After Eason's crew was found (minus Eason), an update was written which said that all of the surviving men were to return to duty. This update points out further that Eason did not survive, but his crew went on to fight more. Thomas E. Eason (1922-1945) served over three years in the United States Air Force, 569th Bomber Squadron, 390th Bomber Group, as a waist gunner on a B-17 nicknamed "Sweet and Lovely." He completed twenty-eight missions in both the Pacific and European Theaters of World War II. On January 20, 1945, he was killed in Eastern France after his plane was shot down by enemy combatants. Over the course of his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters. Today, he is buried in the Epinal American Cemetery.
Thomas E. Eason (1922-1945) served over three years in the United States Air Force, 569th Bomber Squadron, 390th Bomber Group, as a waist gunner on a B-17 nicknamed "Sweet and Lovely." He completed twenty-eight missions in both the Pacific and European Theaters of World War II. On January 20, 1945, he was killed in Eastern France after his plane was shot down by enemy combatants. Over the course of his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters. Today, he is buried in the Epinal American Cemetery.
The B-17 Eason was on at the time of his death crashed in Eastern France after being shot down by enemy combatants across the German border. The crew was considered 'Missing in Action' until the wreckage was found. This 'Missing Air Crew Report' was written shortly after the plane crashed, and was edited with pencil after the crew was found. After they were found, Eason was discovered to be dead. This report records him as 'KIA.' Thomas E. Eason (1922-1945) served over three years in the United States Air Force, 569th Bomber Squadron, 390th Bomber Group, as a waist gunner on a B-17 nicknamed "Sweet and Lovely." He completed twenty-eight missions in both the Pacific and European Theaters of World War II. On January 20, 1945, he was killed in Eastern France after his plane was shot down by enemy combatants. Over the course of his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters. Today, he is buried in the Epinal American Cemetery.
After Eason's death, the surviving members of his crew were required to fill out an 'Individual Casualty Questionnaire.' These questionnaires provide insight into how Eason died, as well as his personal relationship with the members of his crew. This particular questionnaire shows that some people on Eason's crew were distraught by his death. Thomas E. Eason (1922-1945) served over three years in the United States Air Force, 569th Bomber Squadron, 390th Bomber Group, as a waist gunner on a B-17 nicknamed "Sweet and Lovely." He completed twenty-eight missions in both the Pacific and European Theaters of World War II. On January 20, 1945, he was killed in Eastern France after his plane was shot down by enemy combatants. Over the course of his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters. Today, he is buried in the Epinal American Cemetery.
After Eason's death, the surviving members of his crew were required to fill out an 'Individual Casualty Questionnaire.' These questionnaires provide insight into how Eason died, as well as his personal relationship with the members of his crew. Thomas E. Eason (1922-1945) served over three years in the United States Air Force, 569th Bomber Squadron, 390th Bomber Group, as a waist gunner on a B-17 nicknamed "Sweet and Lovely." He completed twenty-eight missions in both the Pacific and European Theaters of World War II. On January 20, 1945, he was killed in Eastern France after his plane was shot down by enemy combatants. Over the course of his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters. Today, he is buried in the Epinal American Cemetery.
Thomas E. Eason and Crew of "Sweet and Lovely"
This is a photograph of SSgt. Thomas Eason alongside the crew he was flying with at the time of his death. Thomas E. Eason (1922-1945) served over three years in the United States Air Force, 569th Bomber Squadron, 390th Bomber Group, as a waist gunner on a B-17 nicknamed "Sweet and Lovely." He completed twenty-eight missions in both the Pacific and European Theaters of World War II. On January 20, 1945, he was killed in Eastern France after his plane was shot down by enemy combatants. Over the course of his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters. Today, he is buried in the Epinal American Cemetery.
The photo depicts Eason in front of a B-17 bomber, along with his crew mates. Thomas E. Eason (1922-1945) served over three years in the United States Air Force, 569th Bomber Squadron, 390th Bomber Group, as a waist gunner on a B-17 nicknamed "Sweet and Lovely." He completed twenty-eight missions in both the Pacific and European Theaters of World War II. On January 20, 1945, he was killed in Eastern France after his plane was shot down by enemy combatants. Over the course of his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters. Today, he is buried in the Epinal American Cemetery.
