Letha Kate Palmer Luff, of Windermere, and Hatabel Hyer reminisce about earlier days of Windermere in this segment of the Pioneer Party Line. We are grateful for the Orange County Regional History Center’s making this recording available for Orlando Memory.
Letha (Mrs. Harry Chandler Luff) was the daughter of John Calvin (‘Cal’) and Kate Palmer. Cal Palmer and Dr. John Howard Johnson bought 2,000 acres around the small town of Windermere in 1911 and formed the Windermere Improvement Company. Cal Palmer built a home in Windermere while Dr. Johnson returned to Ohio to run the sales office there. Cal Palmer co-founded the Windermere Club Company which was responsible for developing and selling of property around Windermere.
Cal Palmer served as postmaster from 1911 to 1914. He also served as the chairman of the Orange County School Board Budget Committee in 1933. Cal Palmer also contributed to the citrus industry in Windermere, founding the Windermere Citrus Growers Association in 1920 and he was a member of the Florida Citrus Exchange from 1929 to 1943.
Letha Luff Interview, Part 1 (14:30)
Letha Luff Interview, Part 2 (14:51)
Listen to interviews with more Orlando pioneers.
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