Welcome to our Lake County Now & Then Fades' Page
Bringing FloridaPast back to Life, if only for a moment......
"Preserving Yesterday, Today, for Tomorrow"
One Fade at a time
With the help of Lake County Historian, Clay Conner, FloridaMemoryProject,
and those of you who kindly shared images, stories and history with us,
We Extend a Sincere Appreciation for the Dedication to the Preservation of FloridaPast
FloridaPast on Facebook
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Come Join Sumter County FloridaPast Facebook Group
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Lake County was created in 1887 from portions of Sumter and Orange Counties.
It was named for the numerous lakes in the area. Which there are approximately 1,400 named lakes. ____________________________ Borrowed for Historical Educational Purposes; Incorporated Towns and Cities of Lake County;
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Bringing FloridaPast back to FloridaPresent.
If only for a moment.
CLICK on IMAGES to TRAVEL BACK to a FloridaPast TIME
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Taking a stroll along Sunnyside Road aka Sunnyside Drive, Leesburg, FloridaPast
The Good Morning Wave as we travel down Main Street, Leesburg, Florida 1940s
Leesburg Rifles and RR Depot WWI Era
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Do You happen to know Any of these Gents?
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Now & Then Fades
of The Leesburg Fire Department Station
Photo taken sometime during 1950s by Dick Camnitz Dad
A Sincere Thanks goes to Dick Camnitz for sharing his family photo to Historic Lake County Facebook Community, and letting us Fade it.
And again we Thank Clay Conner for his assistance with location. |
Leesburg Fire station still standing at the Southwest corner Magnolia and Canal Streets, Leesburg. FloridaMemoryProject photo.
Inspired by Gerry Hemingway Howell Facebook Share back in 2013. Gerry is no longer with us, but will be missed and remembered forever as a Contributor to FloridaPast history throughout the Facebook Communities. |
The Old Leesburg High School
As it was Then in the 1940s
Click to see a Nice Now & Then Fade
From what we know, the original section of this Architectural Masterpiece, was built in 1911, and the larger center building, 1927, with continuing additions.
By clicking this line, it will take you to to a thread about this school on Historic Lake County Facebook Community
You'll see a few local folks giving their stories surrounding the history of the school.
We also found another Great Thread about the history of this school. Click this line to take you to that thread share on Historic Lake County Facebook Page
By clicking this line, it will take you to to a thread about this school on Historic Lake County Facebook Community
You'll see a few local folks giving their stories surrounding the history of the school.
We also found another Great Thread about the history of this school. Click this line to take you to that thread share on Historic Lake County Facebook Page
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BIG BASS MOTEL - 1950s era - Highway 27, Leesburg - Home of the Big Bass
What it once was, isn't - Click to Visit Now & Then
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The Opening Year of The Leesburg State Bank on Main Street - 1926
Click on the image for a NOW & THEN FADE
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Stepping back to the year 1926, upon completion of the New Leesburg State Bank, Downtown Leesburg, FloridaPast. Since history has already been documented, by Historian Rick Reed of Lake County, we borrowed some to share here and more interesting history can be found at source link below; - “The first bank was the Leesburg and County State Bank, which later became the Leesburg State Bank,” stated the Legend of Leesburg accompanying the mural. “This bank closed its doors in the 1933 depression.” "It began as a private bank in 1886 with the name of Morrison, Stapylton & Co., Bankers. Until then, there was no bank in Leesburg. People with cash on hand used one of the grocery stores, usually Baer and Campbell, a general store at Fourth and Main streets that had a safe." continued... Please give credit to Rick Reed, and Visit his article in the Daily Commercial to learn more -> http://www.dailycommercial.com/lifestyles/article_29dc4550-2021-5b1b-890a-6c4bb69d5be0.html |
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Griner's Standard Oil Company
Crown Gasoline Station
1920s era, at the corner of Main and Canal streets, Leesburg Florida 1920
Special Thanks to FloridaMemoryProject for sharing Florida State Archives Photos
The Steamer Alligator - Docked at Leesburg Canal, off of North Canal Street 1906
Just three years before her fate in 1909, when she burned
The Alligator was constructed for Captain C. W. Howard for use in a commercial passenger and freight operation on the Ocklawaha and St. Johns rivers. On October 7, 1888, Alligator was launched on the west bank of St. Johns River at Norwalk. It measured 57 feet (17 m) long, 18 feet 7 inches wide, 3 feet 5 inches deep, and was 27.71 gross tons. Originally, a propeller was installed between two skegs under the transom. The vessel was "a patchwork of parts from other steamboats" - "During the final decades of the 19th century and early in the 20th century, small paddlesteamers transported freight and tourists back and forth between the upper areas of Florida to the headwaters of lakes in north central Florida.In 1888, Captain Howard added the Alligator to his small fleet of vessels that ran on the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers providing passenger and freight service.
