Florida is more than its sun-soaked beaches, amusement parks, and retirement communities—it is a state rich with surprising historical moments that have helped shape the United States. As UCF’s History Department prepares to host the Florida Historical Society (FHS) 2024 Annual Meeting and Symposium and the 12th Annual Shofner Lecture on Florida History and Culture on October 18-19, we’re taking a closer look at some intriguing facts about Florida’s past.
1. Orlando: The Citrus Capital Before the Great Freeze, Disney, and Florida’s Agricultural Shift
Before its transformation into a theme park destination, Orlando was a thriving center for citrus production. In the late 19th century, cattle and orange groves powered the local economy until the Great Freeze of 1894-1895 caused widespread damage, dealing a severe blow to Florida’s citrus industry, particularly in Central Florida. By 1910, Central Florida, including Orange County rebounded, and citrus production was once again flourishing. The rise of theme park tourism, however, led to the decline of large-scale citrus farming in Orange County, with the last groves on Orange Avenue disappearing in the 1970s. Today, while citrus remains part of Florida’s agriculture, Orlando’s economy has been reshaped by tourism, especially after the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971.
2. St. Augustine: America’s Oldest Continuously Inhabited European City
Florida is home to St. Augustine, founded in 1565 by the Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, making it the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States. This charming coastal city has witnessed Spanish colonial rule, British occupation, and later, the incorporation into the United States, creating a layered history that can still be seen in its architecture and preserved sites, such as the Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century coquina fortress.
3. Orlando’s Role in the Space Race
Though Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center are well known for their critical role in space exploration, Orlando also played a key behind-the-scenes role during this historic era. In the 1960s, many Orlando residents worked for aerospace companies contracted to develop technology for NASA’s missions. The rapid growth of the aerospace industry not only brought new residents and economic prosperity to the region but also led to the creation of the University of Central Florida (then Florida Technological University) in 1963 to support the growing demand for a highly skilled workforce. Today, Orlando continues to thrive as a hub for technological innovation and education.
4. The Seminole Wars: Florida’s Struggle for Sovereignty
Florida was the setting for the most protracted and expensive Indian War in U.S. history: the Seminole War. Beginning in the early 19th century, these three wars were fought between the U.S. government and the Seminole people, who resisted efforts to relocate them to the Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River. The Second Seminole War (1835-1842) was particularly fierce. Itincluded a significant number of battles in Central and South Florida, with the Seminoles eventually retreating into the Everglades, where their descendants still live today.
5. Zora Neale Hurston and Eatonville
Just north of Orlando lies Eatonville, the oldest African American-incorporated town in the United States. Eatonville’s most famous resident was Zora Neale Hurston, a celebrated author, folklorist, and anthropologist. Hurston’s work, including her most famous novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, draws heavily from her experiences growing up in Eatonville, capturing the vibrant culture and history of this pioneering town. Today, Eatonville is home to the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities, celebrating Hurston’s life and legacy.
6. The Florida Land Boom of the 1920s
The 1920s brought one of Florida’s most significant economic booms driven by land speculation and rapid population growth. Known as the Florida Land Boom, developers from across the country sold plots of land to northerners seeking a piece of paradise. However, the boom collapsed in 1926 when the Great Miami Hurricane tore through Florida, plunging the state into a depression well before the rest of the nation felt the effects of the Great Depression. While the boom was short-lived, it led to a surge in infrastructure development that shaped modern Florida cities, including Miami, Tampa and Orlando.
7. Fort Mose: The First Free Black Settlement in the U.S.
Florida is home to the first free Black settlement in what is now the United States. Fort Mose, located near St. Augustine, was established in 1738 as a refuge for runaway slaves from British colonies to the north. Under Spanish rule, these freedom seekers were granted their liberty in exchange for converting to Catholicism and defending St. Augustine from the British. Fort Mose is now a National Historic Landmark and serves as a powerful symbol of African American resistance and resilience in Florida.
8. The Civil Rights Struggle in Florida
Florida has played an often overlooked but critical role in the American Civil Rights Movement. In 1951, civil rights leader Harry T. Moore and his wife Harriette were assassinated in their home in Mims, Florida, after advocating for African American voting rights and equality. Their deaths were among the first political assassinations of the Civil Rights era, and the Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Cultural Complex now stands in their honor, highlighting the couple’s work and the broader struggle for racial justice in the state.
9. The Beatles at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
The Beatles officially broke up at Disney World. On December 29, 1974, John Lennon was staying at the Polynesian Village Resort when he signed the paperwork that dissolved the legendary band. After years of tension among the group, Lennon was reluctant to sign the contract and finalize the split. However, during his vacation at Disney World, he finally made it official, marking the end of the Beatles’ era in an unexpected location.
These historical moments are just a tiny sample of the rich stories that will be explored at the Florida Historical Society 2024 Annual Meeting and Symposium and the 12th Annual Shofner Lecture on Florida History and Culture, both hosted by UCF’s History Department. The symposium will bring historians, students, and community members together to discuss Florida’s diverse historical legacy.
To learn more about the event, including registration details, keynote speakers, and program highlights, stay tuned for updates from UCF’s History Department. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to engage with Florida’s history!