This grave marker denotes where SSgt. Thomas E. Eason is buried in the Epinal American Cemetery in Eastern France. Thomas E. Eason (1922-1945) served over three years in the United States Air Force, 569th Bomber Squadron, 390th Bomber Group, as a waist gunner on a B-17 nicknamed "Sweet and Lovely." He completed twenty-eight missions in both the Pacific and European Theaters of World War II. On January 20, 1945, he was killed in Eastern France after his plane was shot down by enemy combatants. Over the course of his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
Epinal American Cemetery. Thomas E. Eason (1922-1945) served over three years in the United States Air Force, 569th Bomber Squadron, 390th Bomber Group, as a waist gunner on a B-17 nicknamed "Sweet and Lovely." He completed twenty-eight missions in both the Pacific and European Theaters of World War II. On January 20, 1945, he was killed in Eastern France after his plane was shot down by enemy combatants. Over the course of his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
Marion County World War two casualty list Sergeant John F. “Jack” Aylward Jr.
This is the casualty list for Sergeant John F. “Jack” Aylward Jr. who died in World War two. He was a part of the Headquarters Company within the 6th Armored Division. He is an individual who died serving during a major U.S. war who has been otherwise forgotten. Aylward Jr. is originally from Marion county Florida. He is interred at the Epinal cemetery in Lorraine, France.
US Army 6th Armored Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia Sergeant John F. “Jack” Aylward Jr.
This is the US Army 6th Armored Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia that Sergeant John F. “Jack” Aylward Jr. would have worn when he died in World War two. He was a part of the Headquarters Company within the 6th Armored Division. He is an individual who died serving during a major U.S. war who has been otherwise forgotten. Aylward Jr. is originally from Marion county Florida. He is interred at the Epinal cemetery in Lorraine, France.
John F. Aylward Jr. Headstone Epinal Cemetery in Lorraine, France Plot B, Row 38, Grave 43.
This is the grave stone of Sergeant John F. “Jack” Aylward Jr. who died in World War two. He was a part of the Headquarters Company within the 6th Armored Division. He is an individual who died serving during a major U.S. war who has been otherwise forgotten. Aylward Jr. is originally from Marion county Florida. He is interred at the Epinal cemetery in Lorraine, France.
Epinal Cemetery Lorraine, France Sergeant John F. “Jack” Aylward Jr. died in World War two. He was a part of the Headquarters Company within the 6th Armored Division. He is an individual who died serving during a major U.S. war who has been otherwise forgotten. Aylward Jr. is originally from Marion county Florida. He is interred at the Epinal cemetery in Lorraine, France.
Sergeant John F. “Jack” Aylward, Jr. Headquarters Company, 6th Armored Division Photograph
This is a photograph of Sergeant John F. “Jack” Aylward, Jr. who died in World War two. He was a part of the Headquarters Company within the 6th Armored Division. This Photograph is significant because it helps paint the picture of an individual who died serving during a major U.S. war who has been otherwise forgotten. Aylward Jr. is originally from Marion county Florida. He is interred at the Epinal cemetery in Lorraine, France.
Epinal Cemetery in Lorraine, France. Sergeant John F. “Jack” Aylward, Jr. died in World War two. He was a part of the Headquarters Company within the 6th Armored Division. He is an individual who died serving during a major U.S. war who has been otherwise forgotten. Aylward Jr. is originally from Marion county Florida. He is interred at the Epinal cemetery in Lorraine, France.
Inscription and Interment Record: Wilson Foch Smith 1918-10-24 to 1945-05-23
The headstone inscription and interment record for Corporal Wilson Foch Smith, a native of Graceville, Florida. After completing four years of high school, Smith travelled to Montgomery, Alabama to enlist as a private in the U.S. Army Reserves. Upon his enlistment, he entered Company B of the 654th Tank Destroyer Battalion. 15 days after Germany's surrender, Cpl. Smith died in a plane crash near Taillefontaine, France. He is currently buried at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Dinozé, France.
Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial Epinal Departement des Vosges Lorraine, France Plot: A Row 47 Grave 21
Headstone of Wolsin Foch Smith 1918-10-24 to 1945-05-23
The headstone of Corporal Wilson Foch Smith (1918-1945). A resident of Graceville, Florida, Smith was a private in the U.S. Army during World War II. He died in a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commado plane crash after one of th engines caught on fire. Cpl. Smith was on his way to a hospital in France and than back home to the United States when the plane crashed in Taillefontaine, France killing 44 occupants. Smith is currently buried at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Dinozé, France. Smith was born to Robert Smith and Hestor Smith in Jackson County. He worked as a farmhand in the Graceville area prior to his enlistment into the Army on January 22, 1941. Smith was assigned to Company B of the 654th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Smith died on May 23, 1945.
Census Population Schedule for Jackson County, Graceville City, Election Precinct 14 1930-01-01 to 1930-12-31
The U.S. Census population schedule for Election Precinct 14 in Graceville, Florida, in 1930. Individuals are identified by name, titles and terms, gender, age, marital status, race, relationship to head of household, birthplace, birth year, the last place of residence, and occupation. A notable resident listed in this record was Corporal Foch Smith (ca. 1918-1945). Crpl. Smith was born in Jackson County, Florida, to Robert Smith and Hester Smith on October 24, 1918. Smith completed all four years of High School and then enlisted in the United States Army on January 2, 1941 under the name of Wilson Foch Smith. Crpl. Smith served in Company B, of the 654th Tank Destroyer Battalion. He died in a plane crash in Taillefontaine, France on May 23, 1945. Crpl. Smith is currently buried at Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Dinozé, France.
Jackson County, Graceville City, Election Precinct 14, Florida
The patch that the 45th Infantry wore before and after World War II. This patch was one that Rufus H. Lennon wore. Lennon was a soldier from Bradenton, Florida. He was born in 1921 to Rufus Sr. and Bertha Lennon. On November 21, 1940, Lennon enlisted into the United States Army at the age of nineteen. He served as part of the 45th Infantry and the 180th Infantry. The 45th was formed in 1924 and created their own patch honoring Native Americans with the symbol of a swastika. he died in September 21, 1944. He was awarded Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He was the second oldest out of Berta and Rufus Lennon Sr. children.
The location of the patches that was part of Brigadier General Ross. H. Routh's M38A's1roots.
PFC Clifford A. Judah was declared missing in action by the Army in 1945. This headstone was used to memorialize him even though his body was not found and his name was not known at the time. This Census shows information for PFC Clifford A. Judah For the Epinal Project: Clifford A. Judah was born in 1925 to father Elijah D. Judah and mother Margie Judah. Clifford was born in Louisiana and Resided there until he moved to Hillsborough Florida with his family around 1935. Clifford enlisted in the army on November 2, 1943 at Camp Blanding in Florida. The terms of his enlistment were through the duration of the war or other emergency as well as six months subject to the discretion of the president or other laws. Clifford became a Private Fist Class in the 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division. The army declared PFC Judah missing in action on January 15, 1945. PFC Judah died during the Battle of Hatten-Rittershoffen in Alsace, France which was part of the Battle of the Bulge. The army awarded PFC Judah the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. The American Battle Monuments Commission memorialized PCF Judah under tablets of the missing in the Epinal American Cemetery.
The grave marker for PCF Clifford A. Judah at the Epinal Cemetery in Dinozé, France
Census Population Schedule for Precinct 51, Hillsborough, Florida 1940-01-01 to 1940-12-31
This Census shows information for PFC Clifford A. Judah For the Epinal Project: Clifford A. Judah was born in 1925 to father Elijah D. Judah and mother Margie Judah. Clifford was born in Louisiana and Resided there until he moved to Hillsborough Florida with his family around 1935. Clifford enlisted in the army on November 2, 1943 at Camp Blanding in Florida. The terms of his enlistment were through the duration of the war or other emergency as well as six months subject to the discretion of the president or other laws. Clifford became a Private Fist Class in the 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division. The army declared PFC Judah missing in action on January 15, 1945. PFC Judah died during the Battle of Hatten-Rittershoffen in Alsace, France which was part of the Battle of the Bulge. The army awarded PFC Judah the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. The American Battle Monuments Commission memorialized PCF Judah under tablets of the missing in the Epinal American Cemetery.
Headstone of Sgt. Marion c. Fordham Jr. 1923 to 1944-11-12
The headstone of Sergeant Marion C. Fordham Jr. who lived in Tampa, Florida when he enlisted into the United States Army on November 13th 1942. He fought in the 397th infantry division of the 100th infantry regiment until his death on November 12th 1944. Sgt. Marion C. Fordham Jr. was killed in the fighting outside of the town of Baccarat during the Vosges Mountains campaign. He received the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy and is currently buried at Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Dinozé, France.