The Wade brothers bought Alligator on September 9, 1889 and a year later they sold it to Joseph Edward Lucas who owned the steamboat during most of the time of its operation. When Lucas purchased the steamer he ran a small passenger and freight business out of Palatka, Florida.
In April 1891, Clarence Bloomfield Moore contracted with Lucas to use the steamer to explore the St. Johns River and tributaries for his archeological exploration for Native American artifacts. Moore used the paddlesteamer as his base of operation for his annual field work each year between 1891 and 1895. Moore kept a detailed log of his research that notes the travel of the Alligator during his excursions. In 1895, the Jacksonville Florida Times Union noted Moore's final excursion on the Alligator reporting that Moore accompanied by a crew from the Academy of Natural Sciences were exploring Indian mounds along the Ocklawaha"
"Around midnight on November 5, 1909, the steamer caught fire, burned, and sank. A wreck report written on November 20, 1909, indicates that fire occurred with only two watchmen aboard and there were no human injuries. The written record is inexact about the location where the steamer is submerged due to poor handwriting. There is no indication from searches of written records such as Certificate of Enrollment that the wreck was recovered and put back into service again"
Please credit above history, and read more here -> STEAMBOAT ALLIGATOR HISTORY
Please credit following history, and read more about the Alligator here -> HISTORIC AMERICAN ENGINEERING RECORD;
C.W. Howard of Grahamville. Florida
Shipwrecked, Crescent Lake, Crescent City vicinity, Putnam County, Florida
(Any remains ofthe vessel most likely lie on the east side of Crescent
Lake, which is in Flagler County.) Vessel launched October 7, 1888 at Norwalk, Florida; rebuilt several times
thereafter until loss by fire in November 1909"
"The vessel was an inboard paddle-wheel steamboat, a form nearly unique
to the narrow, winding Ocklawaha River in Florida. There were never
many such vessels, but for a half-century after the Civil War, they played
a vital role in commerce and settlement of interior north-central Florida
(the Ocklawaha watershed). Before good roads and the coming ofthe
railroad to the region, they were a primary means oftravel and freight
transportation into and out ofthe area. In the late 1800s, they played an
important role in the development of wintertime tourism in Florida,
providing overnight passage on the "weird and beautiful" Ocklawaha to
Silver Springs. In effect, they were the state's first major tourist
attraction. ALLIGATOR was typical ofthe Ocklawaha steamboats, but
she also played a unique and historically significant role in being the boat
Clarence B. Moore chartered between 1891-95 during his archaeological
explorations on the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers."
The Wade brothers bought Alligator on September 9, 1889 and a year later they sold it to Joseph Edward Lucas who owned the steamboat during most of the time of its operation. When Lucas purchased the steamer he ran a small passenger and freight business out of Palatka, Florida.
