Mayor William Beardall hard at work in his office (1890-1984). Beardall served as Mayor of Orlando from 1940 to 1952. Mayor Beardall made improvements to Orlando International Airport by expanding upon it and creating a larger terminal. Progress in the city’s sewer system was guided by Mayor Beardall along with improved street paving and a new incinerator plant.
Original black and white photograph: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Orlando City Hall, Downtown Orlando, Florida
The City of Orlando acquired a new city hall in 1958. Situated at the corner of South Orange Avenue and South Street in Downtown Orlando, the 1958 city was located very close to where the current city hall stands. The 1958 city hall was a large eight-story upgrade from the previous city hall. Prior to 1924, the city government offices were housed in the former building for the Orlando Public School. In 1924, city hall was relocated and the Orlando Police Department (OPD) took over the old school building. The 1958 city hall was imploded 1991 for the filming of Lethal Weapon 3. The current Orlando City Hall was built on the same lot, with its signature dome roof while being overshadowed by large skyscrapers in the heart of Downtown Orlando at the corner of Orange Avenue and South Street.
Original black and white photographic print, 1958: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
McElroy Apartments was originally a building owned by Sylvan McElroy Sr., whose family was one of the first settlers in Orlando, Florida, arriving in 1881. McElroy attended Rollins Academy (present-day Rollins College) in Winter Park, the Stetson University in DeLand, and received his medical degree from a medical school in Maryland. He opened his medical practice in 1908, and was a founder of the Orange General Hospital, now known as the Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC). Prior to 1926, he hired designer George Krug, who was well known for his Colonial Revival-style architecture, to help build his new apartment building on Orange Avenue, two blocks north of Lake Lucerne. In the early 1960s, after McElroy, passed away, the City of Orlando bought the property and demolished the apartments, in order to build a parking garage for Orlando Utilities. Today, the garage belongs to the International Restaurant &amp
McElroy Apartments, Downtown Orlando, Florida
The Orlando Police Department (OPD) motor patrol in 1948, with Lieutenant Vernon "Bulldog" Rogers in the center. The OPD was established in 1875, the same year Orlando became incorporated into a city with only 22 votes. The motor patrol was first created during the 1930s with the purchase of four patrol cars and a motorcycle in 1934. Lt. Rodgers was the first officer in the department to ride the OPD's 1200cc front-end Harley Davidson.
Original black and white photograph, 1948: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Orlando Police Department, Orlando City Hall, Downtown Orlando, Florida
A key to the city of Orlando. The size of the key represents the importance of the key. The "Key to the City" tradition comes from the medieval "Freedom of the City" tradition. The recipient of this key or this honor received the privilege to enter or leave the city whenever he or she wanted. In the past, cities only gave this honor to its military personnel and its outstanding civilians. In today's world, cities give it to its people and others who are not residents, but have a strong connection with the city. This is the highest honor that a person can receive from a city. There is usually a ceremony when this honor is being given to someone. Musicians, sportsmen, and actors have been chosen to receive this award time to time in the distant past. The mayor is often the person who presents the key to the recipient in the United States.
Original key: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Buttons from the Orlando Steam Laundry in Downtown Orlando, Florida. Originally called Mann Laundry, the business was first located on East Pine Street. The laundry was later purchased by I. N. Burman and J. N. Wigfall, Jr. in 1919, who renamed it the Orlando Steam Laundry and moved the business to 43 West Concord Avenue. In 1923, the company was sold to a stock company. Orlando Steam Laundry went out of business in April of 1975. Its last known address is 1705 Depauw Avenue.
Original buttons: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
This painting highlights notable businesses and the Orlando City Hall located in Downtown Orlando, Florida in 1951. Featured in the piece is South Street and the South West Corner of Boone Street. At the center of the piece is the Orlando City Hall which was constructed in 1906 originally to serve as the Orlando Public School. On the right is the headquarters of the American Fire and Casualty Company, which is the only distinguishable business in the piece. In 1951, visitors would have seen many flourishing businesses such as Howard's Grocery Company, Borden Dairy, Orlando Linen Service, as well as the Dixie Sales and Service Garage. The piece was painted by artist Jim Stoll in conjunction with Orlando Remembered.
Original oil painting by Jim Stoll: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Howard Grocery Company, Downtown Orlando, Florida
Orlando Linen Service, Downtown Orlando, Florida
Borden's Dairy, Downtown Orlando, Florida
Dixie Sales & Service, Downtown Orlando, Florida
Joe Croy's Filling Station, Downtown Orlando, Florida
Enzor's Pharmacy, Downtown Orlando, Florida
American First & Casualty Company, Downtown Orlando, Florida
The keys to the Orlando City Council chambers. The key was the only key that would unlock the door to the Council chambers. The key opened a pin tumbler lock, which had five pins that responded when depressed by the key. This type of key format was patented in 1851. Attached to the chain is a disc that was more than likely designed to prevent theft, as well as to prevent the key from getting lost as it was the only key that could open the council chambers. It is likely that this key was the original used in the city hall built in 1958, which remained in use until 1991.
A bottle for storing medicine used by pharmacists in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many glass bottles were manufactured and embossed with information, such as the store address, name of the doctor or prescription, etc. The bottles were not restricted by any of the properties of the medicine, and thousands of glass bottles were produced. Pharmacies like Enzor's Pharmacy sold medicine in bottles like these from their opening through the Great Depression and into the modern era until plastic bottles came into production. Also known as Enzor's Drug Store and Restaurant, Enzor's was located on the block as the original Orlando City Hall in Downtown Orlando, Florida. Enzor's opened in the old Avalon Hotel in 1925 and then reopened when the old building was razed and replaced in 1956. The pharmacy was named after William Enzor, who owned the business in the 1940s. In 1983, the business was bought by James J. Rowlison and became Rowlinson's Restaurant.
Original medicine bottles: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Mayor Bob Carr at the First Orlando City Council Meeting in the New Orlando City Hall
Mayor Bob Carr (1899-1967) at the first Orlando City Council meeting in the new 1958 Orlando City Hall in Downtown Orlando, Florida. Photographed, from left to right, are: Grace Avera, council secretary; William G. Stewart, city clerk; A. B. Herndon, Director of Public Works; George A. Baker, councilman; Claude R. Edwards (ca. 1922-2002), who later became a judge for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida; Mayor Carr; W. M. Sanderlin (b. ca. 1925), councilman; Wilbur H. Strickland; J. Edward Greaves, Director of Finance, and John G. Baker, city attorney. The city hall was built in 1958 and was later demolished in 1991. Mayor Carr was mayor when the greatest growth took place in Orlando with Walt Disney (1901-1966) announcing plans to build the Walt Disney World Resort just outside the city. In 1967, Mayor Carr died from a heart attack while still in office.
Original color photographic print: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy and Mayor J. Rolfe Davis at Pinecastle Air Force Base
Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy (1905-1957), commanding officer of Pinecastle Air Force Base, with J. Rolfe Davis (1904-1988), who served as Mayor of Orlando from 1953 to 1956, at Pinecastle AFB in Orlando, Florida. Col. McCoy died in a flight demonstration of a Boeing B-47 Stratojet. The bomber had a faulty wing and crashed north of Orlando. As a result, Pinecastle Air Force Base became, McCoy Air Force Base to honor the memory of Col. McCoy. In 1974, McCoy AFB officially closed. What used to be McCoy Air Force Base is now Orlando International Airport. Some of the base property went to private companies for research purposes.
Pinecastle Air Force Base, Orlando, Florida
The cornerstone commemorative brick of the Orlando City Hall in Downtown Orlando, Florida. From 1906 to 1924, this brick was part of Orlando Public School, located at 1 West Jackson Street. In 1922, the school was moved to a new building and Orlando City Hall and the Orlando Police Department (OPD) was moved to the old school building in 1924. In 1958, it became headquarters for the OPD and city hall was moved to a new building at 400 South Orange Avenue. On February 28, 1972, when Carl T. Langford (1918-2011) was the mayor, the cornerstone was removed for commemoration.
Original commemorative brick: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Orlando Public School, Downtown Orlando, Florida
Orlando Police Department, Downtown Orlando, Florida
A railroad spike from the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL). This railroad spike most likely came from the discontinued lines in the Orlando-Sanford area of Florida. These railways were in use from 1902 to 1967 when the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (SCL) was formed and took control of the former ACL tracks. The railways were a main mode of transporting goods in Central Florida, until the roads were paved with the economic boom of the post-World War II era. These railroads helped the cattle, dairy, and citrus industry thrive in Central Florida and help create the economic boom in post-war years.
Original railroad spike: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Three items are from the Howard's Grocery Store, which most likely came from the location at 4200 South Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando, Florida, between 1930 and 1980. The company has been in operation since its founding in 1912 by Julian Howard. While it is labeled as a grocery store, it is in fact a wholesale warehouse which would supply the local restaurants and grocery stores with the products requested. The other two items seem in the image are a food label for Howard's Grocery's brand of spaghetti sauce and a receipt from for a restaurant named Emerick Cafe, which ordered supplies from Howard's Grocery.