Epinal gravestone of Pvt Rufus H. Lennon Jr.
This is the gravestone of Pvt. Rufus H. Lennon Jr. Lennon was a soldier from Bradenton, Florida. He was born in 1921 to Rufus Sr. and Bertha Lennon. On November 21, 1940, Lennon enlisted into the United States Army at the age of nineteen. He served as part of the 45th Infantry and the 180th Infantry. The 45th was formed in 1924 and created their own patch honoring Native Americans with the symbol of a swastika. Lennon died in battle on September 21, 1944 in France. He was awarded Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He was the second oldest out of Berta and Rufus Lennon Sr. four children.
The location describes the gravestone of Rufus H. Lennon from Epinal American Cemetary and Memorial
1920 Census Records for Precinct No 8, Istachatta, Hernando County, Florida
The U.S. Census population schedule for Istachatta Precinct No. 8, Florida, on January 19, 1920. Individuals are identified by name, titles and terms, gender, age, marital status, race, relationship to head of household, birthplace, birth year, the last place of residence, and occupation. Private Willis H. Hawkins was a resident of Istachatta (ca. 1919-1944) listed on Row 56. Private Willis H. Hawkins lived in Istachatta for much of his life and was educated up to Grammar School and worked as a semi-skilled driver or chauffeur. Private Hawkins enlisted on October 20th, 1943. Private Hawkins was a member of the 3rd Infantry Division and the 3rd Reconnaissance Troop. The 3rd Division participated in the Invasion of France through the South and traveled North towards the Rhine. Willis H. Hawkins was killed in action on November 2, 1944. Willis H. Hawkins was awarded by the Army a Purple Heart for his service and was buried in Epinal American Cemetery in France.
Census Population Schedule for Hillsborough County, Florida, Tampa, enumeration district 1940-01-01 to 1940-12-31
The census population schedule for Tampa, Florida in 1940. Individuals are identified by name, titles and terms, gender, age, marital status, race, relationship to head of household, birthplace, birth year, the last place of residence, and occupation. A notable resident listed in this record was Marion C. Fordham Jr. who lived here with his parents before marrying Ann Yarbrough in 1943 and shortly after enlisting in the United States Army. He died near the town of Baccarat at the foot of the Vosges mountains on November 12th 1944. Sgt. Marion C. Fordham Jr. received the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy and is currently buried at Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Dinozé, France.
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
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.
Original black and white photographs: Pine Castle Historical Society, Pine Castle, Florida.
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.
Original color photograph: Pine Castle Historical Society, Pine Castle, Florida.
Travelodge Orlando-Sky Lake, Sky Lake, Florida
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.
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.
Travelodge Orlando-Sky Lake During Construction
Aerial View of Travelodge Orlando-Sky Lake
Original black and white photograph: Pine Castle Historical Society, Pine Castle, Florida.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Original map: Pine Castle Historical Society, Pine Castle, Florida.
Orlando International Airport, Orlando, Florida
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.
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 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
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Florida Department of Environmental Regulation
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Watermark Media
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.
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.
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, 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.
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 Florida Historical Quarterly
Florida Historical Society
University of Central Florida, Department of History
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.
Andersonville Prison, Andersonville, Georgia
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.
Original black and white photograph: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Orlando City Hall, Downtown Orlando, Florida
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.
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.
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
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 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
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.
Original key: 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.
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.
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.
Original oil painting by Jim Stoll: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, 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.
Glenn L. Martin Company, 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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
Howard Grocery Company, 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.
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
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
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.
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.
Enzor's Pharmacy, 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.
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.
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
McElroy Apartments, Downtown Orlando, Florida
American First & Casualty Company, Downtown 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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
A brochure concerning the construction of the Orlando City Hall in Orlando, Florida. The brochure outlines the city officials responsible in the various steps of its conception, construction, and design processes. A brief stapled on the inside of the front cover details the construction materials as well as the technical features of the building. A majority of the brochure consists of floor plan designs. The building was designed by noted Orlando architect Richard Boone Rogers under the administration of Mayor William Beardall (1923-2011), and was constructed on land acquired during the administration of Mayor J. Rolfe Davis (1904-1988). The building was constructed by Tampa-based firm C.A. Fielland from 1956 to 1958 during the administration of Mayor Bob Carr (1899-1967). Dedicated on October 3, 1958, the building served as Orlando’s city hall until its implosion on October 25, 1991, following the construction of a new City Hall less than ten feet away as a product of Mayor Bill Frederick’s efforts to beautify and improve Orlando. The building's implosion is featured in a scene from the Warner Bros.’ 1992 film Lethal Weapon 3.
