Sanford’s Swedish Labor and the Creation of the New Upsala Settlement
By Rachel Williams Before Gen. Henry Sanford incorporated the Florida town that would bear his name in 1877, significant preparatory work was required. In 1870, Sanford purchased over 12,000 acres of land west of Mellonville, intending to enter the state’s burgeoning citrus industry. He began by clearing the land and
El Real Retiro: The Royal Retreat of New Smyrna, Florida
By Emily Coughlan from the Spring 2024 Edition of Reflections Magazine In the early 1920s, both tourism and land sales were booming in Central Florida. Wealthy northerners were cultivating properties in Florida to escape the harsh winters. One such property, built in 1923, was first known as the “Handley House”
Dig into your Canadian roots with your local library
It’s interesting how advances in science plays a role in learning about our past. DNA testing has helped people explore their genealogy in ways that were previously not possible. Orange County Library System can help you explore DNA and many other aspects of genealogy. For more information on these and
Barney the Buffalo: Wild West History in Downtown Orlando
by Joy Wallace Dickinson Pioneer Florida was a lot like the Wild West, so perhaps it’s fitting that an icon of the American frontier – a venerable bison named Barney – made his mark in history and rumbled into eternity on the sandy main drag of a Florida city, Orlando,
The Church of Iron Oak: Rooted in Brevard County
By Kelly D’Ambrosio, Digital Archivist, Orange County Regional History Center During the mid-1990s, Wiccan classes and workshops were regularly advertised in the faith section of the Brevard County newspaper, Florida Today. Interest in the religion was typically demonstrated by news outlets during October, but Brevard was home to local groups
Discover how immigration records can be a rich source for genealogy research
Each month we are pleased to share the Orange County Library System’s schedule of genealogy events. Classes are held at the West Oaks Branch in Ocoee or online. To learn more about these and the vast resources of the library, visit ocls.info. Mastering Genealogical Proof Study Group Virtual Tuesday, June
Pat O’Hare: Shaping Cocoa Beach Surf History
By Jeremy Hileman, Assistant Curator Positioned at the midpoint of Florida’s Atlantic Coast, Cocoa Beach has long been synonymous with surfing. The city’s reputation has attracted seasoned professionals and novices alike, with the beach’s warm water and mild waves making it an excellent spot to learn the sport. By the
Commodore Rose and the River of Freedom
By Rick Kilby from the Spring 2024 Edition of Reflections Magazine Who Was Commodore Rose in Pioneer Florida?” reads a February 1975 headline for Marian Godown’s “Here’s Florida” feature in the Fort Myers News-Press. Godown invited readers to take a quickie quiz: was the Commodore the owner of a steamboat
Library’s study group can help you learn about your Native American roots
It’s interesting to consider AI’s role in genealogy research and the Orange County Library System is doing just that during the month of May. This and many other classes are offered by OCLS through their Genealogy Center located at the West Oaks Branch in Ocoee. Learn more about the many
What Remains: A Land Called Wewahotee
By Kelly D’Ambrosio, Digital Archivist, Orange County Regional History Center Land changes hands and names as the years pass, extending its story with each transaction. In the case of a lost Central Florida community named Wewahotee – now often spelled Wewahootee – an expansive story has become muddled by time