This collection of black and white photographs is from the personal collection of Tim Orwick, Colonial High School graduate and yearbook photographer extraordinaire. Orlando Memory is grateful to Tim for sending us these photos to share.
Many of Tim Orwick’s photographs appear in Colonial High School yearbooks in the early 1960s.
“Tim Orwick has been a serious photographer since age 13, when he started processing film and printing enlargements with the guidance of Joe Clancy, a professional photographer in Orlando, Florida. Tim earned as much (or more) than his peers in high school by photographing school activities and community events.
But, real life of college, a career in accounting, software, and systems consulting intervened for about 40 years. Now retired from the business world, Tim has moved exclusively to digital photography. His subjects are nature and events near his home in Colorado and foreign travel.

An advertisement in R. L. Polk’s 1963 Orlando and Winter Park City Directory (page 426) reads:
La Belle Fur Co. Inc. Morris S. LaBellman, President. Furriers, Cold Storage, Restyling, Cleaning, Glazing.
351 North Orange Avenue. Telephone GArden 2-3565.
ABOVE: Photograph taken from Eola Drive entrance to Lake Eola Park catching fountain in the far left with the Orlando skyline in the background. Buildings identifiable are the Greek Orthodox Church and Orlando Memorial High School / Memorial Middle School on Rosalind.
The Bell Telephone Company tower can be seen on their building located at the corner of Magnolia and Wall Street. The First National Bank Building can also be seen in the background.
Library trivia lovers will note that there is no library visible to the left of the Greek Orthodox Church. That’s because the Albertson Public Library had a much smaller footprint. It faced Central but only comprised about half of the block between Central and Wall Street.
ABOVE: Located at 260 South Magnolia Avenue at Jackson Street, Johnson Electric company was at one time, the only major lighting company in the Orlando area. Even in 1970s folks from outlying counties would travel to Orlando at the request of their builders to select lighting for their homes.
According to the display advertisement in R.L. Polk’s 1963 Orlando and Winter Park City Directory (page 66), Johnson Electric Company, Inc. had been in business in Orlando since 1914! In 1963 the company was located at 260 South Magnolia Avenue at the corner of Jackson Street. Their advertisement touts that they have “Central Florida’s most complete display of lighting fixtures” and “Lamps (All Types), Lamp Shades and Small Appliances.” It also indicates that they are electrical contractors providing both residential and commercial wiring. Their phone numbers were GA 2-5186 and GArden 5-0823.
The listing on page 386 provides the following additional information: Albert B. Johnson – President, Paul H. Johnson – Vice President, Mrs. Martha R. Christensen – Secretary, Louis G. Christensen – Treasurer.
ABOVE: Ivey’s Rexall Drugs and Soda fountain at the southwest corner of Gore and Orange Avenue circa 1960.
This was the era when most drug stores had a lunch counter. They sold honest to goodness real hand dipped milk shakes, vanilla and cherry cokes and root beer floats! The specialty of the house many times included BLT sandwiches, vegetable soup, hot dogs and congealed Jello delicacies topped with whipped cream! Check out the bus and telephone booth.
http://torwick.smugmug.com/
Peruse all 47 images and read the descriptions below under Attachments: Winn Dixie, WHOO Radio, Wesco Realty Company, Timber Products Company, Travelodge, Sussman Kassman, Sondra Powell Building, San Juan Hotel, Rutland’s Department Store, Poorbaugh State Farm Insurance, Orlando Federal Savings and Loan Association, Orlando City Hall, Orange Buick, Myrick’s Furniture and Carpets, May’s Furniture Company, Main Street, La Belle Furs, Lake Eola, Kent Furniture, Johnson Electric, Jacklind Building, Ivey’s Drugs and Soda, George Stuart Office Supply, First National Bank Building, First Federal Savings and Loan Association, Finnies Complete Body and Paint Shop, Figurella, Credit Finance Corporation, Courthouse Annex, Claude H. Wolfe Appliances, Citizen’s National Bank, Auger Building, Bob’s Auto Glass, American Casualty Compay, Company, Albertson Public Library.