Annie Lewis Lyon was the daughter of Ralph and Hilder Augusta Sherblum Lewis. Annie and Hatabel Hyer discuss the Swedish community in central Florida and in particular the All State Parade of March 14, 1928 which featured the Viking Society’s float. Orlando’s Evening Reporter Star described the parade entry as follows:
- Beautiful in its conception and elaborate in execution was the Viking Society float, representing an old Viking vessel. It is an exact replica of one found in a mound outside of Oslo, Norway. Twelve stalwart Viking sailors, clad in steel helmets and armor manned this seaworthy looking vessel and a beautiful young lady impersonated the Viking queen to whom they swore their allegiance.
The “Viking queen” was Margaret Ekdahl, who later became “Miss America” 1930.
The Orange County Regional History Center has Mr. Lewis’ helmet from the parade. You can also search for object 1976.023.0001 under Collections.
This interview was conducted by Hatabel Hyer on March 17, 1975 for the Central Florida Historical Committee. We are grateful for the Orange County Regional History Center’s making this recording available for Orlando Memory.
Lucille Frey is also briefly interviewed at the end, also regarding early Swedish residents and they also discuss the photograph of the Viking float. Hatabel Hyer again states that the Prince and Princess are seen in the photo and that the Princess is none other than the soon to be 1930 “Miss America”, while the Prince was a Mr. Nelson, from whose funeral Ms Frey had just returned. Then they discuss the Doctors Kress.
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Interview with Annie Lewis Lyon
Annie and Hatabel Hyer discuss the Swedish community in central Florida and in particular the All State Parade of March 14, 1928 which featured the Viking Society's float.
Lucille Frey is also briefly interviewed at the end.
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