Orlando’s first suburban neighborhood will celebrate milestone anniversary this weekend with birthday celebrations, outdoor picnics and the theme of “roaring in your 20s.”
College Park turns 100 this year, and the district’s Historical Society is celebrating the occasion by holding a party at Dartmouth Park. This week, the popular event has sold out, but guests bring their food to the park with tickets, set it up on a pre-purchased table, listen to speakers, enjoy birthday cakes, and dance to the music of the Beetle Beat Band.
Considering that the neighborhood doesn’t sit close to higher education institutions in central Florida, the name may sound misleading to outside visitors. It won the title from developer Walter Rose, who began building a house in the Formosa area in 1921. He laid out the streets of Harvard, Princeton, Yale and Cornell, and gave the community’s Rosemare a name.
Orlando Sentinel
This advertisement in the Rosemere area ran in the Orlando Sentinel in 1923. Buyers claim they didn’t have to worry about setting up a market, public garage or Undertaker facility next to their new residence. (Orlando Sentinel file)
Until 1925, College Park appeared when Cooper Asabah Real Estate and Mortgage Co. (CABCO) broke ground on a 40-acre property along Lake Ivanho’s North Shore. With a 201 new building lot, the developer continued the street name trend, creating a neighborhood college park.
Previously, the area was home to George Russell’s Pineary and Joyland Amusement Park on the shores of Lake Ivanho.
Tom Burton, Orlando Sentinel
A house on Vanderbilt Street in Orlando, seen on March 26th, 2013. The house is located in the historic Rosemare residential area, and the city of Orlando invited people to submit black and white photos of the neighborhood home for the 2014 calendar. (Orlando Sentinel file)
During the Great Repression, the development of the house ceased, bringing many companies on Edgewater Drive to the shutters. But for decades, it brought churches, schools, shops and other homes, especially after World War II.
In 1950 College Park had its own Publix Market, and in 1954 it was a post office, both preceded the massive expansion of Edgewater Drive’s business district in the 1960s. It features everything from toy stores to sports goods stores and hardware stores.
Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel
Publix around Orlando College Park. The store was demolished in 1998, creating room for a large store with the same 1966 exterior. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Bill Jennings, president of the College Park Historical Society, said when he and his wife moved to the area in the 1970s, the population was primarily elderly residents. Now he said the neighborhood is welcomed by many families.
This weekend’s celebration pays homage to the area’s storied history while bringing together the community for family-friendly fun. In addition to Jennings, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orlando Mayor Robert Stuart will speak at the event.
Historical Society organizers dedicate the opportunity to the memory of Grace Heggon, author and conservationist who helped promote the local history.
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Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel
The street sign, named after the university, was placed in the 1920s by developer Walter Rose and real estate company CABCO. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
