Orlando History

Discover the stories that shaped our city

From pioneering settlers and visionary civic leaders to iconic landmarks and hidden historical gems, Orlando's past is rich with fascinating tales. These are the people who built our community, the buildings that defined our skyline, the bridges that connected us, the lakes that shaped our landscape, and the moments that transformed a small town into the vibrant city we know today. Through historical accounts and archival discoveries, we preserve and share the stories behind the places and faces that made Orlando extraordinary.

Merita Bread: The Orlando Factory That Made I-4 Smell Like Home

The Merita Bread factory perfumed Orlando’s I-4 for over 50 years. Here’s the story of the bakery, its workers, and the neon sign that lives on.

The Cherry Plaza Hotel: Orlando’s Most Storied Building You’ve Never Heard Of

The Cherry Plaza Hotel on Lake Eola hosted Walt Disney's secret 1965 announcement, a presidential overnight, and Orlando's best parties.

Morrison’s Cafeteria: The Steam-Table Sunday Tradition That Fed a City

Morrison’s Cafeteria shaped Orlando life for decades, from its 1932 downtown opening on West Central Ave. to suburban spots in Altamonte Springs and Kissimmee.

The Old Packing House: From Oranges to a Woolly Mammoth Foot in Winter Garden

The Old Packing House in Winter Garden is turning a 1909 citrus plant into a food hall, fossil museum, and community market.

Orlando’s Kress Building: The Wildest Résumé of Any Building in Downtown

The Kress Building in downtown Orlando has been a dime store, a civil-rights battleground, a medieval dinner theater, and a steakhouse...

Orlando Family Stage at 100: The Unlikely Century of a Children’s Theatre That Refused to Quit

Orlando Family Stage has been staging plays for Central Florida families for 100 years.

The Tinker Building: How a Baseball Legend Left His Name on Downtown Orlando

The Tinker Building at 16–18 W. Pine Street is one of downtown Orlando's most storied landmarks...

How 23 Women Started the Rosalind Club and Accidentally Renamed a Street

Rosalind Club: Founded in 1894 by 23 Orlando women, this private club helped launch Florida’s suffrage movement and left its name on the city’s streets.