Winter Park

Images of America: Florida

by Jim Norris, Claire Strom, Danielle Johnson

Winter Park was founded in the 1880s as a balmy paradise for rich Northerners seeking to escape the tribulations of harsh winters or improve their health. The wealth involved in its foundation is still evident in the city's beautiful buildings, a planned African American neighborhood, and a preeminent liberal arts college. The community revolves around a series of picturesque lakes, offering visitors and residents alike many recreational opportunities. The large hotels, in conjunction with Park Avenue's shops, museums, and restaurants, provide many amenities in a lovely setting for visitors both past and present. Among the city's most notable attractions are the Morse Museum of American Art, founded in 1942, which houses the world's largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany's works and Rollins College, founded in 1885, which has become a vital part of the community, attracting vibrant personalities both as faculty members and students. One of its most famous alumni was Fred Rogers of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 2015

Reviews

[Will · Rating 2 out of 5]

One day I drove through Winter Park on my way to Orlando and I was mesmerized by the beautiful, natural surroundings of this college town. Home to Rollins College, I knew that this place must be special by just the looks alone. I heard of certain museums in the area such as Casa Feliz and the Morse Museum of Art. When I bought this book and started reading it, I was surprised to see the growth of the town starting with its first hotel attracting northerners to Winter Park. Unfortunately, this is where my romance with Winter Park ended. Halfway through the book, nowhere does the book show photographs of its historical sites and the museums as earlier mentioned. Instead, the majority of the book is dedicated to Rollins College and its development. I was easily bored by the coverage of this college and I wish the book focused more on the sites and a little less on the college itself. Yes, Rollins College is a big part of Winter Park, but that in and of itself is not enough to warrant my interest.