Pine Castle Historical Markers - part 7

PINE CASTLE

Will Wallace Harney came to Florida in 1869 seeking a better climate for his wife’s health. He purchased a 160-acre homestead on the western side of Lake Conway and called the grand home he built Pine Castle. The village that developed near his property adopted the name and, on December 8, 1879, the post office was officially established. Harney subdivided his property, and from 1880-1895, Pine Castle appeared on the Orange County planning map as a new development.

More than 300 people lived in Pine Castle in the early 1920s, and some residents wanted it incorporated during this boom period. During the planning stages, it became evident that different groups of residents had different visions for the town. As a result, three separate towns were organized: Belle Isle, Edgewood, and Pine Castle. But when the real estate market crashed later in the decade, they had difficulty sustaining their tax bases. Incorporated in February 1925, Pine Castle’s government ended in 1929. With its charter dissolved, it became an unincorporated part of Orange County.

Spring Fling, anyone?

Today's agenda includes a visit to Belle Isle's annual "Spring Fling" event at Warren Park.

Yours truly is going to drop off some flyers to promote Pine Castle Pioneer Days.

But, there's supposed to be a bunch of other things going on down there. (Including a reported appearance by Elvis?!)

The event kicks-off at 9am.

Hope to see some of ye socks there!

Breakfast with the candidate

In the ongoing effort to do ye olde civic duty by getting to know the folks running for public office around this little corner of heaven, yours truly had the pleasure of meeting Matt Falconer this morning at the regular Friday roundtable.

Mr. Falconer certainly came well-prepared for our little group. He literally brought a text book he wrote on how to improve Orange County's government, and gave copies to everyone at the table.

You can't say this guy isn't thorough.

That may be just what we need in the next county mayor.

I'm still not sure I agree with his ideas on consolidation of services, though. I mean, I don't know how the folks up in Apopka would feel about having their fire department absorbed into some new mega-district. And, I doubt the folks down in Belle Isle want to give up their new police department. So, I guess I'll have to read his textbook over the weekend to try to figure out exactly what he means . . .

Man, nothing like homework for the weekend! This being a good citizen thing can really cramp your style, no?!

Memories & Treasures

After lunch today, I visited with Ann Bennett in Belle Isle.

I went down there to help her with a pool deck cracking problem she is having, and ended up getting a "tour" of her home-based business:

http://www.memoriesandtreasures.com

She's done some amazing restoration work on old photos that families thought were irretrievably lost.

Anyway, check out her website if you get a chance!