Christmas in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Fort Christmas Picnic Pavilion

— Fort Christmas Historical Park —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 20, 2022

1. Fort Christmas Picnic Pavilion Marker

Inscription. This pavilion was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), during the depression era of the 1930s. It has been renovated and preserved at the request of the local Christmas community for its service and for the memorable times it has provided in the past. At one time the pavilion was used as a voting precinct poll for the citizens in the area and even a roller skating rink for the local school children.

This beautiful, live oak grove with hanging moss was used for many years as a gathering spot for school picnics, reunions, political rallies, church outings, honoring returning soldiers and elderly citizens and other community functions. It was called Simmons Grove or the Picnic Grounds. On June 6, 1930 Mike Smith deeded the original ten acres to Orange County to be used as a park for the community of Fort Christmas.

Picnics consisted of tables groaning with pots of hearty food. Sometimes meat was roasted on old box springs in pits dug in the ground. At other times fish was fried in skillets over open fires. Entertainment consisted of horseracing, footraces, music with stringed instruments, fiddle, banjo

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and guitar, and even dancing.

(caption) A gathering of Christmas residents at the Picnic Grounds, circa 1920

Erected by Orange County Parks and Recreation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 1930.

Location. 28° 33.711′ N, 81° 1.323′ W. Marker is in Christmas, Florida, in Orange County. It can be reached from North Fort Christmas Road 0.1 miles north of Christmas Cemetery Road, on the left when traveling north. Located within Fort Christmas Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1300 N Fort Christmas Rd, Christmas FL 32709, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Orlando

and in Central Florida.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 20, 2022

2. Fort Christmas Picnic Pavilion Marker

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Yates House (a few steps from this marker); Brown House (a few steps from this marker); Fort Christmas (within shouting distance of this marker); The Seminole Indian Wars in Florida (within shouting distance of this marker); Blockhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Dugout Canoe (within shouting distance of this marker); Powder Magazine (within shouting distance of this marker); Storehouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Christmas.

Also see . . .
1. Fort Christmas Historical Park. (Submitted on October 21, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Fort Christmas Historical Park. (Submitted on October 21, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 253 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 21, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.