OCOEE

A Blossoming ‘Apricot Vine’

Ocoee, aka the 'Center of Good Living,' is carving a new identity from its roots.

Ocoee originally was formed as a small agricultural settlement supported by bustling local citrus and vegetable industries. The Florida Legislature recognized the Town of Ocoee as a municipality in 1921 before it became a city in May 1925.

In the mid-1800s, the township, which initially only had 820 residents, first was settled adjacent to Starke Lake — southeast of Lake Apopka.

Ocoee was the name of a subdivision platted by Dr. H.K. Clarke, Charles J. Chunn and R.B.F. Roper, who created the Town of Ocoee subdivision in 1886, and named it after a river in Tennessee.

In the Cherokee language, the word “Ocoee” means “apricot vine,” which is why the city utilizes the passion flower in its logo.

It was also during that time the first school was established. In 1880, a three-sided hut was located on Floral Street — which would later be replaced twice — and Mrs. E. D. Perkins was its first teacher.

As tracks were completed for the Florida Midland Railroad in the 1880s, the town boomed. It experienced rapid growth as settlers moved in to take advantage of the available farmland, and the area bustled as more lucrative citrus groves replaced other crops.

Along with the growth came the success of a strong and vibrant black community, which came to prosper in the area. Unfortunately, that growth — along with the passing of the Reconstruction Amendments — was met with animosity. On Election Day 1920, white mobs murdered an unknown number of black residents — including July Perry — and burned the community to the ground.

Since those tragic days, much has changed in Ocoee. The Ocoee City Commission — and the city government in general — now includes more diversity than ever.

WELCOME TO OCOEE

What makes Ocoee, the “Center of Good Living,” a great place to live and work? The answer is easy: the people who live and work in our city. Ocoee is a welcoming community that offers a familyoriented, hometown atmosphere. It is a great place to raise a family. The city offers many recreational, employment and educational opportunities.

Our 14 parks offer many options for boating, sports facilities, playgrounds, picnics and even a dog park. The city also recently built a pickleball facility at Tiger Minor Park, as well as two new tennis courts. A soccer field now has been added at the Jim Beech Athletic Center, and the city has started Phase 1 of the cemetery beautification project.

The city is focusing on revitalizing our historic downtown. Several new businesses and eateries have opened, and more are planned. This has been made possible by the addition of sewer and water lines in the area. The new state-ofthe-art downtown master stormwater park under construction will serve as a passive nature park and will be named Unity Park.

We will be moving into our new City Hall in the next few weeks. It is a building our residents can be proud of. I invite everyone to come to our city and see for yourself what is being accomplished and what makes Ocoee such a popular destination for new residents. — Mayor Rusty Johnson

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

SPRING Ocoee Easter Eggstravaganza. Children in Ocoee enjoy an egg hunt, games, crafts and an appearance by the Easter Bunny.

Ocoee Music Festival. Formerly known as Ocoee Founders’ Day Festival, this event has taken place for the last 27 years to celebrate Ocoee’s small-town traditions with live music, community engagement and more.

FALL Haunted House Halloween Event. Each year, the city of Ocoee puts together its own themed haunted house — 951 Ocoee Apopka Road, Ocoee — complete with a haunted walk and activities for children.

WINTER City of Ocoee Christmas Parade. Kick off the holiday season with a jolly parade through Ocoee.

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

n Ocoee City Hall: 50 N. Lakeshore Drive, (407) 905-3109 n Cable/internet: Spectrum, (407) 291-2500;

DIRECTV, (866) 906-2621;

DISH, (844) 306-7067;

AT&T, (866) 817-0776; CenturyLink, (877) 862-9343;

EarthLink, (844) 903-3107 n Power/electric: Duke

Energy, (800) 700-8744 n Fire: City of Ocoee Fire/

Rescue, (407) 905-3129 n Police: Ocoee Police Department,(407) 905-3160 n Solid waste: (407) 905-3170 LOCAL MOTION 2022n Utilities (water, sewer): (407) 905-3159

LOCAL LEADERS

Mayor Rusty Johnson Prior to his election as mayor, Johnson was District 3 commissioner from 1999 to 2015 and District 1 commissioner from 1986 to 1997. Johnson is currently employed by Gosselin Realty. He is retired from the U.S. Postal Service, where he served with the Ocoee Post Office for many years. Johnson served in the U.S. Army and is a Vietnam veteran.

District 1 Commissioner Larry Brinson Sr. A retired/disabled veteran, Brinson served more than 20 years in the U.S. Marines. Currently, Brinson works for the Orlando Police Department. Brinson sees himself as “semi-retired” — with an emphasis on “semi” — because there is always something to do.

Mayor Pro-Tem, District 2 Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen Wilsen has served on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Spring Fling Committee and Ocoee Merit Board. She graduated from the Citizens Police Academy, the Ocoee Community Emergency Response Team training and is a former member of the Ocoee Education Committee.

District 3 Commissioner Richard Firstner Firstner lives in Wesmere and has been involved in the city of Ocoee for the past 20 years. Firstner retired as fire chief for the city of Ocoee in 2009, after 14 years of service to the community.

District 4 Commissioner George Oliver III Oliver has served in a variety of roles in and around the city. Among the list of accomplishments includes becoming the first black commissioner in the city’s history, partnering with Orange County to bring the Health Community Program to the city of Ocoee and establishing the city’s first youth council.

City Manager Robert Frank Frank graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a master’s degree in public administration. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology from the State University of New York. He has a broad range of experience, including as an assistant city manager, deputy county manager, director of public works, paramedic and police officer.

NOTABLE NAMES

n Captain Bluford M. Sims was a native of Tennessee who served in the Confederacy. He purchased a piece of land from Dr. J. D. Starke and was able to establish the first citrus nursery in the United States and served as contractor for the first framed court house in Orlando.

n James D. Starke moved to the Ocoee area around 1850 with 23 enslaved black people and established citrus groves between what is now known as Starke Lake and Apopka.

n Dr. H.K. Clarke, Charles J. Chunn and R.B.F. Roper created the Town of Ocoee subdivision in 1886.

n William Blakely arrived in 1881 in Ocoee. He soon became a principal and teacher. He also served as postmaster and justice of the peace. In 1913, he bought a home on West Oakland Avenue and converted one of the rooms into a library, which he allowed the community to use. Blakely devoted more than 50 years to teaching, running a general store and promoting Ocoee as a desirable place to live.