Azalea Park A History

This Orlando neighborhood was created from the remains of a private air field and was
considered at the time to be the crowning achievement for developer Wellborn C. Phillips, Sr.
The celebration of the 60th anniversary of the neighborhood raised interest in its history, so we
will provide what we may here for others to enjoy, hopefully sparking some memories that will
be added to this site. This is a work in progress, so, if you have any information that has been
omitted or find a need for correction, please contact us.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Do you have any memories of living in Azalea Park? Want to know more about adding your
memories to Orlando Memory? Don't hesitate to contact us. We are available to assist with any
aspect of you participating in this community project.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The beginning of this research started with an abstract-of-title for a home in the neighborhood. It
reported a history of Florida's goal to make the state as inviting as possible and provided copies
of documents pertaining to the history of ownership of the parcel of land on which the house
sits. We have attempted to present here certain pieces of that history which will be of interest to
all.
Knowing certain details regarding the history of this land prompted a visit to the Orange County
Comptroller's website, where official records and documents may be viewed. We have
attempted to provide a preview image of any documents found and a link to view the original
image which will be much larger and in most cases, able to be enlarged. We have also found
some interesting documents on the Orange County Property Appraiser's website.
We hope that you enjoy this journey through history and participate in Orlando Memory by
submitting your own memorable entries.
According to the historical land survey map below, this area of Orange County was originally
surveyed in 1843 by Henry Washington, George Washington‟s nephew. The original Azalea
Park region is located in the area of section 27. Note all of the areas that are labeled „Swamp.‟
Lake Barton spans the border area of sections 28 and 21. Click here to see the zoomable map
at the Orange County Property Appraiser's website.
Click here to compare this historical map with a current map.
Have you ever heard the saying, “If you believe that one, I have some swampland in Florida to
sell you”? In 1881, Philadelphia industrialist Hamilton Disston purchased 4 million acres of
Florida at 25 cents an acre, and a lot of that acreage consisted of swampy land. His goal was to
straighten out the Kissimmee River and dig canals to drain off the excess waters of the
Kissimmee River Valley to make more land available for developing and attracting more
investors.
This page is from one of several documents. Part of the Azalea Park area is listed on page 3.
See the documents on the Orange County Comptroller's website.
Hamilton Disston (FloridaMemory.com)
Read more about Hamilton Disston.
See a photograph of one of his dredges.
In 1883 He signed over some of the lands to Sir Edward James Reed, including the Azalea Park
area. Reed was reportedly one of Disston‟s backers in the purchase. He had been the architect
for the British navy, having designed war ships, and he was very interested in the development
of the railroads in Florida.
View larger image
Read more about Sir E. J. Reed.
By 1914 the Overstreet Supply Company had acquired this land and sold it to investors.
View Overstreet ad. (See Page 5) View the photo of M.O. Overstreet.
Read more about Moses Oscar Overstreet.
By January 1915 the investors had defaulted on the mortgage and the property was sold by
court order. The defendants had very interesting names!
View larger image. (See page 5.)
Ath Mouzakiotis and Lesemarhas Caftanzoglu are the names of the investors who were not able
to hold on to the property. We have not been able to find anything about Mr. Mouzakiotis but,
Mr. Caftanzoglu appears to have been the Charge d‟Affaires of Greece in the United States.
View the full page of the Los Angeles Times.
The Overstreet Supply Company regained the deed to the property and had it in reserve for the
Pocataw Lumber and Turpentine Company. Pocataw, Florida was located along the Florida
East Coast Railway line that ran south through Geneva, Chuluota, Lake Picket, Bithlow, etc. On
the map below, Azalea Park would be approximately where the 'a' is of Rowena.
View more historic Florida maps.
By 1937 the land had changed hands several times and was owned by an out-of state investor
when the Cannon & Mills Aircraft company purchased it in November.
View the full document at the Orange County Comptroller's website.
The following January (1938) the owners, James Williams (J.W.) Cannon III and Wilson
Lawrence Mills, held an air show at their brand new Cannon Mills Air Port.
Here is what the Bat Man looked like.
See the full Bat Man article to learn about the first Bat Man.
Remember the air show was on January 29, 1938? On February 13, 1938, the 22 year old J.
W. Cannon III died of injuries sustained when his plane crashed the day before in South
Carolina, near his family's home. The entry in A CHRONICLE OF THE AVIATION INDUSTRY
IN AMERICA 1903 -1947: A SALUTE TO THE AVIATION INDUSTRY (see page 65) reads,
"February 12 — J W Cannon, III, member of the North Carolina cotton textile family, is killed in
an airplane crash."
J. W. Cannon III grave marker
In April of 1940, Vice President Wilson L. Mills sold the air field to Florida Aeronautical and
Supply Company, which was owned by Thomas Gordon.
View document on Orange County Comptroller website.
