elected Superintendent of Schools of Seminole County. He held that post until 1952 and passed away 11 years later in 1963. Lawton Elementary School is named in his honor.<br /><br />W. J. Lawton, Sr. served as a trustee of the First Baptist Church of Oviedo, as well as a secretary and treasurer for the church's Sunday school. He graduated from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, in 1900. Lawton married Lillian Della Lee (ca. 1883-1977) and had four children: Elizabeth Lawton Laney, Kathryn Lawton, John. K. Lawton, and Winborn Joseph Lawton, Jr. Lawton was in the mercantile business, worked as an insurance agent, and grew citrus.
Original black and white photograph: Private Collection of Bettye Reagan.
Reagan, Bettye Jean Aulin
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Oviedo, Florida
Thomas Willington Lawton and Winborn Joseph Lawton, Sr. at the Lawton General Store
Oviedo (Fla.)
Stores, Retail--United States
Hardware industry--Florida
Thomas Willington Lawton (1882-1963) and his brother, Winborn Joseph Lawton, Sr. (1881-1971), at the Lawton General Store in Oviedo, Florida. T. W. Lawton graduated from Rollins College in 1903. He later received his master's degree from Andover Newton College in Boston, Massachusetts. Following college, Lawton returned to Oviedo, where he married Charlotte "Lottie" Lee (1887-1984) and served as the principal of the Oviedo School from 1905 to 1907. In 1916, he became the first elected Superintendent of Schools of Seminole County. He held that post until 1952 and passed away 11 years later in 1963. Lawton Elementary School is named in his honor.<br /><br />W. J. Lawton, Sr. served as a trustee of the First Baptist Church of Oviedo, as well as a secretary and treasurer for the church's Sunday school. He graduated from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, in 1900. Lawton married Lillian Della Lee (ca. 1883-1977) and had four children: Elizabeth Lawton Laney, Kathryn Lawton, John. K. Lawton, and Winborn Joseph Lawton, Jr. Lawton was in the mercantile business, worked as an insurance agent, and grew citrus.
Original black and white photograph: <a href="http://oviedohs.com/" target="_blank">Oviedo Historical Society</a>, Oviedo, Florida.
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eng
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Oviedo, Florida
Oviedo Area Map and Business Guide
Oviedo (Fla.)
An area map of Oviedo, Florida, and its surrounding areas. A number of advertisements from the businesses surrond the perimeter of the map. While the date is unknown, the map is believed to have been published sometime between 1970 and 1978. <br /><br /> The Timucuan Native Americans originally inhabited the area of present-day Oviedo, although the remains of their settlements have disappeared. Homesteaders arrived along the shores of Lake Jesup in 1865 just after the Civil War ended and began growing celery and citrus. The area was called the Lake Jesup Community until March 13, 1879, when postmaster Andrew Aulin, a Swedish immigrant, chose the name Oviedo.
Original map by Willett Ad Maps: Private Collection of Sue Blackwood.
Willett Ad Map
Blackwood, Sue
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Citizen's Bank of Oviedo, Oviedo, Florida
Oviedo Saw and Mower, Oviedo, Florida
Meat World, Oviedo, Florida
Oviedo Body and Paint Shop, Oviedo, Florida
RCA C&R TV Sales and Services, Oviedo, Florida
Eileen's Creative Mud Ceramics, Oviedo, Florida
Albert's Jewelers, Oviedo, Florida
Oviedo Florists, Oviedo, Florida
Ci Gi's, Oviedo, Florida
Oviedo Child Care Center, Inc., Oviedo, Florida
Cedar Chest of Fashion Fabrics, Oviedo, Florida
Atlantic Coast Line Sanford Depot
Sanford (Fla.)