Original black and white photograph, 1912: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Original food label: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Original sales receipt, June 6, 1940: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
The newly constructed Orlando City Hall in Downtown Orlando, Florida, as it looked in 1958 upon its completion. Located on the southwest corner of South Orange Avenue and South Street, construction of the new city hall began in 1956 with the building fully operational two years later. Under the administration of Mayor William Beardall (1890-1984), plans for the construction of a newer and larger city hall had been in the works since as early as 1950, with the city received an advanced grant of $28,500 for what would eventually become a $1,052,500 facility. Totaling a span of 85,000 square feet, the building was eight stories high with the infrastructure required for the possibility of an additional six floors. Designed by architect Richard Boone Rogers, it would go on to replace the old Orlando Public School Building on South Orange Avenue as the main residence for the city government. The Orlando Public School Building had served as Orlando’s City Hall since 1924. On October 24, 1991, the building would be imploded to make way for the current city hall. The moment of implosion was captured on film and the footage of the blast famously used in the 1992 film Lethal Weapon 3.
Original 9 x 11 inch black and white photographic print, 1958: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
The cover from the October 1986 issue of the Central Florida magazine, which highlights the economic boom in Orlando, Florida, under Mayor Bill Frederick (b. 1934), who served as mayor from 1980 to 1992. The growing city was, during this time, facing numerous internal issues, including an inadequate sewage system, heavy traffic, and a congested metropolitan center that locals worried was detracting from the beauty of the city. Mayor Frederick was considered instrumental in implementing many structural and economic reforms from a new transportation system to the construction of major city landmarks. During his time in office, Mayor Frederick would be responsible for several major renovations, including the refurbishment of Lake Eola, the expansion of Orlando International Airport, and the erection of a new city hall. A strong supporter of education and the arts, Mayor Frederick would also work to improve public schools for the city and go on to lay the foundation necessary for the construction of what would eventually become Central Florida’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Original magazine: Central Florida Magazine, October 1986: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Central Florida Magazine
Orlando International Airport, Orlando, Florida
Home under construction on Silver Drive in Downtown Orlando, Florida. During the 1950s and 1960s, Orlando underwent one of the biggest building booms within its history. The 1952 census of the city registered a total of 18,513 housing units within Orlando, an increase of over 6,262 new structures since the last census in 1940. New construction companies, such as Phillips Properties began building up large residential areas throughout the city, many of which still stand today. The houses of Silver Drive, which were predominantly constructed during the early 1950s, were one such example and showcases the scale of these developmental projects.
Digital reproduction of original 11 x 6 inch black and white photographic print: "The homes on Silver Drive under construction, circa 1950." Orlando Memory. http://www.orlandomemory.info/sites/default/files/styles/full_size_image/public/image_files/SD.jpeg?itok=oKgajgYL.
Silver Drive, College Park, Orlando, Florida
Mayor Carl T. Langford with Orlando Chief of Police Bob Chewning
Mayor Carl T. Langford (1918-2011) and Chief of Police Robert Joseph Chewning (b. 1923) with the Orlando Police Department (OPD). Mayor Langford is pictured third from the left in the first row and Chief Bob Chewning is the fourth from the left. Mayor Langford was elected as Orlando's 29th mayor in 1967 when his predecessor, Mayor Bob Carr (1899-1967), died in office. Mayor Langford served for over a decade as Orlando's mayor from 1967 to 1980. He helped foster Orlando's growth from a boom town in the middle of the 20th century. As one of his first acts as mayor, Mayor Langford appointed Chewning as OPD Chief of Police in 1967. Chief Chewning has previously served on the mayor’s inaugural staff and he retired as the city’s Director of Public Safety in 1976.
An aerial view of Orlando City Hall in Downtown Orlando, Florida, in the 1960s or 1970s. Along with city hall, several other buildings are viewable in the background, namely the American Fire and Casualty Company. The photograph is titled "This is Orlando" and contains no publishing information, dates, or discernible origin. At the bottom of the photograph, there is a sentence highlighting the cities desirable parking situation and convenient size. Accompanying this image is a plaque transcribed with a quote by Ormund Powers, whose words highlight the change the city was experiencing during that time. Powers was a journalist for The Orlando Sentinel whose career spanned seven decades.
Original black and white photographic print: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
American Fire and Casualty Company, Downtown Orlando, Florida
Glenn L. Martin Company Plant Construction
The original Martin Company plant during its construction. The site was located on Orange Blossom Trail and Sand Lake Road, about four miles south of in Orlando, Florida. The Martin Company purchased the land from the City of Orlando in 1956 for almost two million dollars. The Martin Company was a missile manufacturer that expanded to the Orlando area in 1956 to be closer to Cape Canaveral and the heart of the Space Race. While this building was under construction, a temporary building on Elwell Street was used by the Martin Company.
Digital reproduction of original black and white photographic print: "The Glenn L. Martin Company Plant Site, circa 1957." Orlando Memory. http://orlandomemory.info/memory/image/glenn-l-martin-company-plant-site-circa-1957.
Glenn L. Martin Company, Orlando, Florida
Temporary Glenn L. Martin Company Facility
A temporary building on Elwell Street used by the Martin Company while the company's main plant was being constructed on Orange Blossom Trail and Sand Lake Road in Orlando, Florida. The Martin Company was a missile manufacturer that expanded to the Orlando area in 1956 to be closer to Cape Canaveral and the heart of the Space Race. This building was previously used as a facility for the U.S. Army Air Corps and was located at the Orlando International Airport. The building remained in use by the Martin Company for several years after the completion of their main plant, which was located about four miles south of Orange Blossom Trail.
Digital reproduction of original black and white photographic print: "Martin Orlando Engineering Facility on Elwell Street in 1957." Orlando Memory. http://www.orlandomemory.info/sites/default/files/styles/full_size_image/public/image_files/MartinOrlandoElwellStreet.jpg?itok=yVLJfzUK.
Orlando City Hall in Downtown Orlando, Florida, as it appeared from 1958 to 1991. The building was located on the corner of South Street and Orange Avenue and acted as the place of governance for the growing Orlando area. The painting was created by James Stoll and is paired with the Orlando Remembered Exhibit located in the Orlando City Hall Building, located at 400 South Orange Avenue. The 1958 city hall was designed by Richard Boone Rogers and constructed by the C. A. Finland Company of Tampa. Dedicated on October 3, 1958, the building was faced with Tennessee marble, Minnesota granite and terrazzo stones. The Orlando Utilities Commission was located within the building from 1958 to 1967, when it moved into a $3.5 million building at 500 South Orange Ave. The Orlando Police Department (OPD) remained in the previous city hall building, which was the original Orlando Public School, across the street. In January of 1972, OPD and the city jail relocated to the Municipal Justice Building at 100 South Hughey Avenue.
Maximum Occupancy Sign at Orlando City Hall
The sign depicts the maximum occupancy for the Orlando City Council Chambers within the Orlando City Hall in Downtown Orlando, Florida. The building was located on the corner of South Street and Orange Avenue and acted as the place of governance for the growing Orlando area. The sign was created to maintain the fire safety codes which used the number of exits, as one of the fire protection features, to determine the maximum occupancy of a room. This was following the scramble for fire safety in 1956 when more than 713 calls were made concerning fires and costs overwhelming damaging the city’s wallet at an estimated overall cost of more than $300,000. City Council’s involvement with the firefighters in the city saw huge improvement in 1954 when the council approved a salary raise for the workers.
Original sign: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
The fire alarm for the fire safety system in the 1958 Orlando City Hall in Downtown Orlando, Florida. The building was located on the corner of South Street and Orange Avenue and acted as the place of governance for the growing Orlando area. The fire alarm allowed the building to fit into the newly formulated fire safety regulations, acting as one of the fire protection features. This was following the scramble for fire safety in 1956 when more than 713 calls were made concerning fires and costs overwhelming damaging the city’s wallet at an estimated overall cost of more than $300,000. City Council’s involvement with the firefighters in the city saw huge improvement in 1954 when the council approved a salary raise for the workers.
Original fire alarm: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Mayor Carl T. Langford's Small Key to the City of Orlando
The small city key presented to Mayor Carl T. Langford (1918-2011). Mayor Langford later presented this key to George Hill in 1973. Little information is known on who George Hill was or why he was being honor with a key to the city. Langford was elected to the Office of Mayor on March 7, 1967, to fill the vacancy left when Mayor Bob Carr (1899-1967) died in office. Mayor Langford served through 1980. He was a businessman who strived to follow the code of the City of Orlando and enforce all laws as they were stated. Mayor Langford played a significant role in expanding Orlando with the installation of the Orlando International Airport, which is his main legacy. He also served as mayor during the Civil Rights Movement and played a role in integrating the city. Mayor Langford created a program to help African Americans pass the required written exam to enter the police academy and he also created a policy that allowed African Americans to become firemen, which made Orlando the first city in the state of Florida to have African American firefighters.
A Minnesota Twins baseball cap. The Minnesota Twins have been part of the history of Orlando, Florida, since 1936. Originally, this baseball club was founded in 1901 as the Washington Senators. The Washington Senators spent 34 years in 11 different locations for spring training before finally coming to Orlando in 1936. From 1936 to 1942, the team played preseason games at Tinker Field. In 1943, the Senators moved to College Park, Maryland, through 1945, before returning to Tinker Field in 1946. In 1960, the team owner Calvin Griffith (1911-1999) moved his team home to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and they officially became the Minnesota Twins. The team continued spring training in Orlando until 1990.
