You’ll find Orange Center’s story in central Florida’s vanished farming settlements. Originally called Englewood, this tight-knit agricultural community thrived on citrus production near Ruby Lake from the early 1900s until the 1960s. The town featured the 7th Street School, local churches, and bustling businesses serving grove workers and their families. Walt Disney Productions’ purchase of 27,440 acres at $180 per acre transformed this rural paradise into today’s Disney World. Many untold stories still linger in the old street grids and forgotten homesteads.
Key Takeaways
- Orange Center transformed from a thriving citrus community into a ghost town following Disney’s massive land acquisition in the 1960s.
- The community’s decline began when Walt Disney Productions purchased 27,440 acres at $180 per acre for theme park development.
- Original infrastructure, including the 1950 7th Street School and old street grid, remains as evidence of the former settlement.
- The area’s agricultural heritage, centered around citrus production and Ruby Lake activities, was displaced by Disney’s development.
- Historical remnants like cemeteries, homesteads, and place names preserve memories of the once-vibrant rural community.
From Englewood to Orange Center: A Town’s Identity Evolution
While Englewood’s early 1900s settlement marked the region’s first organized community, its evolution into Orange Center reflects a complex change of local identity.
You’ll find the roots of this alteration in the pioneering Buchan family’s establishment of essential infrastructure, including the post office and docks at Buchan’s Landing on Dearborn Street.
The community’s resilience shone through after the 1909 Englewood Inn fire, though it dampened tourism prospects.
Despite the devastating 1909 Englewood Inn fire, the local community demonstrated remarkable strength, even as tourism temporarily declined.
The White Elephant Casino later emerged as a vibrant social hub, transforming the area’s entertainment landscape.
As economic shifts unfolded in the 1920s, development efforts expanded beyond Englewood’s core, with land previously dedicated to citrus groves gradually adopting the Orange Center identity. The transformation was particularly evident in one parcel that would later become a ten acre park in 1947.
The area’s movement from agricultural ventures to residential spaces showcased the dynamic nature of local development, though Orange Center ultimately maintained a distinct character from its more commercially oriented neighbor.
The Agricultural Foundations of a Lost Community
The agricultural story of Orange Center begins with Spanish explorers who introduced citrus to Florida in the early 1500s near St. Augustine.
You’ll find that early citrus cultivation faced formidable challenges, including the devastating Great Freeze of 1835, yet community resilience prevailed as farmers adapted and persevered.
Commercial groves emerged in the region by 1818, marking the beginning of organized citrus cultivation.
The waterways facilitated transportation of citrus products from Orange Center to northern markets, establishing the region as a vital agricultural hub.
Life Along Ruby Lake: Peak Years and Local Culture
Life along Ruby Lake flourished during Orange Center‘s peak years, as citrus groves and their workers established a vibrant community hub in the early-to-mid 20th century.
You’d find the heart of community life centered around the 1950 7th Street School, where families gathered for local events and celebrations. The rhythm of daily existence revolved around the citrus harvests, with seasonal citrus festivals marking the agricultural calendar. This idyllic community life lasted until Disney’s land acquisition began reshaping the region.
Walking through the streets east of FL 535, you’d experience a well-planned rural town where neighbors supported one another through work and faith. Early settlers like Greenup Arnold helped establish the foundations of this close-knit farming community.
East of FL 535, the spirit of community wove through every street, binding neighbors together in shared labor and devotion.
Local churches hosted community gatherings, while small businesses served the needs of grove workers and their families. The close-knit culture fostered deep connections among residents, creating lasting traditions that reflected their agricultural heritage.
When Disney Changed Everything: The 1960s Transformation
Orange Center’s agricultural era came to an abrupt end when Walt Disney Productions secretly began acquiring vast tracts of Central Florida land in the 1960s.
You’d never guess that behind pseudonym companies, Disney was methodically purchasing over 27,440 acres at just $180 per acre, forever changing the region’s destiny.
Disney’s influence reached far beyond mere land acquisition. The creation of the Reedy Creek Improvement District in 1967 gave Disney unprecedented control over its territory, with powers matching a county government.
The economic transformation was dramatic – what was once remote scrubland quickly evolved into a massive development project. The area would soon welcome 250,000 daily visitors to its attractions.
You’re looking at a complete infrastructure overhaul: new roads, water systems, and power lines sprouting where only swamps and pine forests had existed before.
Following intense speculation and rumors in the local press, Walt Disney finally announced the project to Florida Governor Haydon Burns on November 15, 1965.
What Remains Today: Traces of Orange County’s Rural Past
Despite rapid urbanization, scattered traces of Orange Center’s rural heritage remain visible across the landscape today.
You’ll find historical remnants like the 1950 7th Street School still standing, while old cemeteries and homesteads dot the area, preserving the cultural significance of early settler families.
The original street grid survives east of Florida State Road 535, and glimpses of former citrus groves persist around Ruby Lake. Many artifacts like old bottles and ceramics, similar to those found at other Florida ghost towns, have been discovered in the surrounding fields.
While Disney’s expansion has overtaken much of the agricultural landscape, you can still spot patches of undeveloped land that hint at the area’s farming past.
Old road alignments follow historic routes, and place names like Orange Center, Vineland, and Ruby Lake keep the memory of this once-thriving rural community alive through local histories and oral traditions. The area once featured daily stagecoach service connecting nearby settlements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happened to the Original Residents When Disney Began Acquiring Land?
Like a stealthy ninja, Disney’s land acquisition forced you and other residents to sell their property, often unknowingly to shell companies, while facing sudden market speculation and relocation from their rural communities.
Were There Any Notable Conflicts Between Orange Center and Orange City?
You won’t find documented land disputes or economic rivalry between these towns. Historical records don’t show notable conflicts, though Orange City’s growth and infrastructure likely overshadowed the smaller Orange Center.
How Did the Great Depression Specifically Impact Orange Center’s Economy?
You’ll see Orange Center’s economic decline was catastrophic, with soaring unemployment rates, citrus industry collapse, and mass property foreclosures. The town couldn’t recover from combined natural disasters and Depression-era market failures.
What Transportation Methods Were Used to Ship Citrus From Orange Center?
Ever wonder how those citrus fruits made it to market? You’ll find that Orange Center’s growers relied primarily on rail transport, with trains efficiently moving fresh fruit to distribution points and distant markets.
Did Any Famous Historical Figures Ever Visit or Live in Orange Center?
You won’t find records of any famous visitors or historical figures living in Orange Center – it remained a small agricultural community without documented visits from nationally recognized personalities until Disney’s land acquisition.
References
- http://www.gribblenation.org/2019/01/ghost-town-tuesday-vineland-florida.html
- https://www.croninbooks.com/post/higley-a-florida-ghost-town
- https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/fl/orangecenterorvineland.html
- https://patchproflorida.com/blog/the-fascinating-history-of-floridas-ghost-towns/
- https://www.journaloffloridastudies.org/0102ghosttowns.html
- https://www.visitsarasota.com/beaches-parks/englewood-park
- https://lemonbayhistory.com/englewood-history/
- https://historicpreservationsarasota.com/venicehistory/
- https://englewoodreview.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/documents/2023/06/08/Pioneer_Days_2021.pdf
- https://www.orlando.gov/Parks-the-Environment/Directory/Engelwood-Neighborhood-Center