Orlando Chamber of Commerce
Original 12-page brochure by the Orlando Chamber of Commerce, 1958: Call No. FLORIDA 975.924 Orl , Orlando Public Library, Orlando, Florida.
An advertisement produced to showcase the advent of mid-century modernism in Orlando, Florida. The film depicts marketing strategies aimed at attracting white middle-to-upper class men in either military or defense technology engineering professions. It emphasizes the economic, cultural, and social changes taking place within Orlando that make it an ideal place to raise a family and to live a fulfilling life. The film also depicts developments and signs of growth that occurred in Orlando before the Walt Disney World Resort opened.
Original 14-minute and 28-second color film: Action Center USA. Directed by Grant Gravitt (Orlando, FL: Tel Air Interests, Inc.): State Library and Archives of Florida, Tallahassee, Florida.
Orlando Public Library, Orlando, Florida
Central Florida Museum, Orlando, Florida
In Commemoration of a Former Landmark of the City of Orlando
A plaque commemorating the former 1958 Orlando City Hall, which was imploded on October 25, 1991, for the filming of Lethal Weapon 3. The building was replaced by a new one in 1991 as a product of Mayor Bill Frederick’s (b. 1934) efforts to beautify and improve Orlando. The city hall was designed by noted Orlando architect Richard Boone Rogers under the administration of Mayor William Beardall (1890-1984), who served from 1940 to 1952, and the land was acquired during the administration of Mayor J. Rolfe Davis (1904-1988), who served from 1953 to 1956. The building was constructed by Tampa-based firm C. A. Fielland from 1956 to 1958 during the administration of Mayor Bob Carr (1899-1967), who served from 1956 to 1967. Dedicated October 3, 1958, the building served as Orlando’s City Hall until its implosion on October 25, 1991, following the construction of a new city hall less than 10 feet away.
Original commemorative plaque: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
An "L" from the 1958 Orlando City Hall in Downtown Orlando, Florida. The building was designed by noted Orlando architect Richard Boone Rogers under the administration of Mayor William Beardall (1890-1984), who served from 1940 to 1952, and the land was acquired during the administration of Mayor J. Rolfe Davis (1904-1988), who served from 1953 to 1956. The building was constructed by Tampa-based firm C. A. Fielland from 1956 to 1958 during the administration of Mayor Bob Carr (1899-1967), who served from 1956 to 1967. Dedicated October 3, 1958, the building served as Orlando’s City Hall until its implosion on October 25, 1991, following the construction of a new city hall less than 10 feet away.
Original letter: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
The implosion of the 1958 Orlando City Hall, which was featured in Lethal Weapon 3. During Mayor Bill Frederick’s (b. 1934) campaign to beautify and transform Orlando, a new city hall had been built to replace the one built in 1958 under Mayor Bob Carr (1899-1967). Through the marketing efforts of Orlando-based production manager Oscar Testagrossa, the city government’s desire to demolish the old city hall attracted the attention of Hollywood production company Silver Pictures. A $50,000 agreement between the City of Orlando and the production company for exclusive rights to footage of the implosion worked to offset the $80,000 demolition cost. The demolition was contracted to the Orlando firm Chapman &amp
Sons, Inc. with its explosives phase subcontracted to Controlled Demolition, Inc. (CDI) of Phoenix, Maryland. Before the demolition, the new city hall—less than 10 feet away—was insured for $20 million. Through a collaborative effort between CDI and Warner Bros. to synchronize 180 pounds of explosives and 400 special effects charges, the building collapsed within six seconds.
Original color film still: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
"Right to Know" Award for Mayor Carl T. Langford
This wooden wall mount was awarded to Mayor Carl T. Langford (1918-2011) by the Sigma Delta Chi Chapter, a local journalism fraternity, in 1968. 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. A businessman, Mayor Langford played a significant role in expanding Orlando with the installation of the Orlando International Airport. He also served as mayor during the Civil Rights Movement and played a role in integrating the city. Mayor Langford promoted the inclusion of African Americans in the city police academy. He also created a policy that allowed African Americans to become firemen, making Orlando the first city in the state to have African-American firefighters.
