Windermere in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Cal Palmer Memorial Building
1911
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, November 24, 2020
1. Cal Palmer Memorial Building Marker
Inscription.
Cal Palmer Memorial Building. In 1911, John Calvin “Cal” Palmer (1869-1965) and Dr. J. Howard Johnson (1871-1936) formed the Windermere Improvement Company and purchased all the lots of Windermere. They set about making it a destination for people to escape the harsh northern winters. Johnson returned to his home in Wauseon, Ohio, to advertise Windermere. Palmer remained in Florida to develop and sell the lots. He was appointed postmaster in 1911. Palmer built this building that same year and from here operated the post office and his businesses. Many local government meetings were held here until the Windermere Town Hall was built in 1922. Palmer was active in local government. He served on the town council for 17 years, as the first town council president for 11 years, and as mayor for 2 years. As a business community leader, Palmer founded the Windermere Citrus Growers Association in 1920, and was a member of the Florida Citrus Exchange from 1929 to 1943. The Cal Palmer Memorial Building has served various functions for public and private organizations, including as community meeting space and the Windermere Shuffle Board Club headquarters. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
In 1911, John Calvin “Cal” Palmer (1869-1965) and Dr. J. Howard Johnson (1871-1936) formed the Windermere Improvement Company and purchased all the lots of Windermere. They set about making it a destination for people to escape the harsh northern winters. Johnson returned to his home in Wauseon, Ohio, to advertise Windermere. Palmer remained in Florida to develop and sell the lots. He was appointed postmaster in 1911. Palmer built this building that same year and from here operated the post office and his businesses. Many local government meetings were held here until the Windermere Town Hall was built in 1922. Palmer was active in local government. He served on the town council for 17 years, as the first town council president for 11 years, and as mayor for 2 years. As a business community leader, Palmer founded the Windermere Citrus Growers Association in 1920, and was a member of the Florida Citrus Exchange from 1929 to 1943. The Cal Palmer Memorial Building has served various functions for public and private organizations, including as community meeting space and the Windermere Shuffle Board Club headquarters. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
Erected 2020 by Charles E. Matteson- -Eagle Scout Troop 320, Dr. Phillips Charities, Windermere
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Historic Preservation Board, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1094.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.
Location. 28° 29.731′ N, 81° 32.111′ W. Marker is in Windermere, Florida, in Orange County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and 5th Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 502 Main Street, Windermere FL 34786, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 272 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 26, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
