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.
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Tim Orwick and spouse
Tim Orwick- Colonial High School graduate and yearbook photographer extraordinaire with his spouse.
Ivey's Drugs and Soda - Southwest corner of Gore and Orange Avenue circa 1960
Ivey's Rexall Drugs and Soda fountain at the southwest corner of Gore and Orange Avenue circa 1960. This was the era when most...
La Belle Furs - Orange Avenue
La Belle / LaBelle Furs has been and still is a fixture on Orange Avenue just south of Colonial / Highway 50....
Bob's Auto Glass - Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park - circa 1960
Bob's Auto Glass was located on west Fairbanks Avenue near the intersection of Ward. Now the location of several shops including Spatz. According...
Lake Eola looking west circa 1960
Photograph likely taken from Robinson Street side of Lake Eola catching fountain in the far left with the Orlando skyline in the...
Johnson Electric Company circa 1960
Johnson Electric Company circa 1960. At one time, Johnson Electric was the only major supplier of lighting in the Orlando area. Even...
First Federal Savings and Loan Association circa 1960
Unsure of the actual address of this location of the First Federal Savings and Loan Association building in this photograph. Most of the...
Main Street (Magnolia Avenue) Orlando circa 1960
Location of the building is 201 North Main at Jefferson. Main became Magnolia Avenue. The building is still standing. From the personal collection...
Winn Dixie - Colonial Drive circa 1960
Photograph of the Winn Dixie on Colonial Drive near Bumby. From the private collection of Tim Orwick.
WHOO Radio Studios circa 1960
WHOO Radio Station circa 1960. From the private collection of Tim Orwick.
Credit Finance Corporation - One North Rosalind circa 1960
This photograph is of the building at the intersection of Rosalind and Central - One North Rosalind. It has been the location...
Sussman Kassman circa 1960
Sussman - Kassman company circa 1960. From the private collection of Tim Orwick.
Timber Products Company circa 1960
Timber Products Company on Atlanta Avenue circa 1960. From private collection of Tim Orwick.
Rutland's Department Store circa 1960
Rutland's department store located at 61-69 North Orange Avenue circa 1960. According to R. L. Polk's 1963 Orlando and Winter Park City...
San Juan Hotel circa 1960
The San Juan Hotel, Beacham Theater and other businesses on North Orange Avenue circa 1960. From the private collection of Tim Orwick.
Orlando City Hall circa 1960
Photograph of the Orlando City Hall circa 1960.
Orange County Courthouse Annex circa 1963
Construction of the Orange County Courthouse Annex circa 1960. Annex was located in front of the courthouse on Central at Magnolia. It...
Jacklind Building circa 1960
The Jacklind Building was named because of its location at the corner of Jackson and Rosalind Avenue. From the private Collection of Tim Orwick.
George Stuart Office Supply circa 1960
George Stuart Office Supply company stood for decades at the intersection of Robinson and Rosalind Streets with the parking lot and entry...
Myrick's Furniture and Carpets circa 1960
Myrick's Furniture and Carpet store circa 1960. From the private collection of Tim Orwick.
Citizen's National Bank circa 1960
Citizen's National Bank at the corner of Robinson Street and Orange Avenue circa 1960. From the private collection of Tim Orwick.
Claude H. Wolfe appliance store circa 1960.
Claude H. Wolfe Appliance store circa 1960. From the private collection of Tim Orwick.
Figurella circa 1960
Figurella store circa 1960. From private collection of Tim Orwick.
Kent Furniture Company circa 1960
Kent Furniture company circa 1960. From private collection of Tim Orwick. According to the November 1962 Orlando Telephone Directory, Kent Furniture C...
Kent Furniture Company circa 1960 - Image 2
Kent Furniture Company circa 1960. From the private collection of Tim Orwick.
Kent Furniture Company circa 1960 - Interior
Kent Furniture Company circa 1960 - Interior. Can you say mid century modern? According to the November 1962 Orlando Telephone Directory, the Kent...
First National Bank Building circa 1960 - Under Construction 1
First National Bank Building under construction circa 1960. From the private collection of Tim Orwick. According to R.L. Polk's 1963 Orlando and Winte...
First National Bank Building circa 1960 - Under Construction 2
First National Bank Building circa 1960 under construction. From the private collection of Tim Orwick. According to R.L. Polk's 1963 Orlando and Winte...
American Casuality Company - Sondra Powell Building circa 1960
According to R. L. Polk's 1963 Orlando and Winter Park City Directory (page 598) the Sondra Powell Building was located at 1514-1516...
Kane the Furniture King circa 1960
Kane the Furniture King circa 1960. You can see a Holler Chevrolet sign in the background. According to R. L. Polk's 1963 Orlando...
Travelodge at Livingston and Rosalind circa 1960
Travelodge at Livingston and Rosalind circa 1960. From the private collection of Tim Orwick.
Orlando Federal Savings and Loan Association circa 1960 - Image 1
Orlando Federal Savings and Loan Association located at Colonial Branch at Magnolia and Livingston circa 1960. It was demolished to make way...
Orlando Federal Savings and Loan Association circa 1960 - Image 2
Orlando Federal Savings and Loan Association located at Magnolia and Livingston circa 1960. It was demolished to make way for the new...