Original plaque, 1968: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Mayor Carl T. Langford and the Orlando City Council
Mayor Carl T. Langford (1918-2011) and members of the Orlando City Council. Standing from left to right are District 2 City Commissioner Shelton Adams, District 3 City Commissioner Thomas M. Brownlee, District 1 City Commissioner Donald L. Crenshaw and District 4 City Commissioner Arthur "Pappy" Kennedy. Seated from left to right are a contractor, Mayor Carl Thomas Langford and Grace Ann Chewning. Kennedy was the first African-American city commissioner for Orlando. Chewning was the city clerk and the wife of the Orlando Police Department's (OPD) Chief of Police, Robert Joseph Chewning. 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. A businessman, Mayor Langford played a significant role in expanding Orlando with the installation of the Orlando International Airport. He also served as mayor during the Civil Rights Movement and played a role in integrating the city. Mayor Langford promoted the inclusion of African Americans in the city police academy. He also created a policy that allowed African Americans to become firemen, making Orlando the first city in the state to have African-American firefighters.
Original color photograph: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
Mayor Carl T. Langford's Big Key to the City of Orlando
The city key presented to Mayor Carl T. Langford (1918-2011). 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. A businessman, Mayor Langford played a significant role in expanding Orlando with the installation of the Orlando International Airport. He also served as mayor during the Civil Rights Movement and played a role in integrating the city. Mayor Langford promoted the inclusion of African Americans in the city police academy. He also created a policy that allowed African Americans to become firemen, making Orlando the first city in the state to have African-American firefighters.
Mayor William Beardall's Key to the City of Orlando
The city key presented to Mayor William Beardall (1890-1984). Beardall served as Mayor of Orlando from 1940 to 1952. He served four consecutive terms through the turbulent years of World War II and its aftermath. While in office he upgraded the city infrastructure including construction of a new sewage plant, expansion of paved roads and highways, and various airport additions, all of which aided the overall growth of the city.
This older model wooden police baton was used as a non-lethal alternative when making arrests. This baton was owned by Robert Joseph Chewning (b. 1923), who had served as Chief of Police for the Orlando Police Department (OPD) from 1967 to 1973. Chief Chewning was born October 22, 1923, in Baltimore, Maryland. After serving in the Eighth Air Force (8 AF) of the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, he migrated to Central Florida and began his law enforcement career with OPD in 1946. While Chief Chewning was in office he made great strides in modernizing the agency. He instituted several progressive programs, including issuing portable radios to patrol officers. One of his successful plans was to give financial aid to officers under his charge to pursue higher education and obtain their college degrees. Chief Chewning later served as the Director of Public Safety for Orange County.
Original nightstick: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.
The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 6, November 9, 1994
The sixth issue of The Watermark was published on November 9, 1994, and discusses community reactions to several LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) issues. Notably, the major issue covered was a discussion of Tom Woodard, a police officer who five years earlier revealed he was gay and fought for the right to remain employed despite that. This issue also addressed community reactions to the death of Marion Baker, who was a larger than life gay activist, even though she was straight. The paper also continues its trend of publishing international articles this time focusing on, the Supreme Court consideration to ban gays from adoption, a lesbian couple in Utah being denied family housing, a man who was shot in San Francisco for holding another man’s hand, and Russia’s requirement for international visitors to be tested for HIV/AIDS. Another article focuses on southeast exclusive grocery chain, Publix attempting to convince its voting customers to vote in alignment with the Religious Right. An important note is that this issue is missing two-pages, pages 15 and 16. 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 28-page newspaper: The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 6, November 9, 1994: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 5, October 26, 1994
The fifth issue of The Watermark was published on October 26, 1994, and attempted to balance family and politics in dealing with national LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) issues. This new perception allowed the front page to have an article on the developing Gay Neighborhoods in Orlando and on the involvement of gay voters in upcoming elections. Another major section of the paper was dedicated to the scandal revolving around state representative Jimmy Charles, and the sex solicitation case that he was involved in that resulted in him addressing homosexuals in the same breath as pedophiles, delinquents, pimps, and more. Continuing its trend of publishing international stories, this issue addresses the Oregon Citizen Alliance accusing gays as being key participants in the Holocaust, a Colorado anti-gay bill being declared unconstitutional, and the World Health Organization’s addressing of a vaccine to treat HIV. Another issue covered was the inequality of credit for LGBTQ+ members and the proposed gay credit union for Orlando. Finally, this issue saw a spike in advertisements specifically targeting HIV+/AIDS patients. 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 28-page newspaper: The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 5, October 26, 1994: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 4, October 12, 1994