The new owner retained the name of the field, as illustrated by this 1941 telephone book
advertisement. Florida Aeronautical maintained the field for owners to fly in their planes for parts
and servicing, as well as to continue offering flight instruction.
Thomas Gordon also owned a taxi cab company and created the Orlando Airlines, which soon
became Florida Airways with plans for intra-state service, flying out of the Municipal Airport, now
known as the Orlando Executive Airport. By mid 1949 the company was absorbed by other
airlines, and the Citizens and Southern National Bank of Atlanta, Georgia claimed the property
off of Lake Barton Road.
Read more about Florida Airways.
This is what the Cannon Mills airport looked like from the air in 1947.
See the full 1947 aerial photograph.
In 1951 Wellborn C. Phillips bought the property from the bank.
View the full document at the Orange County Comptroller website.
The first plat for the new neighborhood was filed on April 2, 1952.
View the document on the Orange County Comptroller site.
Note where Willow Drive was originally planned!
This article appeared in the May 18, 1952 newspaper.
(Read the article below.)
(Continued from above)
They broke ground 1952 (mid-May).
View original photograph at the Orange County Regional History Center.
(Newspaper clipping submitted by Virginia de Guehery.)
Here is a 1954 aerial photo of the neighborhood.
A typical new home in Azalea Park.
(These photos of a new home in Azalea Park were submitted by Virginia de Guehery.)
A typical kitchen in the new homes came supplied with a new refrigerator and stove.
Back in the day, one could get utilities hooked up for just $10!
(Image submitted by Virginia de Guehery.)
Here is one of Mr. Phillips' promotional license plate holders.
View a larger image at the Orange County Regional History Center.
Mr. Phillips threw a party for the new neighborhood's first birthday!
Mr. Phillips was not only a big planner; he was also a very generous one. One article stated that
he provided 2-acre lots of land for 5 churches.
A Presbyterian church near the corner of Willow and Dogwood.
(1955? Photo submitted by Cherry Martin.)
A Methodist church at the intersection of Willow and Mimosa.
(Easter Sunday, 1956. Photo submitted by Cherry Martin.)
An Episcopal Church at the corner of Willow and Dahlia.
(First confirmation class, unknown date. Clipping submitted by Virginia de Guehery.)
Does anyone have any photos of the other two?
Azalea Park was immediately popular, and in need of its own elementary school. Unfortunately,
the school board was not in a position to finance a new school at the time, as the following
newspaper article states.
(Newspaper clipping submitted by Virginia de Guehery.)
The article mentions the possibility of using some of the old military buildings at "Signal Hill."
Where was Signal Hill? We looked it up in an old telephone book.
Here is a 1954 aerial photo of the 4900 East Colonial Drive area.
View the full, original photograph.
While we are in this area we should point out that La Cantina has been serving Orlando families
since 1947. Here (below) is one of their ads from the old phone book. Notice the emphasis on
Italian, compared with today's interest in Steak!
Azalea Park had it own chapter of the Orlando Garden Club. This newspaper page has the
announcement that Betty Hurd, a member of Azalea Park's Red Hat Circle won first place for
her Hibiscus arrangement.
(Clipping submitted by Virginia de Guehery.)
Azalea Park had its own chapter of the Lions Club.
(Lions Club photos submitted by Virginia de Guehery.)
A P Lions Club Members
A P Lions Club Social Event
Also in 1954, a new swimming pool was announced for the neighborhood.
(Newspaper clipping submitted by Virginia deGuehery.)
The man with the shovel is Gerald Archer. He was very active in Azalea Park and according to
his daughter, Pat Elliot, this was the ground breaking for the Azalea Park Community Club. The
Club never got built, only the pool. You can see Episcopal Church in the background before the
new sanctuary was built.
(Photo and notes submitted by Virginia de Guehery.)
The neighborhood would have its own swim team. Here is a photo of the team with Coach Bill
Hurd.
Johnny Hegert went on to be on the FSU swim and dive team and competed in All American.
See John Hegert's FSU Career Page.
Dr. Thomas Hegert's large family lived on Dahlia Drive for many years. He was the first to hold
this office for both counties.
Read more about Dr. Hegert.
Betty Hurd continued coaching the neighborhood team. See more about Betty Hurd.
(Photo submitted by BarbaraKay Crume McCann)
Here are a few of the many patches that the neighborhood swim teams wore over the years.
The Azalea Park success story got Wellborn Phillips on the front page of the Wall Street
Journal. The Orlando Sentinel was so pleased about the little article in the lower right hand
corner that they reprinted the front page of the WSJ and added all of the extras, such as
highlighting the article, a drawing of one of his house plans, Mr. Phillips photo and his written
response to being recognized by the Journal.