Original baseball cap: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
Orlando Steam Laundry Company and Dixie Sales & Service
The Orlando Steam Laundry Company, located at 43 West Concord Avenue, and Dixie Kuhr’s Dixie Sales & Service in Orlando, Florida. Orlando Steam Laundry Co. was first established in 1900 and was officially incorporated on January 1, 1923. While originally located on Concord Ave., the company later moved to 1705 Depauw Avenue. The president was Arthur H. Hillman, the Treasurer was Bernard D. Sommers, and the Director was Sally A. Hillman. The company is no longer in business, as it shut its doors on April 16, 1975. Orlando Steam Laundry Company was a model of efficiency. Each bundle of laundry was sorted by fabric and color before being sent to the battery of washers, where each customer’s laundry was kept separate by nets and put into compartments. The clothes would be washed and the water would be removed by centrifugal extractors that were so gentle that they would not damage a single button. Rollers would finish the work to keep everything flat and then the clothes would be sent to a specific finishing machine for every different type of article of clothing. From here, they would be boxed up and sent back out to the people on one of their service cars.
Orlando Steam Laundry Company, Downtown Orlando, Florida
A model of a B-52G bomber plane from McCoy Air Force Base. The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long range, heavy bomber that entered military service in 1955. The primary role and purpose of the B-52 was strategic bombing and nuclear deterrence; two roles that were essential for a Cold War bomber. From 1952 to 1962, Boeing Company produced 744 B-52s. Out of those 744 B-52s built, 193 were G models. In 1961, McCoy Air Force Base in Orlando, Florida, acquired the B-52. McCoy Air Force base was a key strategic base for the U.S. Air Force’s Strategic Air Command (SAC). SAC was in charge of all strategic bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles within the continental United States. With the B-52 located at such a strategic Air Force base, it was capable of performing one of its main roles, nuclear deterrence.
Original model airplane: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall/a&gt
The Orlando City Hall in Downtown Orlando, Florida, in the 1960s or 1970s. During that same decade, Orlando experienced a population boom. Due to this increase in population, the city needed to expand its public buildings to accommodate the changes that were happening in the city. Prior to the construction of the fourth city hall, pictured here, the municipal government officers were housed on the top floor of the Armory Building on Jefferson Street and Orange Avenue. The Orlando Public School was built in 1906 on Jackson Street and Orange Avenue. It served its purpose as a school until the year 1922. In 1924, the City of Orlando bought the school for $115,000 and moved city hall into the empty building. Along with city hall being located here, the Orlando Police Department (OPD) and the city jail were located in the basement.
Mayor Carl T. Langford's (1918-2011) gavel, which was used to bring Orlando City Council meetings to order. The gavel is made of wood, with a metal ring attaching the handle to the head of the gavel. Mayor Langford shepherded Orlando, Florida, through a period of rapid growth due to the opening of Walt Disney World in 1917. He served as mayor from 1967 to 1980, and was known for his sense of humor and personable behavior. Mayor Langford is responsible for converting McCoy Air Force Base, which housed B-52 strategic bombers, into Orlando International Airport, which is his lasting legacy on the city.
Original gavel: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Mayor Bob Carr (1899-1967), who served as the Mayor of Orlando, Florida, from 1956 to 1967. Mayor Carr is best known for being the first mayor in Orlando to promote civil rights while in office. He was also the first mayor to hire minority police officers to the Orlando Police Department (OPD) and established the Biracial Committee. Before he was mayor, Carr was an active businessman for 30 years in the city of Orlando, and was responsible for establishing the first Community Chest in 1938. He was a also member of the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. Mayor Carr died while in office.
Florida Historical Quarterly, Episode 28: Vol. 94, No. 3, Winter 2016
This podcast features an interview with Dr. James G. Cusick, the curator of the P. K. Yonge Library of Florida History at the University of Florida Library and author of The Other War of 1812: The Patriot War and the American Invasion of Spanish East Florida, published by the University of Georgia Press. He edited the special issue on the first part of the 19th century. In this podcast, Dr. Cusick discusses the authors and articles that appear in this issue.
Original 27-minute and 9-second audio podcast by Daniel S. Murphree, 2016: The Florida Historical Quarterly, Florida Historical Society, Cocoa, Florida.
The Florida Historical Quarterly
Florida Historical Society
University of Central Florida, Department of History
Andersonville Prison, Andersonville, Georgia
Florida Historical Quarterly, Episode 29: Vol. 94, No. 4, Spring 2016
This podcast features an interview with Brad Massey, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Florida, about his article on the Florida phosphate industry and the political controversy surrounding its arrangement with the Soviet Union in 1974.
Original 24-minute and 18-second audio podcast by Daniel S. Murphree, 2016: The Florida Historical Quarterly, Florida Historical Society, Cocoa, Florida.
The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green, August 31, 1994
The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green comic from the inaugural issue of The Watermark, published on August 31, 1994. The comic strip was created by Eric Orner, an openly gay cartoonist, and centered around Ethan Green, a gay man trying to balance work with love. The comic was first published in 1989 and ran for 15 years before it was retired. The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green was also adapted into film in 2005. Since 1994, The Watermark has been the cornerstone source of LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) centered news for the Central Florida region. Founded by Tom Dyer in Orlando, the publication began generating bi-weekly issues beginning August 31, 1994. Since then, The Watermark has consistently published newspaper-style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, The Watermark became a permanent piece of LGBTQ+ culture when the publication initiated the first large-scale Gay Days Weekend event, the Beach Ball at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Before 1999, the publication printed 20,000 copies every week, distributing them to over 500 locations between its two major cities. Following 1999, the publication launched watermarkonline.com shifting to an online publication style. In 2016, Rick Claggett purchased The Watermark.
Original newspaper comic strip: Orner, Eric. The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan GreenThe Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 1, August 31, 1994, page 18: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
Watermark Media
A newspaper article about Eric Orner, the openly gay cartoonist who created The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green comic. The comic strip centered around Ethan Green, a gay man trying to balance work with love. The comic was first published in 1989 and ran for 15 years before it was retired. The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green was also adapted into film in 2005. This article, as well as the cartoon, was published in The Watermark, Central Florida's local LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) publication. Since 1994, The Watermark has been the cornerstone source of LGBTQ+ centered news for the Central Florida region. Founded by Tom Dyer in Orlando, the publication began generating bi-weekly issues beginning August 31, 1994. Since then, The Watermark has consistently published newspaper-style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, The Watermark became a permanent piece of LGBTQ+ culture when the publication initiated the first large-scale Gay Days Weekend event, the Beach Ball at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Before 1999, the publication printed 20,000 copies every week, distributing them to over 500 locations between its two major cities. Following 1999, the publication launched watermarkonline.com shifting to an online publication style. In 2016, Rick Claggett purchased The Watermark.
Original newspaper article: Seomin, Scott. "The Mostly Fabulous Eric Orner." The Watermark Waterfront, Vol. 5, No. 4, February 19-March 4, 1998, page 1: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green: Flashback 1976
The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green comic from the inaugural issue of The Watermark, published on September 14, 1994. The comic strip was created by Eric Orner, an openly gay cartoonist, and centered around Ethan Green, a gay man trying to balance work with love. The comic was first published in 1989 and ran for 15 years before it was retired. The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green was also adapted into film in 2005. Since 1994, The Watermark has been the cornerstone source of LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) centered news for the Central Florida region. Founded by Tom Dyer in Orlando, the publication began generating bi-weekly issues beginning September 14, 1994. Since then, The Watermark has consistently published newspaper-style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, The Watermark became a permanent piece of LGBTQ+ culture when the publication initiated the first large-scale Gay Days Weekend event, the Beach Ball at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Before 1999, the publication printed 20,000 copies every week, distributing them to over 500 locations between its two major cities. Following 1999, the publication launched watermarkonline.com shifting to an online publication style. In 2016, Rick Claggett purchased The Watermark.
Original newspaper comic strip: Orner, Eric. The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan GreenThe Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 2, September 14, 1994, page 18: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
Dykes to Watch Out For: Let Them Eat Cake
Dykes to Watch Out For comic from the inaugural issue of The Watermark, published on September 14, 1994. The comic strip was created by Alison Bechdel, an openly gay cartoonist, and centered around the lives of a diverse group of characters, most of whom were lesbians. The comic was first published in 1983 and ran until 2008, when it went on hiatus. Since 1994, The Watermark has been the cornerstone source of LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) centered news for the Central Florida region. Founded by Tom Dyer in Orlando, the publication began generating bi-weekly issues beginning September 14, 1994. Since then, The Watermark has consistently published newspaper-style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, The Watermark became a permanent piece of LGBTQ+ culture when the publication initiated the first large-scale Gay Days Weekend event, the Beach Ball at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Before 1999, the publication printed 20,000 copies every week, distributing them to over 500 locations between its two major cities. Following 1999, the publication launched watermarkonline.com shifting to an online publication style. In 2016, Rick Claggett purchased The Watermark.
Original newspaper comic strip: Bechdel, Alison. Dykes to Watch Out ForThe Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 2, September 14, 1994, page 14: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
A newspaper article about an issue of DC Comics' Green Lantern that would address homophobia. According to the author, the idea for addressing the issue of gay bashing—verbal or physical abuse directed at the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) community—was inspired by the friendship that cartoonist Judd Winick (b. 1970) developed with Pedro Zamora (1972-1994), his openly gay, HIV-positive castmate on MTV's The Real World: San Francisco. This article was published in The Watermark, Central Florida's local LGBTQ+ publication. Since 1994, The Watermark has been the cornerstone source of LGBTQ+ centered news for the Central Florida region. Founded by Tom Dyer in Orlando, the publication began generating bi-weekly issues beginning August 31, 1994. Since then, The Watermark has consistently published newspaper-style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, The Watermark became a permanent piece of LGBTQ+ culture when the publication initiated the first large-scale Gay Days Weekend event, the Beach Ball at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Before 1999, the publication printed 20,000 copies every week, distributing them to over 500 locations between its two major cities. Following 1999, the publication launched watermarkonline.com shifting to an online publication style. In 2016, Rick Claggett purchased The Watermark.