In April 1891, Clarence Bloomfield Moore contracted with Lucas to use the steamer to explore the St. Johns River and tributaries for his archeological exploration for Native American artifacts. Moore used the paddlesteamer as his base of operation for his annual field work each year between 1891 and 1895. Moore kept a detailed log of his research that notes the travel of the Alligator during his excursions. In 1895, the Jacksonville Florida Times Union noted Moore's final excursion on the Alligator reporting that Moore accompanied by a crew from the Academy of Natural Sciences were exploring Indian mounds along the Ocklawaha"
"Around midnight on November 5, 1909, the steamer caught fire, burned, and sank. A wreck report written on November 20, 1909, indicates that fire occurred with only two watchmen aboard and there were no human injuries. The written record is inexact about the location where the steamer is submerged due to poor handwriting. There is no indication from searches of written records such as Certificate of Enrollment that the wreck was recovered and put back into service again"
Please credit above history, and read more here -> STEAMBOAT ALLIGATOR HISTORY
Please credit following history, and read more about the Alligator here -> HISTORIC AMERICAN ENGINEERING RECORD;
C.W. Howard of Grahamville. Florida
Shipwrecked, Crescent Lake, Crescent City vicinity, Putnam County, Florida
(Any remains ofthe vessel most likely lie on the east side of Crescent
Lake, which is in Flagler County.) Vessel launched October 7, 1888 at Norwalk, Florida; rebuilt several times
thereafter until loss by fire in November 1909"
"The vessel was an inboard paddle-wheel steamboat, a form nearly unique
to the narrow, winding Ocklawaha River in Florida. There were never
many such vessels, but for a half-century after the Civil War, they played
a vital role in commerce and settlement of interior north-central Florida
(the Ocklawaha watershed). Before good roads and the coming ofthe
railroad to the region, they were a primary means oftravel and freight
transportation into and out ofthe area. In the late 1800s, they played an
important role in the development of wintertime tourism in Florida,
providing overnight passage on the "weird and beautiful" Ocklawaha to
Silver Springs. In effect, they were the state's first major tourist
attraction. ALLIGATOR was typical ofthe Ocklawaha steamboats, but
she also played a unique and historically significant role in being the boat
Clarence B. Moore chartered between 1891-95 during his archaeological
explorations on the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers."
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COOKE BALL PARK - LEESBURG, FloridaPast in 1910
Click to visit this baseball game, where is once was
"Cooke Field was a baseball stadium located in Leesburg, Florida. The stadium was named after R.F.E. Cooke, a local banker, and had been the site of local baseball games. In 1922, the stadium was refurbished and the Philadelphia Phillies held their spring training there from 1922 until 1924.
According to news reports at the time, the refurbishment called for the field to be "cleared, leveled, clayed and sodded, a grandstand and a board fence built, all in less than three months." Reports also state that the city even had to cut down trees southwest of center field and fill in a big hollow in another corner."
Please give all history credit, and read more here -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooke_Field
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“Our team played Eustis, and other towns, and The Fort Dade team, U.S. Army boys was here three games I think between 1909 and 1911. Uncle Herbert Hardman played on this team, and he kept yelling ‘get him off my back’ and my grandfather Hardman who was very precise in his language asked him later why he kept saying that when there was no one ‘on his back.’ This team had a player, Dick Whittington, who claimed to be a lineal descendant of the Dick Whittington who visited the Queen in London, with his pet cat which dispersed the rats, and he became Lord Mayor of London. Dick kept in touch with our family for several years, but we finally lost track of him.”
Credit entire above history text, and visit to read some Very Interesting Baseball History for Leesburg here -> http://www.dailycommercial.com/lifestyles/article_6a983168-8820-5a34-8082-1a54e37c7978.html
Thanks to Rick Reed for his dedication to the preservation of Lake County History - You can find Rick's columns here -> http://www.dailycommercial.com/users/profile/rick%20reed/
According to news reports at the time, the refurbishment called for the field to be "cleared, leveled, clayed and sodded, a grandstand and a board fence built, all in less than three months." Reports also state that the city even had to cut down trees southwest of center field and fill in a big hollow in another corner."
Please give all history credit, and read more here -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooke_Field
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“Our team played Eustis, and other towns, and The Fort Dade team, U.S. Army boys was here three games I think between 1909 and 1911. Uncle Herbert Hardman played on this team, and he kept yelling ‘get him off my back’ and my grandfather Hardman who was very precise in his language asked him later why he kept saying that when there was no one ‘on his back.’ This team had a player, Dick Whittington, who claimed to be a lineal descendant of the Dick Whittington who visited the Queen in London, with his pet cat which dispersed the rats, and he became Lord Mayor of London. Dick kept in touch with our family for several years, but we finally lost track of him.”
Credit entire above history text, and visit to read some Very Interesting Baseball History for Leesburg here -> http://www.dailycommercial.com/lifestyles/article_6a983168-8820-5a34-8082-1a54e37c7978.html
Thanks to Rick Reed for his dedication to the preservation of Lake County History - You can find Rick's columns here -> http://www.dailycommercial.com/users/profile/rick%20reed/
The Old Heights Hotel on High Street Leesburg
1910s era, here on High Street, Leesburg. Built by Florida Conference College
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Vote for James Boyte Political Poster Leesburg
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Original Political Campaign Poster from Leesburg.
