WINTER GARDEN 8
Charm Blooms from City’s Citrus History A
The city with a 'juicy past' blends historic heritage and modern living.
ttracted by the fertile muck land that bordered Lake Apopka, settlers began arriving in the Winter Garden area by the 1850s. Newcomers engaged in citrus and vegetable farming, and lived in small settlements situated along the lake’s south shore. By the end of the 19th century, Winter Garden’s business district had grown alongside the two railroad lines that ran through the city. The commercial buildings were rebuilt with brick after two fires destroyed the wooden buildings and packinghouses that stood along Plant and Main streets. Winter Garden was established in 1903 and incorporated as a city in 1908. The population of Winter Garden had grown to more than 1,000 people by 1920, and the city quickly became the center of commerce and agriculture in West Orange County. Lake Apopka’s emergence as “the large-mouth bass capital” attracted tourists, and the Edgewater Hotel opened in 1927 to accommodate these visitors. Early residents either owned or worked in the groves. As the citrus industry grew in importance and acreage, the commercial district continued to expand. Winter Garden’s rapid development slowed considerably in the late 1960s. Lake Apopka had become severely polluted, and the construction of major highways in the area drew businesses away from downtown. Despite the challenges, Winter Garden’s architectural heritage remained intact. The establishment of the West Orange Trail attracted thousands of visitors eager to patronize the new shops and restaurants that moved into the old buildings. Today, Winter Garden’s Historic District serves as a successful example of historic preservation. Infill development, redevelopment, repurposed buildings, preservation, housing and businesses all converge to create a thriving downtown that draws people from around the world.
LOCAL MOTION 2022