Original newspaper article: Sullivan, John E. "Holy Homophobia!." The Watermark Colors, Vol. 9, No. 19, September 12-25, 2002, page 1: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
Letter from John R. Squire to Mrs. Jerry Boyd (October 12, 1976)
A letter from John R. Squire, the Recreation Planner Supervisor for the Bureau of Plans, Programs, and Services of the Florida Division of Recreation and Parks to Mrs. Jerry Boyd, dated October 12, 1976. In the letter, Squires clarifies the Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program's definitions of land types. Squires quotes the program's definition of "tropical" and "semi-tropical" hammocks, and explains that the Gourd Neck Springs area of Lake Apopka does not meet the qualifications for a tropical hammock. The Environmentally Endangered Lands Program 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 over-see mapping and evaluation of potential sites for acquisition. 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 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.
Photocopy of original 2-page typewritten letter from John R. Squires to Mrs. Jerry Boyd, October 12, 1976: binder 1976, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
The StreamLines, a newsletter published by the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC), for March 1977.This newsletter discusses workshops held by the ECFRPC reviewing financial concerns related to water management, as well as ongoing plans for a drawdown of Lake Apopka, stating that the first phase of the restoration program is due to begin in 1977, and estimates the total cost of the project to be three million dollars. The newsletter also discusses the ECFRPC's 208 Program, a water quality management program aimed at achieving water quality standards mandated by section 208 of the Clean Water Act of 1972. Lake drawdown is a method of environmental restoration that is used to control erosion and aquatic vegetation. Lake drawdown has also been sought as a potential method to lessen the effects of pollution by exposing the lake bed and allowing bottom sediments to dry, trapping pollutants. Opponents of lake drawdowns cite the impact of polluted water on areas downstream of the area being drained, in cases where the targeted lake is connected to a river system. Citrus growers have also opposed drawdowns on the grounds that draining large lakes makes nearby citrus groves more vulnerable to freezes, as lakes help keep temperatures stable throughout the year. Drawdowns of Lake Apopka have been sought by restoration efforts dating back to the 1960s, beginning with the Lake Apopka Restoration Project, organized by Governor Claude R. Kirk Jr. (1926-2011) and headed by C. W. Sheffield. These efforts were delayed and no drawdown was performed by the project. Plans for a drawdown continued to be developed, and federal and state efforts to gather funds and perform feasibility studies began in 1970. An experimental drawdown of Lake Apopka was performed in 1971, lowering the lake level by four feet, but was halted after public fears that wildlife deaths in the area were the result of the drawdown. Drawdown plans continued through the 1970s, but were continually delayed and projected costs for the project rose sharply. The project was cancelled by Governor Bob Graham (b. 1936) in 1979.
Original 4-page typewritten newsletter: StreamLines, March 1977: binder 1977, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
East Central Florida Regional Planning Council
Letter from Gary I. Sharp to the West Orange Chamber of Commerce (May 19, 1977)
A letter from Gary I. Sharp to the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, dated May 19, 1977. In the letter, Sharp states that he is no longer able to continue his efforts to have the Gourd Neck Springs area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a recreational park. Sharp writes that the State of Florida continues to show no interest in the area, and that he is forced to put the parcels of land he owns in the area up for sale. Sharp also mentions nearby parcels owned by Herbert S. Sharp that have been recently sold, but states that the majority of the area is still intact. 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 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.
Original 1-page typewritten letter from Gary I. Sharp to the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, May 19, 1977: binder 1977, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Lake Apopka: A Fact Sheet for Public Meetings
A fact sheet, published by the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (DER), giving a brief timeline of Lake Apopka's environmental history and summarizing key points related to the proposed restoration of the lake. The fact sheet describes the current conditions of the lake, and lists public concerns about the potential impact of the Lake Apopka restoration project. Lake Apopka is one of Florida’s largest lakes and was once considered to be one of the world’s best lakes for bass fishing. The lake’s sport fish population began to decline in the 1960s, with major die-offs occurring almost yearly. The lake’s problems are generally considered to be the result of over-nutrification from various sources. Twenty thousand acres of wetlands bordering the lake’s north shore were drained in the 1940s and used for highly fertile “muck farms.” These farms were routinely flooded to protect the fragile soil, and the fertilizer and pesticide-laden water was then discharged back into the lake prior to each growing season. Other sources of pollution include discharge from citrus processing operations, as well as treated wastewater from sewage plants. The nutrient-rich discharge promoted algae growth in the lake, turning the water to a green color, and blocked sunlight from reaching aquatic vegetation, which provided food and habit to the lake’s fish population. The lake’s bottom soil became increasingly “mucky,” also disrupting aquatic vegetation from taking root. Restoration work on the lake began in the 1960s with attempts by various agencies to remove “trash fish,” such as gizzard shad, from the lake via seining, which would hopefully allow the lake’s sportfish to thrive. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council, an initiative formed under Governor Claude Kirk (1926-2011) in 1967, launched several studies to find methods to improve the lake, though no serious action was taken. Various methods were debated to restore the lake through the 1970s and 1980s, including “drawdown,” which entailed completely draining the lake to allow the mucky bottom to consolidate. Restoration attempts were stalled for lack of funding and research. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council was reformed in 1985 under Governor Bob Graham (b. 1936), and, in 1987, the Surface Water and Improvement Management Act was passed. Together, these actions allowed comprehensive restoration plans to take shape, such as the Marsh Flow-way, a project by the St John’s Water Management District that uses natural methods to remove nutrients from the lake. The Friends of Lake Apopka, a citizen environmental advocacy group, began to push for further restoration efforts in the 1990s. The lake’s north shore muck farms were eventually purchased by the State of Florida, helping to reduce the amount of nutrient entering the lake.
Original 2-page document, 1978: binder 1978, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Florida Department of Environmental Regulation
Water Resources Restoration and Preservation Program Projects
A document describing the formation of the Water Resources Restoration and Preservation program (WRR&P) within the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (DER), as mandated by legislation passed by the Florida Legislature on July 1, 1977. The document also lists 12 restoration projects, both completed and underway, by the program, and gives updates on the Lake Apopka Restoration Project, including the proposed drawdown of Lake Apopka. Additionally, the document states that work on an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), as required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was started in March of 1978 and was scheduled to be completed by early 1979. Finally, the document describes public involvement efforts by the program, including a public meeting held in Eustis on March 7, 1978. Lake Apopka is one of Florida’s largest lakes and was once considered to be one of the world’s best lakes for bass fishing. The lake’s sport fish population began to decline in the 1960s, with major die-offs occurring almost yearly. The lake’s problems are generally considered to be the result of over-nutrification from various sources. Twenty thousand acres of wetlands bordering the lake’s north shore were drained in the 1940s and used for highly fertile “muck farms.” These farms were routinely flooded to protect the fragile soil, and the fertilizer and pesticide-laden water was then discharged back into the lake prior to each growing season. Other sources of pollution include discharge from citrus processing operations, as well as treated wastewater from sewage plants. The nutrient-rich discharge promoted algae growth in the lake, turning the water to a green color, and blocked sunlight from reaching aquatic vegetation, which provided food and habit to the lake’s fish population. The lake’s bottom soil became increasingly “mucky,” also disrupting aquatic vegetation from taking root. Restoration work on the lake began in the 1960s with attempts by various agencies to remove “trash fish,” such as gizzard shad, from the lake via seining, which would hopefully allow the lake’s sportfish to thrive. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council, an initiative formed under Governor Claude Kirk (1926-2011) in 1967, launched several studies to find methods to improve the lake, though no serious action was taken. Various methods were debated to restore the lake through the 1970s and 1980s, including “drawdown,” which entailed completely draining the lake to allow the mucky bottom to consolidate. Restoration attempts were stalled for lack of funding and research. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council was reformed in 1985 under Governor Bob Graham (b. 1936), and, in 1987, the Surface Water and Improvement Management Act was passed. Together, these actions allowed comprehensive restoration plans to take shape, such as the Marsh Flow-way, a project by the St John’s Water Management District that uses natural methods to remove nutrients from the lake. The Friends of Lake Apopka, a citizen environmental advocacy group, began to push for further restoration efforts in the 1990s. The lake’s north shore muck farms were eventually purchased by the State of Florida, helping to reduce the amount of nutrient entering the lake.
Original 2-page typewritten document, 1978: binder 1978, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Map of Zellwood Drainage and Water Control District Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2
A map that identifies pump stations, canals, and allotments within Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2 of the Zellwood Drainage and Water Control District (ZDWCD), which was created by the Florida Legislature in 1941 for taxation and land management of farming areas on the north shore of Lake Apopka. The district was granted powers of self-taxation and permitted to construct canals, bridges, and dikes in the area. The north shore farms were constructed on "muck land" created by the drainage of wetlands bordering Lake Apopka. The soil in these areas, often called "muck soil," is highly fertile and vulnerable to oxidation. The ZDWCD was permitted to routinely flood farmlands, when not in use, in order to keep the soil wet and preventing its loss to oxidation. These lands would then be drained before each growing season and this water was discharged back into Lake Apopka. Practices like these were considered to contribute to the pollution of Lake Apopka, with the discharge of fertilizer-rich water creating conditions of “eutrophication” in the lake and promoting the growth of harmful algae. The Friends of Lake Apopka (FOLA), a citizen advocacy group organized for the environmental restoration of Lake Apopka in the early 1990s, lobbied for increased restrictions on the district’s ability to utilize water from Lake Apopka. These efforts culminated in a buyout of the Zellwood Drainage and Water Control District farmlands by the State of Florida in 1998, and farming operations ceased in June of that year. The ZDWCD was dissolved by the Florida Legislature in September of 2000.