Earlier articles and statements indicated that there was to be a community center built for
Azalea Park. It is possible that it did not materialize because Mr. Phillips became interested in
another project about this time. In 1955 he bought 250 acres of cattle grazing land just east of
Chickasaw Trail and in 1957 the Rio Pinar County Club was incorporated. This amazing project
would have a club house with a Florida shaped swimming pool. Read the history of the club in
their 50th anniversary publication, A History of Rio Pinar Country Club: The First Fifty Years,
available for checking out from the Orange County Library System.
Also look for aerial photos showing the pool under construction and completed. There is also
the explanation of its current absence.
One will also find in this book a brief biography of Wellborn C. Phillips, who suffered a severe
stroke in 1957 and was not able to work again. However he lived until April, 1973, and was able
to see the completion of both of his last projects.
In 1956 Good Shepherd Catholic Mission Church held their first service. The school also began
that year with classes held in the church.
Read the history of the school.
The builders of the neighborhood, Phillips Properties, maintained the sales momentum by
celebrating the 6th birthday, placing a half-page ad in the Orlando Sentinel, just below a half
page article about the rapid growth of the neighborhood.
Colonial High School opened in 1958, providing much needed relief for other schools in the
area. It began with a dual schedule: High School classes in the morning and Junior High
classes in the afternoon. Photographs of Colonial High School's construction and early years
are courtesy of Tim Orwick.
Read a Little Sentinel article published for the CHS 20 year anniversary to learn more about the
beginning of “east Orange County‟s high school.”
CHS buildings during construction. See more photos by Tim Orwick of the campus beginnings.
Note that Seniors are directed to the left while Juniors are directed to the right in the photo
below.
The school's bleachers beginning to rise.
Football anyone?
See more CHS football photos by Tim Orwick.
Colonial High School's First Homecoming Parade (1959, 1960?)
Note that the band members do not yet have the iconic Grenadier uniforms.
Here is another Homecoming parade, beginning on campus.
This year (1960, 1961?) the band had the uniforms but not the bearskin helmets.
Here we see Colonial High School Marching Band headed down 2-laned Lake Barton Road
(now Semoran Boulevard.) See more CHS parade photos by Tim Orwick.
The homecoming parade ended at the parking lot at the Azalea Park Shopping Center.
Note the Liggett Rexall Drug Store in the background, where Aaron's Rents is now.
The Food Fair Super Market at Azalea Park. Now, Florida state agency offices, including the
Highway Patrol.
The parade would terminate here with a pep rally.
Below, band members provide car washes to raise funds. This one was across the street at
Gilliam's Corner, built by Harold A. Gilliam in 1955. This is now the Royal Oak Village.
Car washes were (and still are) a popular means of raising money for student activities. This
photo was taken from where the Food Lotto is today, looking out toward Lake Barton Road.
Notice the building in the background - Royal Castle. This popular fast food establishment
served what were, probably, the first "sliders." This is now a gas station and convenience store.
Here are some of the businesses of early Azalea Park, sponsors of the early Colonial High
School yearbooks.
Another photo of Joe Edgar's Sinclair Service Station. For location, think of Popeyes Louisiana
Kitchen, corner of Lake Underhill Road and Semoran Blvd.
PECK'S A & W DRIVE-IN
5300 East Colonial Drive
(A favorite gathering place for after-school refreshments.)
Azalea Park's northern border (East Colonial Drive) used to have the east Orlando welcome
spot.
This was on the northeast corner of the intersection of Colonial and Forsyth Road.
Azalea Park became so popular that a new neighborhood was created and was named New
Azalea Park! Just south of Lake Underhill Road, this new residential area's eastern boundary is
South Goldenrod Road and extends south all the way to Curry Ford Road. It is adjacent to the
Engelwood Park neighborhood.
(Clipping submitted by Michelle Wright.)
Orlando General Hospital opened in 1961. Swim team coach Bill Hurd was the first
administrator.
(Photos are courtesy of Tim Orwick.)
The unfinished parking lot indicates that the photos are circa 1961.
The Italian American Social Club of Orlando had its beginnings 1966.
According to William B. Harwood in his book, Raise Heaven and Earth: The Story of Martin
Marietta People and Their Pioneering Achievements, it was begun by Baltimoreans who found
themselves here working for the Martin Company. They loved eating crabs, and crab fests were
regular events, organized by Tony Bressi. "[H]e formed the first Italian-American Club in
Orlando primarily for the purpose of eating crabs." The clubhouse, located at 5900 Hibiscus
Road, was built in 1972. (Pages 330-331.)
Tony Lombardi, of Lombardi's Seafood in Winter Park was also a member of the club.
The club just celebrated their 50th anniversary.
Over the years the neighborhood has grown. New families have moved in and others have
moved out. We do still have some originals and we hope to get their stories posted here.
This front page article appeared in the June 13, 1999 newspaper.
Page two was all about “The Park.”
Read full article.
Read: Longtime Neighbors See Signs Of Change
Read: Hispanic Residents Have Grown Comfortable
This article was published on September 8, 2012. (Front page, continued on page A-8.)
Read the article.