Vote for James D. (Jimmy) Boyte. If interested in purchasing this historical find, click on Mr. Boyte. He'll take you to a page where you can buy. Don't forget our GoFundMe Campaign. This would be a Nice Addition to the Lake County Historical Society on Your Behalf. The More Funding, the More You "Preserve Yesterday, Today, for Our Tomorrow" |
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Hester's Drive Inn Restaurant 1954
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Hester's Drive Inn Restaurant 1957
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Palms Motel of Leesburg, FloridaPast - A Classic Roadside Moment Captured, early 1970s, along U.S. 27 aka 14th Street. Owners were Mr. and Mrs. Phillip F. Kissell
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The once famed South Wind Trading Post
Lady Lake - FloridaPast
Indian Moccasins - Alligator Goods - Citrus - Souvenirs and More
This Fade will show the old Trading Post on Google
Business Card Jesse & Johnny Edwards
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This Fade no longer shows the Trading Post - It's a medical facility at this time
Clicking on either image will take you to our famed Now & Then FloridaPast Fades. At the time of placement, Google still had the old Trading Post on their map, and the second fade was an updated view, where the Trading Post is now a medical center.
__ Once owned and operated Jesse and Johnny Edwards, who were Brothers. They sold everything from Florida citrus, which they also shipped, alligator goods, souvenirs, sea shells, Western leather goods, Chenille blankets and products, also known for having the best deerskin moccasins. We personally visited and shopped at this Trading Post. They had some Wonderful FloridaPast Offerings. Some Unique Souvenirs, Seashells and other Interesting Goodies. |
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Hewitt's drug store
The BiGGest Little Drug Store in the World
607 East Main Street in Leesburg
Lake County Historian, Clay Conner shares this with us;
"Hewitt's drug store was located at 607 East Main Street in Leesburg. The store was owned and operated by John Monroe "Jack" Hewitt Jr. And his wife, Hazel Harris Hewitt. Born in 1908, Jack Hewitt served in the Navy in World War II. Hazel was born in 1912. In this photograph from around 1950, notice the sign on the front door, letting patrons know that Jack and Hazel went out to lunch. Stokes Seafood can be seen directly next door to the left in the photo with last S visible and poultry on the window.. Location would be where the parking garage is now across the street from RoMac."
Follow This Link -> to Visit Historic Lake County Florida Facebook Thread, and read some local Folks' stories.
"Hewitt's drug store was located at 607 East Main Street in Leesburg. The store was owned and operated by John Monroe "Jack" Hewitt Jr. And his wife, Hazel Harris Hewitt. Born in 1908, Jack Hewitt served in the Navy in World War II. Hazel was born in 1912. In this photograph from around 1950, notice the sign on the front door, letting patrons know that Jack and Hazel went out to lunch. Stokes Seafood can be seen directly next door to the left in the photo with last S visible and poultry on the window.. Location would be where the parking garage is now across the street from RoMac."
Follow This Link -> to Visit Historic Lake County Florida Facebook Thread, and read some local Folks' stories.
Once The Biggest Little Drug Store in the World - Sad seeing all the Main St. Building demolished for a silly parking garage....
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Original Road Sign Indicator for Lake County - South Clermont - For Sale - Click on Sign for Details
Clermont Florida
"The Gem of the Hills"
founded in 1884 and incorporated in 1916
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Lake Drugs - aka Edge Mercantile
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The Publix Super Market
Click the Publix Clock to "fade" back in time
The Publix Supermarket, has kind of an interesting history.