Photocopy of original map, 1979: binder 1979, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from John R. Dollar to W. R. Clonts (December 10, 1979)
A letter from John R. Dollar to W. R. Clonts, dated December 10, 1979. In this letter, Dollar the Project Manager for Post, Buckley, Shuch & Jernigan Inc., writes to Clonts, a farmer in the Zellwood Drainage and Water Control District (ZDWCD), to inform him of changes made by the Orange County Pollution Control Board to the district's usage of water from Lake Apopka. The changes include monitoring requirements for various pumps used by the ZDWCD, such as fuel usage and water quality sampling. The Zellwood Drainage and Water Control District was created by the Florida Legislature in 1941 for taxation and land management of farming areas on the north shore of Lake Apopka. The district was granted powers of self-taxation and permitted to construct canals, bridges, and dikes in the area. The north shore farms were constructed on "muck land" created by the drainage of wetlands bordering Lake Apopka. The soil in these areas, often called "muck soil," is highly fertile and vulnerable to oxidation. The ZDWCD was permitted to routinely flood farmlands, when not in use, in order to keep the soil wet and preventing its loss to oxidation. These lands would then be drained before each growing season and this water was discharged back into Lake Apopka. Practices like these were considered to contribute to the pollution of Lake Apopka, with the discharge of fertilizer-rich water creating conditions of “eutrophication” in the lake and promoting the growth of harmful algae. The Friends of Lake Apopka (FOLA), a citizen advocacy group organized for the environmental restoration of Lake Apopka in the early 1990s, lobbied for increased restrictions on the district’s ability to utilize water from Lake Apopka. These efforts culminated in a buyout of the Zellwood Drainage and Water Control District farmlands by the State of Florida in 1998, and farming operations ceased in June of that year. The ZDWCD was dissolved by the Florida Legislature in September of 2000.
Original 2-page typewritten letter from John R. Dollar to W. R. Clonts, December 10, 1979: binder 1979, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Andy Ireland to Harold L. Moody (June 17, 1981)
A letter from U.S. Representative Andy Ireland (b. 1930) to Harold L. Moody, fisheries biologist with the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission (GFC), dated June 17, 1981. In the letter, Rep. Ireland discusses his co-sponsorship of House Resolution 38, which would create an Ad Hoc Committee for Water Resources. Rep. Ireland states that water management programs suffer from mismanagement and lack of coordination at the state and federal levels. He also states that as of the time of writing, there were 12 panels and 29 subcommittees in the U.S. House of Representatives and 10 committees and 21 subcommittees in the U.S. Senate that each deal with water management. Rep. Ireland's proposed Ad Hoc Committee on Water Resources would work towards a coordinated policy at the national level. Although the letter does not state so explicitly, it was likely written in reference to Lake Apopka, which is one of Florida’s largest lakes and was once considered to be one of the world’s best lakes for bass fishing. The lake’s sport fish population began to decline in the 1960s, with major die-offs occurring almost yearly. The lake’s problems are generally considered to be the result of over-nutrification from various sources. Twenty thousand acres of wetlands bordering the lake’s north shore were drained in the 1940s and used for highly fertile “muck farms.” These farms were routinely flooded to protect the fragile soil, and the fertilizer and pesticide-laden water was then discharged back into the lake prior to each growing season. Other sources of pollution include discharge from citrus processing operations, as well as treated wastewater from sewage plants. The nutrient-rich discharge promoted algae growth in the lake, turning the water to a green color, and blocked sunlight from reaching aquatic vegetation, which provided food and habit to the lake’s fish population. The lake’s bottom soil became increasingly “mucky,” also disrupting aquatic vegetation from taking root. Restoration work on the lake began in the 1960s with attempts by various agencies to remove “trash fish,” such as gizzard shad, from the lake via seining, which would hopefully allow the lake’s sportfish to thrive. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council, an initiative formed under Governor Claude Kirk (1926-2011) in 1967, launched several studies to find methods to improve the lake, though no serious action was taken. Various methods were debated to restore the lake through the 1970s and 1980s, including “drawdown,” which entailed completely draining the lake to allow the mucky bottom to consolidate. Restoration attempts were stalled for lack of funding and research. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council was reformed in 1985 under Governor Bob Graham (b. 1936), and, in 1987, the Surface Water and Improvement Management Act was passed. Together, these actions allowed comprehensive restoration plans to take shape, such as the Marsh Flow-way, a project by the St John’s Water Management District that uses natural methods to remove nutrients from the lake. The Friends of Lake Apopka, a citizen environmental advocacy group, began to push for further restoration efforts in the 1990s. The lake’s north shore muck farms were eventually purchased by the State of Florida, helping to reduce the amount of nutrient entering the lake.
Original 1-page typewritten letter from Andy Ireland to Harold L. Moody, June 17, 1981: binder 1981, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from William E. Johnson to Dennis Holcomb (July7, 1981)
A letter from William E. Johnson to Dennis Holcomb, dated July7, 1981. Enclosed with the letter is a report by Johnson, a biologist with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (GFC) regarding a fish kill in Lake Apopka that occurred in June of 1981. The report states that the fish kill was first reported on June 20, and described as "massive" by Holcomb, who was also a fisheries biologist with the GFC. Sample counts of areas of the fish kill estimate that the fish kill totaled 18 million fish, primarily gizzard and threadfin shad. The report also states that no largemouth bass were present in the kill, and it is assumed that none are present in the lake at the time of writing. 15-20 Sunshine bass were observed. Sunshine bass are a hybrid bass used to artificially stock lakes, and Lake Apopka was stocked with Sunshine bass fingerlings in May of 1981. The report concludes, based on water samples, that the fish kill was a result of oxygen depletion after a period of above-average temperatures and stormy weather conditions. Water quality data from the samples are also attached. Lake Apopka is one of Florida’s largest lakes and was once considered to be one of the world’s best lakes for bass fishing. The lake’s sport fish population began to decline in the 1960s, with major die-offs occurring almost yearly. The lake’s problems are generally considered to be the result of over-nutrification from various sources. Twenty thousand acres of wetlands bordering the lake’s north shore were drained in the 1940s and used for highly fertile “muck farms.” These farms were routinely flooded to protect the fragile soil, and the fertilizer and pesticide-laden water was then discharged back into the lake prior to each growing season. Other sources of pollution include discharge from citrus processing operations, as well as treated wastewater from sewage plants. The nutrient-rich discharge promoted algae growth in the lake, turning the water to a green color, and blocked sunlight from reaching aquatic vegetation, which provided food and habit to the lake’s fish population. The lake’s bottom soil became increasingly “mucky,” also disrupting aquatic vegetation from taking root. Restoration work on the lake began in the 1960s with attempts by various agencies to remove “trash fish,” such as gizzard shad, from the lake via seining, which would hopefully allow the lake’s sportfish to thrive. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council, an initiative formed under Governor Claude Kirk (1926-2011) in 1967, launched several studies to find methods to improve the lake, though no serious action was taken. Various methods were debated to restore the lake through the 1970s and 1980s, including “drawdown,” which entailed completely draining the lake to allow the mucky bottom to consolidate. Restoration attempts were stalled for lack of funding and research. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council was reformed in 1985 under Governor Bob Graham (b. 1936), and, in 1987, the Surface Water and Improvement Management Act was passed. Together, these actions allowed comprehensive restoration plans to take shape, such as the Marsh Flow-way, a project by the St John’s Water Management District that uses natural methods to remove nutrients from the lake. The Friends of Lake Apopka, a citizen environmental advocacy group, began to push for further restoration efforts in the 1990s. The lake’s north shore muck farms were eventually purchased by the State of Florida, helping to reduce the amount of nutrient entering the lake.
Original 8-page typewritten letter from William E. Johnson to Dennis Holcomb, July7, 1981: binder 1981, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
A newspaper article published in The Leesburg Daily Commercial discussing fish kills that occurred in Lake Apopka in June of 1981. The article gives quotes from Harold L. Moody and Mike Wicker of the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (GFC), who state that further fish kills are very likely to occur. The article states that the current drought conditions in Florida were exacerbating the poor condition of the lake, concentrating the lake's water and promoting the growth of algae. The algae growth causes the lake's oxygen levels to drop, triggering fish die-offs. The Lake Apopka fish kill is estimated to have killed between 30 million and 40 million fish. Lake Apopka is one of Florida’s largest lakes and was once considered to be one of the world’s best lakes for bass fishing. The lake’s sport fish population began to decline in the 1960s, with major die-offs occurring almost yearly. The lake’s problems are generally considered to be the result of over-nutrification from various sources. Twenty thousand acres of wetlands bordering the lake’s north shore were drained in the 1940s and used for highly fertile “muck farms.” These farms were routinely flooded to protect the fragile soil, and the fertilizer and pesticide-laden water was then discharged back into the lake prior to each growing season. Other sources of pollution include discharge from citrus processing operations, as well as treated wastewater from sewage plants. The nutrient-rich discharge promoted algae growth in the lake, turning the water to a green color, and blocked sunlight from reaching aquatic vegetation, which provided food and habit to the lake’s fish population. The lake’s bottom soil became increasingly “mucky,” also disrupting aquatic vegetation from taking root. Restoration work on the lake began in the 1960s with attempts by various agencies to remove “trash fish,” such as gizzard shad, from the lake via seining, which would hopefully allow the lake’s sportfish to thrive. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council, an initiative formed under Governor Claude Kirk (1926-2011) in 1967, launched several studies to find methods to improve the lake, though no serious action was taken. Various methods were debated to restore the lake through the 1970s and 1980s, including “drawdown,” which entailed completely draining the lake to allow the mucky bottom to consolidate. Restoration attempts were stalled for lack of funding and research. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council was reformed in 1985 under Governor Bob Graham (b. 1936), and, in 1987, the Surface Water and Improvement Management Act was passed. Together, these actions allowed comprehensive restoration plans to take shape, such as the Marsh Flow-way, a project by the St John’s Water Management District that uses natural methods to remove nutrients from the lake. The Friends of Lake Apopka, a citizen environmental advocacy group, began to push for further restoration efforts in the 1990s. The lake’s north shore muck farms were eventually purchased by the State of Florida, helping to reduce the amount of nutrient entering the lake.