Railroads--Florida
The Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) railroad depot located on West Eighth Street in Downtown Sanford, Florida, around 1900. W. H. Hill and Company can also be seen to the right side of the photograph.<br /><br />This depot was originally part of the South Florida Railroad, which held its groundbreaking ceremony for the new railroad station on Oak Avenue in 1880, with former President Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) in attendance. In 1893, the South Florida Railroad was bought out by Henry B. Plant (1819-1899) to save it from bankruptcy and incorporated into his own railroad system. Shortly thereafter, in the winter of 1894-1895, a freeze hit Sanford, destroying the entire citrus crop. This brought an end to what had been Sanford's thriving citrus industry prompting the development of its vegetable industry. By the 1900s, Sanford was one of the largest vegetable shipping centers in the United States gaining the nickname of "The Celery City" for its most successful crop. <br /><br /> Upon Plant's death in 1902, his widow, Margaret Josephine Loughman, sold his railroad system to the Atlantic Coast Line (ACL). The arrival of the ACL in Sanford brought many new railroad workers as the city grew into a hub for shipping produce to surrounding areas. Rand Yard, the ACL's freight yard, housed a car shop, engine servicing facility, small locomotive shop, and the state's largest railroad ice plant. <br /><br /> In the early 1900s, Lake Jesup farmers began demanding that the ACL build a line for them to ship their produce into town. The ACL refused; in response, the give biggest growers chartered the Sanford and Everglades Railroad with Sydney Octavius Chase, Sr. (1860-1941) as the president. The new line was completed as an ACL branch at Lake Charm. The ACL was prompted to buy out the new line in 1913 when the Seaboard Air Line (SAL) showed interest in buying it, thus incorporating the branch which became the most profitable in the ACL system. <br /><br /> By the mid-1900s, the amount of good farmland was shrinking in Sanford due to development, driving farmers further south to farms with much more acreage. This, coupled with the establishment of Naval Air Station Sanford (NAS Sanford), turned the city's focus from agriculture to the military. In 1967, the ACL merged with the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (SCL) and later was acquired by CSX. Today, the railroad station originally built by the ACL is no longer in use.
Original 7.125 x 5 inch black and white photographic print: Vincent Collection, <a href="http://www.sanfordfl.gov/index.aspx?page=456" target="_blank">Sanford Museum</a>, Sanford, Florida.
Bronson, Kelly
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Atlantic Coast Line Depot, Sanford, Florida
Palmetto Avenue and First Street in Sanford, 1882
Sanford (Fla.)
Retail industry
First Street between Palmetto Avenue and Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, Florida, in 1882. On the southeast corner of Palmetto and First is the town drug store, which also housed the post office. The two-story building to the south of the drug store is Hester & Sheppard's saloon. West of the drug store is the George A. Sawyer building. P. J. Parramore's livery stable can also been seen in the distance of the left-hand side of the photograph. An artesian well of sulphur water is photographed in the center of the Palmetto-First intersection. The backyard of the Sanford House Hotel is on the northwest corner of the intersection. Henry L. DeForest's general store is located northward across First Street. On First Street, west of DeForest's store, is Darady's saloon. The Stafford & Ellis hardware store and tinshop was located in the tall building across First Street. Rudoplh Muller's boardinghouse and barber shop is the wide house behind the large oak tree, with Louis Hoefer's bakery to the west.
Upton
Original 11 inch x 8.5 inch photograph by Upton, 1882: <a href="http://www.sanfordfl.gov/index.aspx?page=456" target="_blank">Sanford Museum</a>, Sanford, Florida.
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Palm Avenue and First Street, Sanford, Florida
126 West Plant Street, Winter Garden
Winter Garden (Fla.)
Hardware--United States
Bakeries--United States
This one-story commercial building in Winter Garden, Florida, was constructed in 1922 as part of land platted by J. D. McMillan in 1915. The building at 126 West Plant Street was originally owned by the McMillan-Bray Hardware Company. The store was founded in 1906 by George W. "Buttles" Bray and his brother-in-law, Malcolm Y. McMillan. After several years, Bray sold out to McMillan, who later sold the business to Joseph Bumby Hardware Company.<br /><br />In 1920, Bray went back into the hardware business at another location, and in 1934, he moved the business back to this building after his original store and contents were destroyed by fire. His wife, Dora Bray, and his children, George Bray, Jr. and Evelyn Lease Bray, ran the business after his death in 1949. In 1983, the family sold the business to Walter Toole and Patti Toole. A year later, they joined the Ace Hardware franchise, and in 1987, they moved the business into a larger space on South Dillard Street. Since then, the space has been home to a number of restaurants. This building is known as the longest store in Winter Garden at only 20 feet wide and 177 feet long. At the time that this photograph was taken, the building was home to the Sweet Traditions French Bakery & Cafe.