May's Furniture Company circa 1960
May's Furniture Company circa 1960. From the private collection of Tim Orwick.
Albertson Public Library - Front exterior circa 1960
Albertson Public Library - Front exterior circa 1960. From the private collection of Tim Orwick.
Kent Furniture Company circa 1960 - Image 3
Kent Furniture Company circa 1960 - Image 3. According to the November 1962 Orlando Telephone Directory, Kent Furniture Company was located at 70...
Timber Products Company circa 1960 - Color
Timber Products Company circa 1960 - color photo. According to R. L. Polk's 1963 Orlando and Winter Park City Directory (page 748), Timber...
Timber Products Company circa 1960 - Image 2
Timber Products Company circa 1960 - Image 2. According to R. L. Polk's 1963 Orlando and Winter Park City Directory (page 748), Timber...
Timber Products Company circa 1960 - Image 3
Timber Products Company circa 1960. According to R. L. Polk's 1963 Orlando and Winter Park City Directory (page 748), Timber Products Company, Inc.,...
Auger Building circa 1960
Auger Building circa 1960 located at 326 North Magnolia Avenue. According to R. L. Polk's 1963 Orlando and Winter Park City Directory...
Citizens National Bank circa 1960
Citizens National Bank and Finnies circa 1960. From the private collection of Tim Orwick. According to their full page advertisement on page 28 in...
Poorbaugh State Farm Insurance and Wesco Realty Company circa 1960.
Poorbaugh State Farm Insurance circa 1960. According to R. L. Polk's 1963 Orlando and Winter Park City Directory, Agent William R. Poorbaugh's...
Potter, Bower and Company circa 1960
Potter Bower and Company circa 1960, located at 338 North Main Street, now Magnolia Avenue. According to R. L. Polk's 1963 Orlando and...
Potter, Bower and Company circa 1960 - 338 North Main / Magnolia Avenue
Potter Bower and Company circa 1963, located at 338 North Main Street, now Magnolia Avenue. According to R. L. Polk's 1963 Orlando and...
Orange Buick Company Used Car Lot circa 1960
Orange Buick Company Used Car Lot circa 1960. According to R. L. Polk's 1963 Orlando and Winter Park City Directory (page 554) Orange...
Orange Buick Company Used Car Lot circa 1960 - Image 2
Orange Buick Company Used Car Lot circa 1960. According to R. L. Polk's 1963 Orlando and Winter Park City Directory (page 554) Orange...
Finnies Inc. Complete Body and Paint Shop 1960
This is not Finnies - Complete Body and Paint Shop at 808 West Central in Orlando, but it is his advertisement on...
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Very well done pictorial of Orlando business back in time. Thank you. Scott
Greetings Scott! Thank you for visiting Orlando Memory and for your nice comment. You might wish to share your thoughts directly with Mr. Tim Orwick, the photographer who captured the images while in High School here in Orlando. This is his web site https://torwick.smugmug.com/ We hope you find other posts that bring back memories of days gone by. THE ORLANDO MEMORY TEAM
Great pics. George Stuart Office Supply. WHOO virtually across the street. What was the drug store on the corner. Hal River’s Service Station and Eola Park. George Stuart and my father were great friends. I remember virtually all of the buildings in the photos. Thanks for sharing them.
Greetings Steven! Thank you for visiting Orlando Memory. We were so excited when Tim Orwick dropped off the photos for us to share on Orlando Memory many years ago. They are wonderful reminders of days gone by in Orlando. We hope you find other posts and continue to share your memories with everyone! THE ORLANDO MEMORY TEAM
Thank you for your wonderful pictures Orlando in the past. I too am a graduate of Colonial HS 1976. My mother worked 20 plus yrs at Orlando Federal Savings and Loan and my Uncle sold cars at Orlando Buick dealership. Born and raised in Orlando I remember the old buildings. Orlando was a wonderful town to grow up in with Orange trees planted everywhere you looked. Disney changed everything and not for the good as far as I’m concerned.
Thank you for the memories of the town I grew up in.
Greetings Tammy! Thank you for visiting Orlando Memory and exploring the images shared with us by Tim Orwick. I remember Orlando Federal Savings and Loan very well! I opened my first savings account as an adult there. We hope you find other reminders of the good old days here in Orlando and continue to share with us your Orlando memories!
I remember most of those buildings from the 50’s and 60’s. I used to help my stepdad clean office in the Jacklind Building and I hated it, but that dirty work inspired me to do better.
Greetings, Sam! Thank you for visiting Orlando Memory and leaving a comment about the wonderful photos by Tim Orwick. The capture a time in Orlando history that is often forgotten. We hope you will find other posts that bring back memories on Orlando Memory!
Thanks for sharing, Tim. I have many memories from the 70s, but some of these were new to me. I was younger.
Greetings, Carmel! Thank you for visiting Orlando Memory and leaving a comment for Tim Orwick. You can contact him directly by following the link on his name at the top of the post or going directly to his web site https://torwick.smugmug.com/ We hope you will find other great memories as you peruse the posts on Orlando Memory.