Photocopy of original newspaper article: Horvath, Paula. "Officials Think Fish Kills May Spread." The Leesburg Daily Commercial, July 22, 1981: binder 1981, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
The Leesburg Daily Commercial
A newspaper article published in The Winter Garden Times discussing a fish kill in Lake Apopka in July of 1981. This fish kill, totaling an estimated four million fish, occurred two weeks after another larger kill in Lake Apopka on June 20, 1981. The article states that the kills are due to a combination of factors affecting the lake, including low water levels, high temperatures, and stormy weather, which led to the lake's high algae content deoxygenating the lake. Lake Apopka is one of Florida’s largest lakes and was once considered to be one of the world’s best lakes for bass fishing. The lake’s sport fish population began to decline in the 1960s, with major die-offs occurring almost yearly. The lake’s problems are generally considered to be the result of over-nutrification from various sources. Twenty thousand acres of wetlands bordering the lake’s north shore were drained in the 1940s and used for highly fertile “muck farms.” These farms were routinely flooded to protect the fragile soil, and the fertilizer and pesticide-laden water was then discharged back into the lake prior to each growing season. Other sources of pollution include discharge from citrus processing operations, as well as treated wastewater from sewage plants. The nutrient-rich discharge promoted algae growth in the lake, turning the water to a green color, and blocked sunlight from reaching aquatic vegetation, which provided food and habit to the lake’s fish population. The lake’s bottom soil became increasingly “mucky,” also disrupting aquatic vegetation from taking root. Restoration work on the lake began in the 1960s with attempts by various agencies to remove “trash fish,” such as gizzard shad, from the lake via seining, which would hopefully allow the lake’s sportfish to thrive. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council, an initiative formed under Governor Claude Kirk (1926-2011) in 1967, launched several studies to find methods to improve the lake, though no serious action was taken. Various methods were debated to restore the lake through the 1970s and 1980s, including “drawdown,” which entailed completely draining the lake to allow the mucky bottom to consolidate. Restoration attempts were stalled for lack of funding and research. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council was reformed in 1985 under Governor Bob Graham (b. 1936), and, in 1987, the Surface Water and Improvement Management Act was passed. Together, these actions allowed comprehensive restoration plans to take shape, such as the Marsh Flow-way, a project by the St John’s Water Management District that uses natural methods to remove nutrients from the lake. The Friends of Lake Apopka, a citizen environmental advocacy group, began to push for further restoration efforts in the 1990s. The lake’s north shore muck farms were eventually purchased by the State of Florida, helping to reduce the amount of nutrient entering the lake.
Photocopy of original newspaper article: "A Second Lake Apopka fish kill." The Winter Garden Times, Vol. 50, No. 29, July 16, 1981: binder 1981, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
The Winter Garden Times
A grid map of Orlando, Florida, showing what appears to be the proposed site for the Sky Lake, a residential community and unincorporated area. It is located approximately seven miles south of Downtown Orlando between Lancaster Road and Sand Lake Road. This residential community was developed in late 1950s and 1960s by Hymen Lake. Houses originally sold in the range of $10,000 to $15,000. In the 1970s, Sky Lake became one of the first housing developments to be racially integrated. This residential community was originally proposed to include one thousand homes within the middle of the square mile block and a ring of commercial developments along the perimeter.
Original map: Pine Castle Historical Society, Pine Castle, Florida.
Grid Map of Unincorporated Communities South of Orlando
A grid map of various unincorporated communities south of Orlando, Florida. Such communities include Edgewood, Pine Castle, Conway, Belle Isle, and Taft. Other notable sites on the map include the Orlando International Airport and the Martin Andersen Bee Line Expressway, formerly called Florida State Road 528 (SR 528).
Sky Lake, located approximately seven miles south of Downtown Orlando, Florida, between Lancaster Road and Sand Lake Road. This residential community was developed in late 1950s and 1960s by Hymen Lake. Houses originally sold in the range of $10,000 to $15,000. In the 1970s, Sky Lake became one of the first housing developments to be racially integrated. This residential community was originally proposed to include one thousand homes within the middle of the square mile block and a ring of commercial developments along the perimeter.
Original color photograph: Pine Castle Historical Society, Pine Castle, Florida.
Original black and white photographs: Pine Castle Historical Society, Pine Castle, Florida.
Houses in Sky Lake, located approximately seven miles south of Downtown Orlando, Florida, between Lancaster Road and Sand Lake Road. It is unclear as to what street(s) these houses were located along. The Sky Lake residential community was developed in late 1950s and 1960s by Hymen Lake. Houses originally sold in the range of $10,000 to $15,000. In the 1970s, Sky Lake became one of the first housing developments to be racially integrated. This residential community was originally proposed to include one thousand homes within the middle of the square mile block and a ring of commercial developments along the perimeter.
Original color photographs: Pine Castle Historical Society, Pine Castle, Florida.
A house in Sky Lake, located approximately seven miles south of Downtown Orlando, Florida, between Lancaster Road and Sand Lake Road. It is unclear as to what street this house was located along. The Sky Lake residential community was developed in late 1950s and 1960s by Hymen Lake. Houses originally sold in the range of $10,000 to $15,000. In the 1970s, Sky Lake became one of the first housing developments to be racially integrated. This residential community was originally proposed to include one thousand homes within the middle of the square mile block and a ring of commercial developments along the perimeter.
Construction at Sky Lake, located approximately seven miles south of Downtown Orlando, Florida, between Lancaster Road and Sand Lake Road. The Sky Lake residential community was developed in late 1950s and 1960s by Hymen Lake. Houses originally sold in the range of $10,000 to $15,000. In the 1970s, Sky Lake became one of the first housing developments to be racially integrated. This residential community was originally proposed to include one thousand homes within the middle of the square mile block and a ring of commercial developments along the perimeter.
Original black and white photograph by Fred DeWitt: Pine Castle Historical Society, Pine Castle, Florida.
Aerial View of Travelodge Orlando-Sky Lake
Travelodge Orlando-Sky Lake was located at 7101 South Orange Blossom Trail (OBT), just north of the Bee Line Toll Road, in Orlando, Florida.. The hotel was constructed in 1970 by Hymen Lake and is currently in operation as the Royal Inn. Photographs from this era show the hotel offered a free continental breakfast, heated pool, and color television. The Onan Corporation, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, commissioned the photographs. Onan was photographing a standby electric plant that had been recently installed at the hotel.
Original black and white photograph: Pine Castle Historical Society, Pine Castle, Florida.
Travelodge Orlando-Sky Lake, Sky Lake, Florida
Travelodge Orlando-Sky Lake During Construction
Hotel Room at Travelodge Orlando-Sky Lake
A hotel room at Travelodge Orlando-Sky Lake, which was located at 7101 South Orange Blossom Trail (OBT), just north of the Bee Line Toll Road, in Orlando, Florida.. The hotel was constructed in 1970 by Hymen Lake and is currently in operation as the Royal Inn. Photographs from this era show the hotel offered a free continental breakfast, heated pool, and color television. The Onan Corporation, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, commissioned the photographs. Onan was photographing a standby electric plant that had been recently installed at the hotel.
Swimming Pool at Travelodge Orlando-Sky Lake
The swimming pool at Travelodge Orlando-Sky Lake, which was located at 7101 South Orange Blossom Trail (OBT), just north of the Bee Line Toll Road, in Orlando, Florida.. The hotel was constructed in 1970 by Hymen Lake and is currently in operation as the Royal Inn. Photographs from this era show the hotel offered a free continental breakfast, heated pool, and color television. The Onan Corporation, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, commissioned the photographs. Onan was photographing a standby electric plant that had been recently installed at the hotel.
Laurel Oak Court in Sky Lake, located approximately seven miles south of Downtown Orlando, Florida, between Lancaster Road and Sand Lake Road. The Sky Lake residential community was developed in late 1950s and 1960s by Hymen Lake. Houses originally sold in the range of $10,000 to $15,000. In the 1970s, Sky Lake became one of the first housing developments to be racially integrated. This residential community was originally proposed to include one thousand homes within the middle of the square mile block and a ring of commercial developments along the perimeter.
An oral history interview of Joel Strack, one of the founding members of the Orlando Gay Chorus. The interview was conducted by Tyler Campbell in the conference room at the Center for Humanities and Digital Research (CHDR) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, Florida, on September 26th, 2016. Some of the topics covered include founding the Orlando Gay Chorus, naming the chorus, the initial community reaction, women in the chorus, the evolving relationship with the community, becoming a mixed vocal group, hearing about the shooting at Pulse nightclub, vigils, outreach events and fundraisers, coping and seeking counseling, the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA) Festival, the Orlando community’s response to the Pulse tragedy, the long-term impact on the Gay Chorus and the Orlando community, and an increase in membership.