The fourth issue of The Watermark was published on October 12, 1994, and shifted toward a heavier political focus dealing with national LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) issues. The front page is primarily dedicated to the discussion on the participations of "Gays in the Local Media." The other portion of the front page discusses how local politicians participate in the Metropolitan Business Association (MBA) Forum, notably addressing the political careers of Buddy Dyer (b. 1958) and Fran Pignone. The discussion of the articles and articles on the next page discuss the need to maintain anti-discrimination laws. The issue also addresses the HIV-AIDS Institute disconnecting from the University of Central (UCF_, and the remaining offices of HIV-AIDS Education and the "Info-Maniacs," a peer education program. The issue then continued the trend of publishing international issues such as, Maryland’s decision on Parental Rights for gay parents, San Francisco’s fight for non-discrimination for private businesses, and South Africa’s condemnation of Gay Pride. This fourth issue also saw the return of discussion about parties and circuit life, this time covered in an article about Madis Gras in Australia. 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 24-page newspaper: The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 4, October 12, 1994: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 3, September 28, 1994
The third issue of The Watermark was published on September 28, 1994 and continued to focus on family-orientated LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) issues. The front page was dedicated to two articles, one about the rapidly increasing gay marriage movement, and the other focusing on National Coming Out Day. The third page included a half page obituary for Charles W. Hummer III, who died of AIDS of September 19, 2016. The paper continued to publish more national stories this time including, New York’s push to include "significant others" on insurance benefits, the limitations put on lesbian mothers in Utah, and a dental discrimination case in Texas. The paper also continues to discuss discrimination in schools that had started in the previous issue. 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 24-page newspaper: The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 3, September 28, 1994: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
Hilton Walt Disney World Village, Orlando, Florida
The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 2, September 14, 1994
The second issue of The Watermark was published on September 14, 1994, and focused on a wider spectrum of LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) topics. Kicking off the news was the cover article covering the "Gayby Boom," which was the push for LGBTQ+ members to have children. Continuing a more family-focused set of articles was an article covering the harassment of gay teens at Apopka High School, a look at the LGBTQ+ community housing market, and a new section of restaurant reviews. This issue also included a larger selection of national news stories, including Oregon’s Anti-Gay initiative, Seattle’s Domestic Partnership Registration, North Carolina’s attempt to keep records of unmarried couples, and the U.S. Navy’s reinstatement of a gay sailor are among the highlights. Notably missing are articles covering the nightlife of the area, through advertisements are still present. As the publication ages and spreads, nightlife becomes one of its primary sections so seeing an early issue without demonstrates the evolving nature of the publication during its early years. 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 24-page newspaper: The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 2, September 14, 1994: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 1, August 31, 1994
The inaugural issue of The Watermark was published on August 31, 1994, and focused on several hot topics that were abuzz in the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) community. Hit topics included the cover story interviewing Married… With Children co-star Amanda Bearse (b. 1958) who was promoting her new special Out There II, an all LGBTQ+ comedy special. Similar topics of LGBTQ+ public exposure are scattered throughout the issue, including Fran Pigone, a pro-LGBTQ candidate for Orange County Commission Chairman, "Florida’s Freshest Fruit," an all LGBTQ improv troupe, and Brian Fagan, a gay man and one of Orlando’s premier runners. This first issue also included national LGBTQ+ news stories such as California’s Spousal Rights Bill, Yale’s same-sex partner health care plans, and Maine’s anti-gay initiatives. Another major component of the issue was discussion about Orlando’s LGBTQ+ nightlife locations and opportunities. In this issue, it was discussed that Tracks, a prominent bar had closed, and that Boxcars had opened in its place. Boxcars subsequently published a full page ad on the final page of the issue. 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 24-page newspaper: The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 1, August 31, 1994: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.