It still stands, but unfortunately, it has been remodeled. Clermont Publix 1958. "This is a hodgepodge of info from different and at times conflicting sources. I put it together best I could per my logic. If anyone has any corrections to this please fill me in. (come to our FloridaPast.com Facebook Page) As per my research and opinion and better judgement, this was the first Publix Supermarket in to be built outside of Winter Haven. In 1945, with construction expansion constrained by wartime shortages, Publix purchased a chain of 19 small All American grocery stores. One of these was in Clermont down the street from this location where Hanks Electric currently is. After the war this store was built and opened in 1948 and stayed at this location until the new South Lake Plaza opened in 1965. Upon completion this building was donated by George Jenkins, founder of Publix, as a Civic Auditorium. Chamber of Commerce offices were added as well an unfortunate significant remodel stripping the building of its art deco facade. The building opened in 1966 as Jenkins Civic Auditorium named for George Jenkins. Info courtesy Publix.com and "Clermont Gem of the Hills, A History of Clermont, Florida and Neighboring. Communities, Miriam W. Johnson & Rosemary Y. Young" Thanks to Clay Conner for supplying this history. Another View - Publix Super Market
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Clervue Drive-In Theater, Clermont, FloridaPast
once at the intersection of Highway 27 and State Road 50
Closed in the 1970's decade
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CLICK THIS IMAGE FOR A NOW & THEN FADE
1956 Highway 27 & SR 50 Intersection - FloridaMemoryProject photo
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What still remains from this once popular hot spot, is the marquee, which has been used by various businesses through the years.
Click to Visit The Torchlite Travel Trailer Park Entrance US Highway 27 - 1960s
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Take a Faded Moment back to the Torchlite on Highway 27, Now & Then, by clicking on the image to your left. Amazing that through all the progression in this area of Clermont, that this place still exists today.
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Highway 27 Roadside Ma and Pa Hotel - Motel - Eateries n More
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The Skyline Motel, directly across Highway 27 from the Famed Citrus Tower. Another Great Share by Clay Conner, that is now a Now & Then Fade. Just click on the image for the sad view of what's there now.
Follow the original Historic Lake County Florida Facebook Group Here |
Click to Fade from then till now 1960s
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Two Great Now & Then Fades
of The George A. Simpson Lunch Boat
These two Now & Then Fades, would not have been possible, had it not been for the kind help of our Facebook Friends, Clay Conner and Frank Driggers
If you click on either of those kind Gent's names, it'll take you to each of these Fades that were shared on FloridaPast.com Facebook Page.
A Sincere Thanks goes to both!
If you click on either of those kind Gent's names, it'll take you to each of these Fades that were shared on FloridaPast.com Facebook Page.
A Sincere Thanks goes to both!
Click on the boat to visit where is once stood
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This is as close as a Fade as we can get - Give a Click
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The George A. Simpson Lunch Boat, aka S.S. Three Kids, at the intersection of Tavares, Mount Dora and Eustis Roads, was a pleasure steamer which sailed the waters of Lake County FloridaPast. Formerly, The Three Kids was used as Dreamboat night club in 1935. It was originally built by William Bennett Baker and later bought by George A. Simpson who renamed the Dreamboat and had it moved here for a gas station, diner and Coca-Cola stand. As we gather more history, we'll add it here.
Clay Conner tells us; ->
It is the Three Kids when it was a residence with a roof built over it. Before they moved it and turned it into the Lunch Boat / Dreamboat."
This boat was re-shared on Historic Lake County Facebook Group. CLICK HERE TO READ SOME FIRST HAND HISTORY
Clay Conner tells us; ->
It is the Three Kids when it was a residence with a roof built over it. Before they moved it and turned it into the Lunch Boat / Dreamboat."
This boat was re-shared on Historic Lake County Facebook Group. CLICK HERE TO READ SOME FIRST HAND HISTORY
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External Lake County Links;
City of Clermont/I Love Clermont Facebook/FloridaPast.com Facebook/Groveland History/J.J. Dickison Home at Bugg Spring - Okahumpka, Florida
Clayton's Architectural Past of Clermont/History of South Lake Chamber of Commerce Clermont/
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We make our living selling online. The more we sell, the more we can use our time to Preserve History
see our eBay www.FloridaPast offerings
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We Add Content Often
Some of our shared images, may be under copyright, and those that are shared with us, or borrowed to share, proper credits shall be given when known.
FloridaPast.com THANKS EVERYONE for SHARING! We All "Preserve FloridaPast in FloridaPresent for FloridaFuture"
My work, is My art, is My living, is My enjoyment. I Sincerely Hope You All Enjoy.
FloridaPast.com THANKS EVERYONE for SHARING! We All "Preserve FloridaPast in FloridaPresent for FloridaFuture"
My work, is My art, is My living, is My enjoyment. I Sincerely Hope You All Enjoy.