Strack, Joel. Interviewed by Tyler Campbell, September 26, 2016. Audio record available. RICHES of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
RICHES of Central Florida
GALA Choruses Festival, Denver Performing Arts Center, Denver, Colorado
GLBT Community Center of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
Joy Metropolitan Community Church, Orlando, Florida
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1949
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1949. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year.
Original 4-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1949: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1950
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1950. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year.
Original 6-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1950: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1954
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1954. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year.
Original 11-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1954: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1955
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1955. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year.
Original 11-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1955: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1956
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1956. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year.
Original 13-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1956: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1957
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1957. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year.
Original 10-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1957: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1958
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1958. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year.
Original 10-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1958: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1959
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1959. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year.
Original 12-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1959: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1960
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1960. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year.
Original 10-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1960: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1961
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1961. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year.
Original 11-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1961: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1962
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1962. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year.
Original 7-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1962: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1963
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1963. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year.
Original 9-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1963: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1964
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1964. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year.
Original 6-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1964: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1965
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1965. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year.
Original 6-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1965: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1967
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1967. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year. The report acknowledges contributions from the Seminole County Board of Commissioners and the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Florida State Forestry Service.
Original 6-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1967: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1968
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1968. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year.
Original 4-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1968: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1969
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1969. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year. The report acknowledges contributions from the Seminole County Board of Commissioners and the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Florida State Forestry Service. The report also discusses the 1969 Recreational Potential Appraisal meant to publicize areas within Seminole County with recreational or public attraction potential. Additionally, the report describes the popular use of ponds for water storage and stocking of fish, such as bream and black bass for recreational purposes. Nineteen ponds were constructed along with 22,000 feet of drainage ditches, and 90,000 feet of vegetable tiles. Finally, the report includes an appropriation ledger for office supplies and expenses for 1968 and 1969.
Original 6-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1969: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1970
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1970. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year. The report acknowledges contributions from the Seminole County Board of Commissioners and the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Florida State Forestry Service. The report also thanks the local office of the Farm Bureau and the local radio station, WTRR, for promoting conservation efforts. Additionally, the report discusses the introduction to the county of a new pasture grass called Haltgrass, or Hemarthria Altissima, furnished by the Plant Materials Center of the Soil Conservation Service it Brooksville, Florida. The report explains that the new grass is useful for grazing and haying. Finally, the report discusses the revamping of tile systems on vegetable land and includes statistical information for 1970 and an appropriation ledger for office supplies and expenses for 1969 and 1970.
Original 7-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1970: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1971
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1971. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year. The report acknowledges contributions from the Seminole County Board of Commissioners and the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Florida State Forestry Service. The report also thanks the local office of the Farm Bureau and the local radio station, WTRR, for promoting conservation efforts. The report also discusses the introduction to the county of a new pasture grass called Hemarthria Altissima, furnished by the Plant Materials Center of the Soil Conservation Service in Brooksville, Florida, due to its low temperature requirements and rank growth. Finally, the report discusses the development and management of fishponds and catfish production and two animal waste lagoons installed at local dairies.
Original 5-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1971: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1972
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1972. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year. The report acknowledges contributions from the Seminole County Board of Commissioners and the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Florida State Forestry Service. The report also thanks the local office of the Farm Bureau and the local radio station, WTRR, for promoting conservation efforts.
Original 2-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1972: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1975, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Annual Report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, January 1974
The annual report of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for January 1974. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. This report discusses the introduction of new plants and grasses to Seminole County and also mentions a flood hazard study for U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In this year's report, the board gives an annual review of the accomplishments of the past and a summation of the objectives for the next year.
Original 5-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, January 1974: Folder SSWCD Annual Reports, 1949-1974, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
An oral history interview of Richard Lamberty, a member of the Orlando Gay Chorus, same-sex ballroom dancer, and software developer. This interview was conducted by Geoffrey Cravero at the Center for Humanities and Digital Research at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, Florida, on October 11th, 2016. Some of the topics covered include a biographical summary, his educational history, discovering dance, his family history, his relationship with his father, same-sex ballroom dancing, the Orlando Gay Chorus, Orlando Cloggers, becoming a dance instructor, losing communication and physical skills from rheumatoid arthritis, world travels as a dance instructor, homosexuality in Japan, the end of his dance career, North American Same-Sex Partner Dance Association (NASSPDA), the history of same-sex dancing, the kinesiology of dance, Dance Vision International Dancers Association (DVIDA) American Smooth Bronze Syllabus manual, reasons for joining the Orlando Gay Chorus, the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub and its aftermath, the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA) Festival, being a public figure and representing Orlando, violence against homosexuals, meeting a transsexual Muslim, the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) vigil for victims of the Pulse massacre, homosexuality in the space and defense industry, turning tragedy into positive change, gun control reform, the community response to Pulse tragedy, the significance of the rainbow flag, the long-term consequences of the Pulse tragedy, and the rise of fundamentalism.
Lamberty, Richard. Interviewed by Geoffrey Cravero, October 11, 2016. Audio record available. RICHES of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando, Florida
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
An oral history interview of Nicholas Agon Kresky, a member of the Orlando Gay Chorus who serves on the chorus’s Music and Artistic Development Committee. The interview was conducted by Sarah Schneider at the University of Central Florida Center for Emerging Media in Orlando, Florida, on November 17th, 2016. Some of the topics covered include joining the Orlando Gay Chorus, his favorite productions, the 2012 Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA) festival, the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub, the Orlando Gay Chorus’s response to the Pulse tragedy, the community response to the Pulse tragedy, pet therapy, the national response to the Pulse tragedy, the 2016 Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA) festival, support from other gay choruses, the significance of Pulse before and after the tragedy, the role of social media in the aftermath of the tragedy, and the long-term consequences of the Pulse tragedy.
Kresky, Nicholas Agon. Interviewed by Sarah Schneider, November 17, 2016. Audio record available. RICHES of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
An oral history interview of Emmanuel J. Agon Kresky, a member of the Orlando Gay Chorus. The interview was conducted by Sarah Schneider at the University of Central Florida Center for Emerging Media in Orlando, Florida, on November 17th, 2016. Some of the topics covered include joining the Orlando Gay Chorus, his favorite productions, the 2012 and 2016 Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses festivals, the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub, the Orlando Gay Chorus’s response to the Pulse tragedy, the community, national and international responses to the Pulse tragedy, the significance of Pulse before and after the tragedy, the role of social media in the aftermath of the tragedy, and the long-term consequences of the tragedy.
Kresky, Emmanuel J. Agon. Interviewed by Sarah Schneider, November 17, 2016. Audio record available. RICHES of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando, Florida
Publix Supermarkets, Inc., Orlando, Florida
Oral History of Reverend Margaret E. "Peggy" Howland
An oral history interview of Reverend Margaret E. “Peggy” Howland, a member of the Orlando Gay Chorus and a former Presbyterian minister. The interview was conducted by Geoffrey Cravero at the interviewee’s residence in Orlando, Florida, on December 13th, 2016. Some of the topics covered include becoming one of the first female ministers, fighting for GLBTQ+ rights, joining the Orlando Gay Chorus, her role in the Orlando Gay Chorus, her favorite productions, the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub, women in the chorus, the Orlando Gay Chorus’s response to Pulse tragedy, changing community attitudes on homosexuality, missing out on initial vigils, memorials and outreaches, physical challenges, performing at the first responders breakfast, the long-term consequences of Pulse tragedy, and her closing remarks.
Howland, Margaret E. "Peggy". Interviewed by Geoffrey Cravero, December 13, 2016. Audio record available. RICHES, Orlando, Florida.
RICHES
Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses Festival, Denver, Colorado
Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida
The Watermark, Vol. 2, No. 2, January 25, 1995
The second issue of volume two of The Watermark was published on January 25, 1995, and focuses on community issues with the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) movement. The main topics discussed in this issue are Iran's persecution of gay nightclub patrons, West Palm Beach voters' defeat of a proposal that sought to remove gay rights protections from municipal law, the Metropolitan Business Association's (MBA) Second Annual Expo, a federal court's ruling allowing a veterans group to bar the LGBTQ+ community from marching in Boston's St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Scott Laurent Galleries. This issue also includes letters to the editor, theater and film reviews, restaurant reviews, and comic strips, as well as culture, artful living, travel, marketplace, and classifieds sections. Since 1994, The Watermark has been the cornerstone source of LGBTQ+ centered news for the Central Florida region. Founded by Tom Dyer in Orlando, the publication began generating bi-weekly issues beginning August 31, 1994. Since then, The Watermark has consistently published newspaper-style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, The Watermark became a permanent piece of LGBTQ+ culture when the publication initiated the first large-scale Gay Days Weekend event, the Beach Ball at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Before 1999, the publication printed 20,000 copies every week, distributing them to over 500 locations between its two major cities. Following 1999, the publication launched watermarkonline.com shifting to an online publication style. In 2016, Rick Claggett purchased The Watermark.
