ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings joined historians in downtown Orlando on Sunday to mark the county’s 200th birthday.
Speaking at the Orange County Regional History Center, Demings said the occasion was not just about looking back, but forward as well.
“We look ahead to the next two hundred years we will build together,” Demings said. “Our county’s history is still being written.”
Established on December 29, 1824, under the name “Mosquito County,” the original region encompassed a large area of central and eastern Florida. Over time, this land was divided and now constitutes parts, if not all, of present-day Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Marion, Martin, Seminole, Osceola, Orange, Lake, Polk, and Palm Beach counties.
During the bicentennial celebration on a Sunday, Rachel Williams, a historian with the center, reminisced about the origins of the citrus industry that brought recognition to Orange County through its namesake.
She highlighted, “With the establishment of Orange County, the citrus industry in this area experienced remarkable growth. While it would flourish even more in the future, it was already quite significant. It is worth noting that oranges were initially brought to this area by the Spanish.”
As Orange County marks 200 years since its founding, we’ve compiled a selection of stories that reach as far back, recording glimpses of the area’s history:
Have you heard of Mosquito County in Florida? It’s probably not on your map
Turn back the clock and read of Orange County’s beginnings as a 11,400-square-mile region named after the pesky, blood-sucking insects that plague us to this day.
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Greenwood Cemetery is the eternal home of Orlando’s history makers. This tour shows you the haunted side
Visit Orlando’s Greenwood Cemetery for a tour of historically-signifigant burial sites, such as that of July Perry, Harry P. Leu, Joseph Bumby and more.
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Eatonville neighbors share memories of historic club ahead of restoration
There’s much to be lauded of the historic town of Eatonville, the first-ever municipality to be organized, governed and incorporated by African-American citizens.
This story touches on just an aspect, as the town anticipates restoring its Club Eaton, a venue that first opened in 1946 to host legends such as James Brown and Aretha Franklin until its closure in 2008.
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Orange County’s library system turns 100. Here are 10 surprising services it offers
Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the opening of Orange County’s first publicly-funded library.
Now an expansive network, the Orange County Library System has flourished to become a provider of all things entertainment to education.
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Pine Hills: A community shaped by rich history
The near-Orlando neighborhood of Pine Hills was the subject of News 6′s latest Hits The Road special, where — from cultural eats to community enrichment, mental health, pedestrian safety and more — we reported on the Orange County area’s complicated history.
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Old Florida: This Maitland fruit stand still going strong. Here’s how to get your oranges, grapefruit
Although the tough decision has since been made to close Hollieanna Groves’ Maitland citrus stand, the business’ more-than 70-year history is well worth a taste.
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The pioneering women architects who called Central Florida home
Isabel Roberts and Ida Ryan were some of the first female architects in the U.S. and the designers behind a 1924 “Prairie Style” bandstand that predicated the Lake Eola bandshell we know today.
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Memorial honors victims of Ocoee Massacre
2020 marked 100 years since the Ocoee Massacre, where on Nov. 2, 1920, a Black man from Ocoee was turned away from casting his ballot in the presidential election.
After the man went to the home of his friend — Julius “July” Perry — to ask for counsel, a mob of White men lynched Perry, set fire to homes in the black community and forced families out of the city.
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32825: A look at the growth, history of the ZIP code in east Orange County
The 32825 ZIP code was among the first foci of News 6′s Hits The Road specials.
UCF History Professor Dr. Jim Clark joined Ezzy Castro for a look at a bustling Orange County community that 100 years ago was said to be “cattle country.”
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Florida version of Hatfields & McCoys: This feud left 8 dead, including Orange County sheriff
You’ve probably heard of the Hatfields and McCoys, but did you know that Central Florida had its own feud that claimed the lives of at least eight people and lasted more than 50 years?
The Barber–Mizell feud began in 1870 after Orange County Sheriff David Mizell was shot and killed in an ambush, and didn’t officially end until 1940 when members of the Barber and Mizell families were hitched.
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How a fight over beer landed Walt Disney World in Orlando instead of St. Louis
Walt Disney World is part of the fabric of Florida, but did you know the theme park almost ended up in St. Louis instead of Orlando?
Dr. Jim Clark joined News 6′s Florida’s Fourth Estate to discuss how Walt Disney had his eye on the “Show Me” state well before he began eyeing the “Sunshine State,” but a fight over beer changed everything.
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People in Orlando reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.’s only visit to City Beautiful
The next time you may find yourself in Orlando’s Tinker Field, know it was the same spot that in March 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to a crowd of some 2,000 people about the importance of voting, nonviolence and equality for everyone.
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Dubsdread public golf course celebrates a century in Orlando
Earlier this year, Dubsdread Golf Course celebrated 100 years in Orlando’s College Park neighborhood.
First opened in 1924, the city purchased it in 1978, now known for its accessibility as an alternative to private clubs with high fees. The renowned burgers served at the Tap Room Restaurant, too, are quite nice.
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Winter Park historic tour provides look into African American roots
A walking tour in Winter Park keeps alive the stories of Hannibal Square, the city’s historic African-American west side.
The community looks significantly different, but pillars of history stand tall — an ode to the Black families who were self-sustaining, many of them owning land and property.
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Here’s why Orlando International Airport goes by MCO, not OIA
What’s your nickname for Orlando International Airport?
Some people say OIA. Some people say MCO, which is the airport’s official code, but the airport wants to make sure you know — it’s MCO.
Read more by clicking here.
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