History of Goldenrod
Goldenrod is an unincorporated community that straddles part of Orange County and Seminole County, Florida. Historically, the people who lived between what are now Red Bug Lake Road, Dean Road, Highway 50, and State Road 436 considered Goldenrod their hometown. It is generally agreed, especially among old-timers, that Goldenrod was named for the wildflower that grew abundantly in our woods and fields.
First Settlers
Before the arrival of the first white settlers in the Goldenrod area, the last of the Indians had already been chased away by the Seminole Indian wars. During the Reconstruction Period after the Civil War, Florida came under federal military rule. By 1866 land in Florida was available under a more favorable federal enactment, the Homestead Act of 1862. The first white settlers began arriving in the Goldenrod area in the 1870's. At that time parcels of land were granted to individuals under the "State of Florida, Internal Improvement Fund." The area was desolate and wild, fit only for cattle or lumber. Homesteading was tried only by those daring and brave enough to endure the hardships of the forbidding swamps, wildlife and insects. The living was hard, however, a few families lasted long enough to carve out a homesite and many of their decendents still live in the commnity or nearby to this day.
Many of the first settlers were engaged in the culture of orange groves. After the freeze of 1894 many of these settlers abandoned their groves and left the area. Others who trickled into the Goldenrod area are familiar names to old-timers today: Boatwright, Beasley, Newton, Moreman, Parker, Hull, Colicutt, Mathers, Self, Redditt, and Dodd. It is to these early settlers and their families we wish to pay tribute and acknowledge the many contributions they made to the community.
Many of the first settlers were engaged in the culture of orange groves. After the freeze of 1894 many of these settlers abandoned their groves and left the area. Others who trickled into the Goldenrod area are familiar names to old-timers today: Boatwright, Beasley, Newton, Moreman, Parker, Hull, Colicutt, Mathers, Self, Redditt, and Dodd. It is to these early settlers and their families we wish to pay tribute and acknowledge the many contributions they made to the community.
Growth Comes to Goldenrod
In March of 1926, the Goldenrod Corporation was organized by James F. Wellman to develop "Suburban Homes," consisting of 158 lots bordering a two-lane dirt road called the Winter Park-Oviedo Road (now Aloma Avenue). Most of the first homes were built by a group from Buffalo, New York who spent the winters in Goldenrod. Seven of the original homes built in the late 1920's are still standing today. The Corporation was responsible for the first electricity and water in Goldenrod and establishing a park where residents enjoyed horseshoes, shuffleboard, croquet and ping pong as well as covered picnic facilities and a boat house on Perch Pond.
Goldenrod Becomes a Community
The tales of Florida land fraud and the stock market crash of 1929 stymied the development efforts of Suburban Homes. n the early years of the great Depression, all building ceased and there was little change in Goldenrod. There were six to eight families who continued to spend the winters in Goldenrod and return to the north for the summer. For the year round settlers, life was austere and many families supplemented meager wages by hunting, fishing, having a garden, raising a few chickens and having a milk cow. During those years settlers were very self-sufficient. There were two small general stores in the area during the 1930's. One was McMannis Store (formerly Selby's Filling Station) at the corner of Aloma Avenue and Goldenrod Road. The other was Eldridge's store on Aloma Avenue where a dirt road led to Lake Bear Gully. They carried only basic staples such as gas, oil and kerosene and basic foods such as bread, flour and canned goods. Most families residing in the Goldenrod area went to Winter Park to buy their weekly supply of groceries.
During the latter half of the 30's, life in Goldenrod began to improve. During the years between 1936 and 1939, electricity was extended to most homes in the Goldenrod area under the REP (Rural Electrification Program). WPA(Work Progress Administration) gangs worked to improve the roads. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, everything was geared to the war effort. In 1942, if you had lived in Goldenrod you would have seen contingents of soldiers bivouacked throughout the area. One was known as "Goldenrod Garrison", and another was a signal corp between Aloma Avenue and Deep Lake. After the war many of the soldiers who had been stationed in Central Florida returned to live here, and Goldenrod began the transition from a pioneer community.
During the latter half of the 30's, life in Goldenrod began to improve. During the years between 1936 and 1939, electricity was extended to most homes in the Goldenrod area under the REP (Rural Electrification Program). WPA(Work Progress Administration) gangs worked to improve the roads. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, everything was geared to the war effort. In 1942, if you had lived in Goldenrod you would have seen contingents of soldiers bivouacked throughout the area. One was known as "Goldenrod Garrison", and another was a signal corp between Aloma Avenue and Deep Lake. After the war many of the soldiers who had been stationed in Central Florida returned to live here, and Goldenrod began the transition from a pioneer community.
Goldenrod Gets Organized
The Goldenrod Civic Club was formed in 1950 with Fred Spelzhausen as its first President. The first Goldenrod Post Office was established in a corner of the Spelzhausen Grocery Store at the southeast corner of Goldenrod Road and Aloma in the year 1951. Walter Spelzhausen was the first postmaster. In the late 1950's the first Goldenrod Volunteer Fire Department was established with a second-hand truck and an old water truck donated by Larry Plante. The Goldenrod Garden Club started as a sewing circle back in the late 1950's and when Kay Dodd joined the group, she was instrumental in getting the Garden Club started. It was formed and federated in 1962 and Kay served as its first President.
From "Gathering Clusters of Goldenrod" published for the Goldenrod Historical Society, Inc. and compiled by Mary E. Johnston, with excerpts from the articles contributed by Retired Brig. Gen. William "Bill" Carlson and Harlan Tuck, Esq.
Take a guided tour of our area by following the Goldenrod Historical Trail at: http://www.reocities.com/yosemite/rapids/8428/hikeplans/goldenrod/plangoldenrod.html
