AIR DATE AUGUST 26, 2021
Title: History of Orange County
In this episode of Emily Tells All, we explore the many layers of history that make up Orange County.
Guests and Locations
Harry P. Leu Gardens, Executive Director, Robert Bowden
Orange County Regional History Center & Historical Society of Central Florida, Chief Curator, Pam Schwartz
Exploring the History of Orange County, Florida
The sunny state of Florida is full of rich history. And Orange County is no exception. It’s been a popular travel destination for decades thanks to famous attractions like Disney World and Universal Studios.
But while the theme parks might exude all the visible glamour to draw tourists, a closer look will reveal that Orange County has much more to discover. Each individual town has its own allure- layers that have built over time to make it what it is today.
Pam Schwartz, the executive director of the Orange County Regional History Center, shines light on those layers to reveal the dynamic story of Orange County. Robert Bowden, executive director of Harry P. Leu Gardens, chimes in as well.
The Genesis Story of Orange County
The true story of how it all began in Orange County could go back infinitely. However, the history center has managed to account for about 14,000 years of history, spread across four floors of exhibitions at the museum.
Pam elaborates, “14,000 years of history across the seven-county region. So, it’s Orange County and each of the counties that touch it are part of the stories here.”
Of course, all things begin by exploring the natural environment and prehistoric landscape. Did you know that the peninsula didn’t even exist at one point in time? There is also a bog burial site in central Florida, some 6,000 to 7,000 years old that no one ever talks about.
Florida was under battle for ownership among Spanish, British, French, and Indigenous people for hundreds of years. This even moves into the 1800s. And much of our modern history emphasizes that era of control.
“But at that point in the 1800s is really when Orlando as we know it starts to build … Orlando itself is actually plaited from this very spot that we’re standing on,” explains Pam.
The 1900s brought a real estate boom to Florida, followed by the railroads, which is what truly made Orange County traversable. People would hop on a railroad car and come down to see all sorts of roadside attractions well before Disney’s inception.
We encourage you to take a visit to see Orange County’s 14,000 years of history and take a minute to notice them in your present-day adventures. History is all around us.
Orange County’s Historical Gardens
Leu Gardens is a historical 50-acre botanical garden located in Orange County. It’s bursting with tropical plants and a diverse ecosystem that flourishes under Florida’s sunny climate.
Residents and tourists alike can enjoy the gardens, as they are open to the public. But it wasn’t always a public space.
The grounds once belonged to Harry P. Leu and his wife Mary Jane Leu as part of their private residence. “And in 1961, he donated the 50 acres to the city of Orlando, which operates the gardens today,” says Robert.
There are over 6,500 varieties of plants at Leu Gardens- including the third largest collection of clematis in North America. While you’re here, take advantage of the many educational programs offered and enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the grandeur of Orange County’s gardens.
