The City of Winter Garden is a historic urban village with a vibrant downtown shopping district that is located in the western portion of Orange County. Orange County sits in the center of the state of Florida and is the region’s most populous county. Orange County is one of four counties encompassing 50 cities that make up the Orlando Metropolitan Statistical Area. Metro Orlando contains approximately 1.8 million residents. Metro Orlando is the 28th largest MSA in the country and according to the U.S. Census Bureau is expected to grow to over 2 million by 2009.

Winter Garden was originally developed as scattered farms along Lake Apopka in 1850. In the 1880’s the railroad stimulated growth and the city emerged as a citrus and vegetable center in the early 20th century. In the 20’s, the streets of Winter Garden began to take on certain charm and Winter Garden was the third largest city in Orange County. The population grew dramatically due to the land boom and a new hotel called The Edgewater was constructed in 1927, along with numerous commercial buildings and housing subdivisions. In the 50’s and 60’s, the streets of downtown provided entertainment amenities such as a movie theater, a soda fountain, skating, and restaurants.

Today, the population is over 28,440 and according to the Census Bureau, Winter Garden’s population will double by 2020. The Edgewater Hotel still remains and includes Amanda Eubanks Bakery, Nostalgic Memories Store, an old-fashioned barber shop, The Grove restaurant for barbecue, and Saris for fine dining. In early 2000, a $4.5 million dollar downtown revitalization project spurred significant private investment. The project was the first new construction in many years and resulted in a significant increase in property values. Today downtown Winter Garden is an eclectic mix of specialty retail, unique restaurants and an emerging office market.

The City of Winter Garden is home to the West Orange Trail Head. The world class rail-trail travels to the communities of Apopka and Oakland. The 19-mile paved surface trail runs through the City’s Historic Downtown and offers bikers, hikers, cyclists and roller bladers a rewarding experience and excellent facilities. In fact, it is estimated that the trail is responsible for generating about 50,000 downtown visitors per month.

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HISTORICAL IMAGES CIRCA 1920, Main Street looking north (top) and south (bottom).

344,000 people live within a 10 mile radius of Downtown Winter Garden

Winter Garden is an economic hub for West Orange County

Monthly events and festivals are held in Downtown Winter Garden

The City of Winter Garden is fortunate to have a group of community leaders and citizens who have created a foundation to preserve our heritage and architecture while creating new cultural experiences. The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation has four assets that consist of the Heritage Museum, the History Center, the Railroad Museum and the historic Garden Theatre.

The Heritage Museum, located at One North Main Street, is a wonderful three dimensional walk through West Orange County’s glorious past. Established in 1998 and housed in the 1918 Atlantic Coast Line Depot in downtown Winter Garden, the museum includes a large collection of citrus labels, Native American artifacts, photographs, and railroad memorabilia dating from the days of pioneer settlement to the present. The museum is also a repository for the archives of the history and restoration of Lake Apopka, the former “Big Mouth Bass Capital Of The World”.

The Railroad Museum is located at 101 South Boyd Street in the former Tavares and Gulf Depot and is truly one of Central Florida’s gems. The museum has the finest collection of local and national railroad memorabilia anywhere, including historical photographs, dining car china and silver, a 1938 Fairmont motor car, a velocipede hand car, and the former Clinchfield Railroad caboose.

The History Center is currently located in the lobby of our historic Edgewater Hotel. The History Center is Winter Garden’s family research center and features revolving exhibits of local interest. It is truly the “core” of the Heritage Foundation’s operations. The History Center offers educational field trips created by a team of experienced elementary school teachers and museum volunteers. The educational activities meet the Grade Level Expectations for Florida Sunshine Standards.

The Garden Theatre is located at 160 West Plant Street. Originally operated as a movie theatre which opened in 1935, the interior featured a Spanish tile courtyard, “Romeo and Juliet” balconies, and a dark blue ceiling resplendent with “stars”. This 317-seat theatre is currently undergoing restoration and will reopen as a center for performing arts and film, featuring a stage for live performances as well as a movie screen for enjoying classic movies and film festivals.

For more information, please visit www.wghf.org

Winter Garden Heritage Foundation
32 W. Plant Street
Winter Garden, FL 34787
Phone: (407) 656-3244
Fax: (407) 656-0110
Email: museum@wghf.org

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Winter Garden is well on its way toward its goal of having a public event every month. In addition to the Recreation Department’s regular lineup, several annual events are permanently on the City’s calendar, such as “Evening with the Pops” featuring the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Fine Art and Craft Festival and Music Fest – both two-day events -- and “Spring Fever in the Garden,” presented by the Bloom ‘N Grow Garden Society. Phases Two and Three of the downtown redevelopment plan will secure a venue for even more entertainment and event opportunities.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.cwgdn.com/pages/recreation/special_events.php

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