Original 32-page newspaper: The Watermark, Vol. 2, No. 2, January 25, 1995: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Scott Laurent Galleries, Winter Park, Florida
The Watermark, Vol. 2, No. 5, March 8, 1995
The eighth issue of The Watermark was published on March 5, 1995, and focuses on community issues with the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) movement. The main topics discussed in this issue include Olympic athlete Greg Louganis (b. 1960), the incarceration of gay Christian activist Mel White, U.S. Supreme Court case Romer v. Evans, the selection of Michael Slaymaker as the new executive director of the Hope and Help Center of Central Florida, an amendment proposal in Alachua County that would prohibit county commissioners from passing ordinances that would protect civil rights based on sexual orientation, the military's violations of its "Don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) policy, gay adoption, and legal and medical issues related to human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). This issue also includes various advertisements, letters to the editor, film reviews, comics, a travel section, a calendar of events, and personal classifieds. Since 1994, The Watermark has been the cornerstone source of LGBTQ+ centered news for the Central Florida region. Founded by Tom Dyer in Orlando, the publication began generating bi-weekly issues beginning August 31, 1994. Since then, The Watermark has consistently published newspaper-style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, The Watermark became a permanent piece of LGBTQ+ culture when the publication initiated the first large-scale Gay Days Weekend event, the Beach Ball at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Before 1999, the publication printed 20,000 copies every week, distributing them to over 500 locations between its two major cities. Following 1999, the publication launched watermarkonline.com shifting to an online publication style. In 2016, Rick Claggett purchased The Watermark.
Original 32-page newspaper: The Watermark, Vol. 2, No. 5, March 5, 1995: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
Hope and Help Center of Central Florida, Winter Park, Florida
The Watermark, Vol. 7, No. 1, January 6-19, 2000
The ninth issue of The Watermark was published on January 6-19, 2000, and focuses on community issues with the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) movement. The main topics covered in this issue include a letter from the editor
the Supreme Court of Vermont's decision on same-sex marriages
the Millennium March on Washington (MMOW)
BeachFest in Daytona Beach, the closing of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Community Center (GLBCC)
the resignation of Charles Albrecht, executive director of the Tampa AIDS Network (TAN)
the anti-gay comments of Lee County Sheriff John McDougall regarding Matthew Shepard, a young, homosexual man who was brutally tortured and murdered in Wyoming
an increase in hate crimes against minorities
members of the LGBTQ+ community who have hearing impairments
legal and medical issues related to human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)
the Gay Financial Network's (GFN) first annual list of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Corporate Executives
New Year's resolutions to improve gay culture
and astronomer and gay rights activist Frank Kameny (1925-2011). This issue also includes various advertisements, film reviews, a calendar of events, organizations and meetings, an astrology section, and personal classifieds. Finally this issues includes The Waterfront supplement, which featured articles about Parliament House, The Factory at Garage, and the sale of Viagra on the black market, as well as a gossip column, a nightlife column, music reviews, comics, maps of LGBTQ+ businesses in various Florida cities, and a sex talk column. Since 1994, The Watermark has been the cornerstone source of LGBTQ+ centered news for the Central Florida region. Founded by Tom Dyer in Orlando, the publication began generating bi-weekly issues beginning August 31, 1994. Since then, The Watermark has consistently published newspaper-style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, The Watermark became a permanent piece of LGBTQ+ culture when the publication initiated the first large-scale Gay Days Weekend event, the Beach Ball at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Before 1999, the publication printed 20,000 copies every week, distributing them to over 500 locations between its two major cities. Following 1999, the publication launched watermarkonline.com shifting to an online publication style. In 2016, Rick Claggett purchased The Watermark.
Original 32-page newspaper: The Watermark, Vol. 7, No. 1, January 6-19, 2000: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
An oral history interview of Patrick Herman, a member of the Orlando Gay Chorus. The interview was conducted by Sarah Schneider at Herman’s home in Orlando, Florida, on November 4th, 2016. Some of the topics covered include moving to Florida, joining the Orlando Gay Chorus, the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA) Festival, the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub and its aftermath, the Orlando Gay Chorus’s response to the Pulse tragedy, coping with the emotional repercussions of the tragedy, the community response to the Pulse tragedy, support from other gay choruses at the GALA festival, the significance of Latin night at Pulse, the long-term consequences of the Pulse tragedy, and gun control.
Herman, Patrick. Interviewed by Sarah Schneider, November 4, 2016. Audio record available. RICHES of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
Memorandum of Understanding between the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District and the United States Department of Agriculture, 1948
The 1948 Memorandum of Understanding between the Seminole Soil Conservation District and the United States Department of Agriculture. The Seminole Soil Conservation District organization began in 1948 with a goal of assisting agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole County Soil and Water Conservation District also began to concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests included inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In the 1948 memorandum, the Board articulates a goal to cooperate with the Department of Agriculture in order to achieve certain objectives pertaining to soil conservation and erosion control. The five page Memorandum discusses the implementation of a work plan for the Seminole Soil Conservaiton District. The memorandum is signed by R. F. Cooper and C. R. Dawson of the Seminole Soil Conservation District.
Original 5-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1949: Folder SSWCD Statistical and Historical Information, 1948-1977, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Program of the Seminole Soil Conservation District, 1948
The Program of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1948. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In the 1948 program, the Seminole Soil Conservation District discusses agriculture and plans to confront issues pertaining to water control, land use, soil depletion, wind and water erosion, pasture development, and woodland and wildlife management. The nine page program is signed by R.F. Cooper, C.A. Wales, T.L. Lingo, R.T. Milwee, and Tom McLain, Jr.
Original 9-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1948: Folder SSWCD Statistical and Historical Information, 1948-1977, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Work Plan of the Seminole Soil Conservation District, 1948
The Work Plan of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1948. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. The purpose of the 1948 work plan was to outline the approach to problems as stated in the program from that year. The seven page work plan discusses issues such as land use, cropland, erosion, pastureland, water control, soil improvement, crop rotation, woodland and wildlife management, farm planning, and the use of conservation surveys.
Original 7-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1948: Folder SSWCD Statistical and Historical Information, 1948-1977, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Supplemental Memorandum of Understanding Between the Seminole Soil Conservation District and the Soil Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, 1948
Supplemental Memorandum of Understanding Between the Seminole Soil Conservation District and the Soil Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture for 1948. The Seminole Soil Conservation District began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. The 1948 Supplemental Memorandum of Understanding supplements the 1948 Memorandum of Understanding. The eight page document explains what the District and the the Service will do, such as selecting a District Conservationist, keeping current records, providing field equipment, and taking part in erosion control and soil conservation. The document is signed by R.F. Cooper, C.R. Dawson, and H.H. Hennett.
Original 8-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1948: Folder SSWCD Statistical and Historical Information, 1948-1977, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Transmittal of Schedule of Assistance of the Board of Supervisers of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1949
The Transmittal of Schedule of Assistance of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1949. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In the four page Transmittal of Schedule of Assistance from 1949, Robert R. Witherell writes to C.A. Wales and states the kinds of assistance that would be made available between July 1st, 1949 and June 30th, 1950, such as a Soil Conservationist, a Drainage Engineer, a Soil Scientist, an Engineer Aid, and a Conservation Aid. The document is signed by Robert E. Witherell, and Colin D. Gunn.
Original 4-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1949: Folder SSWCD Statistical and Historical Information, 1948-1977, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Transmittal of Schedule of Assistance of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1950
The Transmittal of Schedule of Assistance of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1950. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In the Transmittal of Schedule of Assistance from 1950, Robert R. Witherell writes to C.A. Wales and states the kinds of assistance that would be made available such as a Soil Conservationist, a Drainage Engineer, a Soil Scientist, an Engineer Aid, and a Conservation Aid. The two page document contains a planting materials list including Bahia seed, Coastal Bermuda Grass Stolons, and Pangola Grass Stolons. The planting materials were supplied by Brooksville Nursery. The document is signed by Robert E. Witherell, and Colin D. Gunn.
Original 2-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1950: Folder SSWCD Statistical and Historical Information, 1948-1977, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Transmittal of Schedule of Assistance of the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1951
Transmittal of Schedule of Assistance of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1951. The organization began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In the Transmittal of Schedule of Assistance from 1951, Walter W. Shaffer writes to Homer L. Osborne and states the kinds of assistance that would be made available by the Soil Conservation Service to the Seminole Soil Conservation District such as a Soil Conservationist, a Drainage Engineer, a Soil Scientist, an Engineer Aid, and a Conservation Aid. The two page document contains a planting materials list including Pensacola Bahia, early Hairy Indigo, ordinary Hairy Indigo, Blanket Indigo, Crotalaria Intermedia, aeschynomene, multiflora rose, Crotalaria Lanceolata, Coastal Bermuda Grass Stolons, and Pangola Grass Stolons. The document is signed by Walter W. Shaffer and Colin D. Gunn.
Original 2-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1951: Folder SSWCD Statistical and Historical Information, 1948-1977, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.
Office Memorandum of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, 1952
Office Memorandum of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District for 1952. The Seminole Soul and Water Conservation District began in 1948 with a goal to assist in agricultural interests. Over the years, the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District began to also concentrate on the development and management of recreational enterprises. Their interests also entailed inventory and evaluations for land uses and solving issues concerning soil and water resources. In the Office Memorandum from 1952, H.B. Helms, the assistant state conservationist, informs Albert R. Swartz, the acting area conservationist, that J.G. McMeekin of the Regional Records and Reports Division has advised that Seminole District #43 may discontinue submitting form SCS-198 as the sample requirement for land conversion has been met. The one page document is signed by H.B. Helms.
Original 1-page typewritten report by the Board of Supervisors of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,1952: Folder SSWCD Statistical and Historical Information, 1948-1977, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanford, Florida.