Original color digital image: <a href="http://www.wghf.org/" target="_blank">Winter Garden Heritage Foundation</a>, Winter Garden, Florida.
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McMillan-Bray Hardware Company, Winter Garden, Florida
Joseph Bumby Hardware Company, Winter Garden, Florida
Ace Hardware, Winter Garden, Florida
Sweet Traditions French Bakery & Cafe, Winter Garden, Florida
412-418 South Sanford Avenue
Sanford (Fla.)
African Americans--Florida
Georgetown (Sanford, Fla.)
The lot located at 412-418 South Sanford Avenue in Georgetown, an historic African-American neighborhood in Sanford, Florida. The earliest known residents of this lot were both African Americans: Randall Turner in 1911 and Gilmore Felder in 1917. In that same year, Turner was also listed as resident of 410 S. Sanford Ave. By 1924, Felder had moved across the street to 413 South Sanford Avenue. In 1926, J. W. Williams, a black businessman, ran his restaurant from this address. This building was listed as vacant in 1947, but became occupied by Everybody's Hardware and by Sylvester Tavern, another black-owned business, as late as 1952. Cave Tavern was located here in 1965. <br /><br /> The first known occupant of Suite 414 was Leamon Gaynor, an African-American barber who ran his business from this location in 1926. He had previously had his barbershop at 405 S. Sanford Ave. Between approximately 1947 and 1952, this lot was vacant. In 1965, Knights Bicycle Shop was located at this address, but moved to 303 South Sanford Avenue by 1975. <br /><br /> The earliest known occupant of Suite 416 was Morris Cleaner & Dryer in 1926. Morris Narvis, who operated his clothing trade at 320 South Sanford Avenue in 1924, was likely the owner of this business. Black businessman Robert Burns was listed as a resident at this location in 1947. He also owned a beer store at 316 S. Sanford Ave. during that same year. Rainbow Pool Room was also listed at this address in 1947. By 1952, this lot was being occupied by Metz Shoe Shop, an African-American business. From approximately 1965 to 1975, the business operated from 422 S. Sanford Ave. under a new name: Metz Shoe Shop Repairs. It is likely that this business was owned by William Metz, a cobbler who operated his business from 321 South Sanford Avenue in 1947. In 1965, Ansley TV Service was located here, but later moved to 400 S. Sanford Ave. by 1975. In that same year, Williamson & Son Barber Shop occupied this lot. <br /><br /> Druggist A. M. Staup was the first known occupant of Suite 418 in 1926. The Seminole Barber Shop occupied this location from approximately 1947 to 1952. The barbershop, owned by Preston Williamson, moved to 420 South Sanford Avenue by 1963 and remained there until 1969. It is likely that Williamson & Son Barber Shop was owned by Preston Williamson as well. The address was listed as vacant in 1965. In 1975, Steen's Dry Cleaners was housed here. The building was also previously occupied by Beverly's Hair Cutting. In 2011, the building was being occupied by Miracle House Healing Ministries, Inc. a non-profit religious organization established on November 1, 2003. The organization is operated by Thomas and Patricia Williams, who married on September 18, 2000. At the time that this photograph was taken in January 2012, these suites were vacant.
Rock, Adam
Original color digital images by Adam Rock, January 23, 2012.
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES of Central Florida</a>
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Georgetown, Sanford, Florida
210-216 South Sanford Avenue
Sanford (Fla.)
Georgetown (Sanford, Fla.)
