Memories
Places
The Grand Theatre
Opening its doors on January 7, 1913, the Grand Theatre on West Pine Street was the third movie theatre in downtown Orlando. The theatre remained in business until 1953 under the name of the Grand Theatre, though its ownership switched...
People
Oral History Interview: Don Reynolds, Artist
Don Reynolds is a local artist whose life’s work spans serving as an Artist in Residence for Little Rock Public Schools, working as a Cultural Coordinator for the Central Florida Council of Arts and Sciences, contributing larger-than-life murals, signage, and...
Places
Blue Jacket Park
Inscription
The inscription on the monument located in the parking area on General Rees Avenue (formerly Drive) halfway between Corrine Drive and Glenridge reads: Blue Jacket ParkFor over 30 years, this site served as the Orlando Naval Training Center and ...
People
Don Reynolds - Renaissance Man
Don Reynolds relocated to the Orlando area from Jacksonville, Arkansas in 1978 and he has literally been leaving his mark on buildings, university campuses, tourist areas and the hearts of the people of Central Florida ever since! Reynolds has created...
People
Eatonville History Preservation Project 2025 - Eddie Cole
Eatonville resident Eddie Cole was interviewed at the Eatonville Library branch on April 12, 2025, by library branch manager and Eatonville History Preservation Project 2025 coordinator Sara Brown.
View Eddie Cole's interview on the Orlando Mem...
Places
The Children's Library Through the Years
The Children's Library in Downtown Orlando
The Albertson Public Library 1923 - 1964
When the Albertson Public Library opened on November 8, 1923, the Children's Room was located on the ground floor or basement on the east side of the bu...
Places
OPL Expansion Plans and Construction Photos 1982-1985
ABOVE: April 20, 1983, looking Northeast with the 1966 OPL in the top right corner.
Expansion of the 60,000 square foot 1966 Orlando Public Library was planned even before it opened on August 7, 1966, however, the people of Orlando probably...
Places
Orlando Public Library Expansion 1982-1986
OPL Expansion from 60,000 to 290,000 square feet!
From APL to OPL
The Orlando Public Library was dedicated on Sunday, August 7, 1966, replacing the old Albertson Public Library which opened to the public on November 8, 1923. Compared to the old...
Organizations
OCLS Branches - Then and Now
ABOVE: South Trail Library circa 1982.
Orange County Library System Branch Libraries in 1993
Beginning in February 1993, the Friends of the Library Newsletters featured one of the eleven branches each month. The January 1993 newsletter announced the year-long ...
Events
Orlando Public Library Dedication 1966
From APL to OPL
After decades of waiting, construction of the new Albertson Public Library began in October 1964. In May 1965, it was decided that the name of the new library would be the Orlando Public Library. Read a memo...
Organizations
Albertson Public Library - In the beginning 1921-1931
ABOVE: Postcard of the Albertson Public Library at 165 East Central Avenue at the corner of Central and Rosalind.
Offer Made and Agreement Signed
On November 10, 1921, Captain Charles L. Albertson, a winter resident of Orlando and a retired Police Inspector f...
Places
Orlando's African American Libraries - From Booker T. Washington to Washington Park
ABOVE: Alice Grace at the Booker T. Washington Library
Plaque Commemorating the Booker T. Washington Library
On December 30, 2001, the Orange County Library System and the Shiloh Baptist Church celebrated the history of the former Booker T. Washington Library ...
Topics
History of the Orange County Library System
Sorosis Club of Orlando
The beginnings of the current Orange County Library System can be traced to the circulating library collection of the Sorosis Club of Orlando. The collection was initially housed on the second floor of the old Armory building...
Places
Joy Wallace Dickinson and the Secrets of the Flamingo Cafe
When I began writing this book, The Secrets of the Flamingo Cafe, I thought about a story that would be sort of rooted in Orlando and a mystery that would happen in Florida... Excerpt from Joy Wallace Dickinson's presentation to...
Events
Commemorative Event for: 80 Years of Impact ~ Florida Citrus Sports
Steve Powell, CEO of the Orange County Library System, discussed key points of the history of Florida Citrus Sports with veteran sportswriter George Diaz and Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan.
Sharon Line Clary, Chairman of Florida Citrus Sports, w...
Events
City of Orlando Historic Preservation Officer Jennifer Fritz-Hunter Presents "The Men Who Signed the Articles of Incorporation" for Orlando's 150 Year Anniversary
City of Orlando Historic Preservation Officer Jennifer Fritz-Hunter at the 150th Anniversary of Orlando Kickoff Celebration. Photo by Jane Tracy
The men, it was all men who signed our incorporation papers and notice to the legislature petition to become a ...
People
Ocoee Police Chief Vincent Ogburn
https://youtu.be/BproYF2HHww
Get to know Chief Vincent Ogburn in this short video. Chief Ogburn shares about his military and law enforcement past, and the path that led him to become the Chief of Police for Ocoee. He speaks about the changes in...
Events
Ocoee Centennial Celebration
https://youtu.be/xAz0W9Emo1M
The Ocoee Centennial Celebration occurred May 9, 2025. Mayor Rusty Johnson welcomed the community to a time of celebration, with music and food. Guests enjoyed carnival games and rides. In honor of the centennial, a time caps...
People
"Orlando: Familiar Places, Familiar Faces" An Oral History Presentation by Allie Myers for Orlando Remembered, September 2025
My dad delivered, well back then, a lot of ladies came to Orlando to have their babies. He delivered babies from people from Saint Cloud, from Osteen, from New Symrna, all around. He delivered several, about three or four generations...
Places
The Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Building - 45 North Magnolia
February 1925
The Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company purchased property at the corner of North Main Street (now Magnolia) and Summerlin Place (now Wall Street) in February 1925, for the construction of what was first thought to be a two-story...
Organizations
First Methodist Church of Orlando 1916 Souvenir Directory and Year Book
The 1916 Souvenir Directory and Year Book of the First Methodist Church at the corner of Main (Magnolia) and Jackson in downtown Orlando, while it may be often overlooked due to its small size and faded photocopied images, contains a...
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