Winter Garden in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Winter Garden Downtown Historic District
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 23, 2015
1. Winter Garden Downtown Historic District Marker
On this corner, farmers built a small wooden train station soon after the Orange Belt Railroad reached the area in 1886. By 1899, the Taveres & Gulf Railroad constructed a second rail line and depot nearby. Wooden stores rose alongside the parallel tracks and Winter Garden was incorporated in 1908. Prosperity fueled Winter Garden's growth from 1910 to 1960. The town became a major citrus shipping point, and downtown served as the region's shopping center. Nearby, Lake Apopka gained recognition as "the large-mouth bass capital of the world." During the second half of the 20th century, the city center declined. Automobiles replaced train travel, strip malls outpaced downtown Plant Street stores, and Lake Apopka became severely polluted. After multiple freezes during the 1980s decimated the citrus industry, the buildings in the dilapidated downtown district stood mostly abandoned. Orange County replaced the Plant Street railroad tracks with the West Orange Trail in 1994, which sparked a turnaround. In 1996, a district featuring 24 commercial structures was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Through the strong efforts of residents, merchants, and city officials, the city center has undergone a rebirth.
Erected 2015 by The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, and the Florida Department
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 28° 33.958′ N, 81° 35.092′ W. Marker is in Winter Garden, Florida, in Orange County. Marker is at the intersection of East Plant Street and North Woodland Street, on the right when traveling west on East Plant Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21 E Plant St, Winter Garden FL 34787, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pounds Motor Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away); Winter Garden Supreme Sacrifice Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Brick Road (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Christian Church (approx. 2˝ miles away); Orange County Election Day Violence/ Ocoee Massacre and Exodus (approx. 2.6 miles away); Henry Nehrling's Palm Cottage Gardens (approx. 4.4 miles away); Turnverein - Zion Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery (approx. 4˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winter Garden.
Also see . . . Winter Garden Heritage Foundation. Foundation website homepage (Submitted on March 16, 2016.)
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 23, 2015
2. Winter Garden Downtown Historic District Marker near the History Research and Education Center
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 520 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 16, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