Churches--Florida
The lots located at 210-216 South Sanford Avenue in the Georgetown<span><span>, an historic African-American neighborhood in</span></span> Sanford, Florida. The earliest known occupant of Suite 210 was City Shoe Shop Repairs from approximately 1926 to 1965. By 1975, Sanford Long Rifle Shoppe was occupying this location. At the time that this photograph was taken in January 2012, this suite was housing Winnowing Church, led by Pastor Jesse Covington. By December 2013, the building was being occupied by Under the Sun Ministries. <br /><br /> Grocer and Italian immigrant Batista Ceresoli was the first known occupant of Suite 212 in 1947. In 1952, Ceresoli's wife, Carolina C. Ceresoli, who was also a grocer, was listed at this address. The Ceresolis and their son, Martin Q. Ceresoli, moved to Central Florida from Barre, Vermont, in 1919. The family also owned C & C Liquor Store, which was located at 312 South Sanford Avenue, from approximately 1947 to 1965 and later at 326 South Sanford Avenue in 1975. Martin owned the liquor store until his death on January 27, 1997. By 1965, Suite 212 was being occupied by The Used Clothes Thrift Store. <br /><br />Ceresoli was also the earliest known occupant of Suite 214 from approximately 1924 to1926. Ceresoli moved his business to Suite 212 by 1947. In that same year, Suite 214 was housing the Stanley-Rogers Hardware Company, which had previously been located at 204 South Sanford Avenue in 1926. Goodwill Industries Bargain Store was listed at this address in 1965 and Lu Harriett's Variety Store was listed here in 1975. <br /><br /> At the time that this photograph was taken, Suites 212 and 214 were vacant and Suite 216 was occupied by La Chic Styzle Inc., a full-service salon.
Rock, Adam
Original color digital images by Adam Rock, January 23, 2012.
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES of Central Florida</a>
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Georgetown, Sanford, Florida
202-204 South Sanford Avenue
Sanford (Fla.)
African Americans--Florida
Georgetown (Sanford, Fla.)
Restaurants and cafes--Florida
Bars (Drinking establishments)--Florida
The lots located at 202-204 South Sanford Avenue in the Georgetown, an historic African-American neighborhood in Sanford, Florida. The earliest known occupant of 202 South Sanford Avenue was L. L. Daniel, an African American who resided here in 1911. Sanford X-Cel Store Feeds occupied this suite and its adjacent suit in 1947. In 1952, Vodopich Sales & Service Gas & Electric Appliances was listed here at Suite 202. Southern Natural Gas Company later occupied this location from approximately 1965 to 1975. At the time that this photograph was taken in January 2012, the building was housing Moon's Subs. <br /><br /> Maurice Kronen Millinery, a hat shop named after its owner, was the first known occupant of Suite 204 in 1924. In 1926, the Stanley-Rogers Hardware Company was listed at this address, but the company moved to 214 South Sanford Avenue by 1947. Sanford X-Cel Store Feeds was occupied this suite and its adjacent suit in 1947. Rufus L. Harvey, a local plumber, housed his business at this location from approximately 1952 to 1975. By December 2013, West End Trading Company, a restaurant, bar, and club, was operating in both suites.
Rock, Adam
Original color digital image by Adam Rock, January 23, 2012.
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES of Central Florida</a>
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eng
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Georgetown, Sanford, Florida
RICHES Podcast Documentaries, Episode 16: Public History in Central Florida: An Interview with Jean Yothers
Podcasts
Documentaries
Public history
Museums--Florida
Museum curators
Episode 16 of RICHES Podcast Documentaries: Public History in Central Florida: An Interview with Jean Yothers. RICHES Podcast Documentaries are short form narrative documentaries that explore Central Florida history and are locally produced. These podcasts can involve the participation or cooperation of local area partners. <br /><br />Episode 16 explores the field of public history of Central Florida and includes an interview with Jean Yothers, an Orlando native and descendant of a pioneer family. Yothers has dedicated nearly 40 years to promoting an interest in Central Florida history, both at <em>The Orlando Sentinel</em> and at the Orange County Historical Museum, now called the Orange County Regional History Center.
Cohen, Adam
Original 13-minute and 24-second podcast by Adam Cohen, October 17, 2011: "RICHES Podcast Documentaries, Episode 16: Public History in Central Florida: An Interview with Jean Yothers." <a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/podcastsblog.php" target="_blank">RICHES Podcast Documentaries</a>, Orlando, Florida.
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES of Central Florida</a>
Yothers, Jean
audio/mp3
eng
Sound/Podcast
The Orlando Sentinel, Orlando, Florida
Orange County Historical Museum, Downtown Orlando, Florida