Henry A. Porter
This material may not be suitable for all ages. Please review it with discretion. For further information, please review our Content Disclaimer.
Henry A. Porter is one of six brothers who were born and raised in Conway. His parents were originally from the United Kingdom; his mother from Wales and his father from England. Here, Mr. Porter discusses various topics, including his family, his life in Conway, and his experiences in the citrus business. He also remembers attending the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Mr. Porter was 81 at the time of this interview. This interview was conducted by Eleanor Fisher on June 14, 1975 for the Friends of the Orlando Public Library’s Oral History Committee.
LISTEN 30:42
Part One
In part one, topics discussed include:
- His family and their arrival in Florida
- His father’s career
- His career in citrus
- Hunting
- Conway
- Star Route
- Holidays
- His position on the County Commission
- Religious beliefs
- Porter family descendants
- Walking from Orlando to Sanford
LISTEN 11:21
Part Two
In part two, topics discussed include:
- Attending Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation
- Traveling in the United Kingdom
- School experiences
- Clarifications from Eleanor Fisher
We are grateful for the Orange County Regional History Center’s making this recording available for Orlando Memory.
Listen to other oral histories with other Orlando pioneers.
Back to top
I really enjoy the conversation about their family and Orlando past history. I was born here in Orlando in 1968 as my mother too in 1944 at Orange Memorial. Grew up in Pine Hills. lol his is pure delight to listen to. Thank you for sharing.
If I am not mistaken, Henry A. Porter’s wife was Lucy Jones Porter. She was my father’s sister. My father was Bascom Melvin Jones (1891 – 1962) and lived in Birmingham, AL. My Aunt Lucy came to visit me when I was a student at Georgia Tech (1953?) After Georgia Tech, I came to Stanford for graduate school in electrical engineering. I am now 91 and retired near San Francisco. Did the Porters sell their citrus groves to the Disney Corp. for Disney World? That is the rumor I heard.
Thank you very much for the Porter interview.
Greetings! Thank you for visiting Orlando Memory and sharing the information about your father’s sister. We did a property record search on the Orange County Comptroller’s site (occompt.com) and found MANY transactions with your father’s sister’s name, but we can’t readily see one that looks like a sale to Walt Disney World. Walt Disney began buying up property in 1964 or 1965, but through an agent so no one would know. You may wish to search the site to see if you can find a transaction. Thanks again for sharing your family connection to the post on Henry A. Porter on Orlando Memory! Orlando Memory Staff