The Last Day of the Floridan Hotel, Howey-in-the-Hills

 It looked good, right up until the first kaboom.

The Floridan Hotel and Country Club in Howey-in-the-Hills was built in 1924, on the site of the former Hotel  Bougainvillea which had burned to the ground in 1920.  

The photo above shows construction underway as the Floridan Hotel takes shape.  This may have been the original work from 1924, or perhaps the expansion of the hotel's rooms from 75 to 105, two years later.  

As you can see, the hotel had a cute surrey to transport guests from their lodgings to the golf course. 

I believe the above photo shows the hotel just about when it was completed, based on the mid-1920s automobiles parked in the driveway.

This is a mid-1930's photo of the same view of the front of the hotel, as you can tell by the cars.  

The 75-room Hotel Floridan was designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, then being popularized by the architects of Central Florida.  

Stucco walls red tile roofs, and an arched portico, all set the theme.  

Owned by William J. Howey, the hotel was the ideal destination for potential investors in his Lake County citrus growing ventures.  

Golf course architect George O'Neil of Chicago was commissioned to create a golf course at Howey-in-the-Hills. His 18-hole course continues to delight golfers.  O'Neil is well known for designing or co-designing many fine courses including Pasadena, Mountain Meadows, Maxwelton Braes, South Bend Country Club, Barrington Hills Country Club, and the Greenbriar Course in West Virginia. 

The course underwent further enhancements in 1926, by Charles E. Clarke (perhaps best remember as the golf architect of the Troon Golf Course in Scotland).  That original course is still in existence, and is the highly-ranked El Campion Golf Course, part of the Mission Inn Resort.

To appeal to golfers, the resort was later advertised as the Floridan Country Club and Hotel, as in these vintage match book covers.

As such, the hotel was still in operation in the 1950s, as you see in the next photo.  By this time, the hotel was also marketed to small plane owners, who could fly in to stay at the hotel.  In this, it was similar to Chalet Suzanne in Lake Wales.  Interestingly, William J. Howey had once owned the land in Lake Wales where Bok Tower Gardens are, before relocating and concentrating his development goals in Lake County.  Of interest is the fact that sometime between the mid 1930s and the early 1950s, the third floor penthouse situated over the main entry of the hotel was removed, and the corner towers there, lowered. As yet, we do not know why this remodeling took place.  

The Floridan Hotel would later become a victim to a weird economic phenomenon that became popular in parts of Florida, where movie production companies would pay cities to blow up buildings for their movies (so much for historic preservation...!).  It was blown up in 1994 for Hulk Hogan's "Thunder in Paradise" episodes 17 & 18, "Deadly Lessons". It still looked good, right up to the end.  

So here's the question...

Who designed the hotel?  I would very much like to know.  It could have been any of the architectural firms active in Central Florida in the 1920s.  I have a hunch it was either Ryan and Roberts, or Frederick H. Trimble, who was the architect of the nearby academic buildings of the Monteverde Academy.  

I would like to hear from anyone who can tell me who the architect was.  Please send me a comment or message.  

"Orlantic" - Seeking Information About This Community on Cape Canaveral

Here is a site plan and a locator map for the subdivision named "Orlantic". It was owned and developed by architects Isabel Roberts and Ida Annah Ryan, on land at Cape Canaveral, in the early 1920s.  It was situated along the Atlantic Coastline, directly to the right (east) of where NASA's Launch Complex 40 now stands.  Due to its location, access to the site is restricted.

Above locator map shows the location of Orlantic in red.

Below is the site plan showing the streets and lots for Orlantic.

Lots were sold or assigned to a large group of customers, approximately 70 lots, in total.  Some were family and friends of these two women architects, others were leading citizens in Central Florida.  It is not known how many of the lots were developed, nor how many of the owners spent how much time there. 

That is why I am hoping for your help.  

If you  have extended family or friends who were once here, and have memories or photos of  "Orlantic" that you would be willing to share, I would be delighted to hear from you.  Just respond with a Comment, and I will get in touch with you.  Please take a moment to read the list of Orlantic owners (below); you may see someone you know or know about listed there.

Thanks in advance for your help!

************

Orlantic Lot Owners are listed below

Items in red have some information about them

 

Orlantic Owners with the last name Ryan:

 

·   Gerald D. Ryan – Appears to have been a street contractor in Central Florida, in 1919 he was granted permits for street improvements in Leesburg.

·          Elizabeth Ryan – no information yet.

·    Frances M Ryan – probably Frances Mills Ryan, Nov 1898-Mar 1981, buried in the Ocoee Cemetery, Orange County FL 

·      Florence G Ryan – no information yet.

·      Daniel M. Ryan – no information yet.

·      Otta M. Ryan – (see below)

·  Otta Ryan Crabill (Same as above) – 1895-1968, buried in Middleburg Methodist Church Cemetery, Middleburg, Clay County, Florida.

·      Henry M and Ada T. Ryan – no information yet.

·      *Curtis L Ryan – 1891-1953 -  buried in Middleburg Methodist Church Cemetery, Middleburg, Clay

·      *Roweena (N) Ryan – 1857-1934 - buried in Middleburg Methodist Church Cemetery, Middleburg, Clay

·      *C. M. Ryan – no information yet.

 

Orlantic Owners with the last name Roberts:

 

·      Elsie M Roberts – [possibly Elsie May Wintersgill Roberts – 1895-1947 born in PA, buried at Royal Palm S Cemetery, ST Petersburg 

·      Alice and LeRoy Roberts – no information yet.

·      R. F. Roberts – no information yet.

·      Eva V Roberts – no information yet.

·      Mrs T. S. Roberts – no information yet.

·      Charlotte B. Roberts (Mrs. John Somerville)

·      Thomas W Roberts – no information yet.

·      H. Armstrong (1885-1947) and Marguerite A. Roberts (1885-1963) (m 1911)– both buried West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, PA

·      L. H. Roberts – no information yet.

·      Philip W. Roberts – probably Philip William Roberts, citrus grower and mason, of Mimms; 1878-1948, LaGrange Cemetery, Mims FL

·      C. V and Laurel Roberts – both, no information yet.

·      Mrs. M. E. Roberts – no information yet.

·      C. D. Roberts – Isabel's sister, Charlotte D. Roberts

·      F. S. Roberts – no information yet.

·      George W. And Ina M. Roberts – no information yet.

·      Emma Roberts – no information yet.

·      Jeannie Roberts – no information yet.

·      L. and Ada S. Roberts – no information yet.

·      Kathleen Roberts – no information yet.

·      Verne Roberts – no information yet.

·      *Etta Roberts - possibly buried in Westchester Hills Cemetery Ny

·      Mrs Paul Roberts – no information yet.

 

Other Orlantic Owners:

 

·      H. B. Roberts – H. B. Roberts Realty (February 14, 1925 · 19

·      Mr. Hogue with H. B. ROBERTS REALTY CO. INC. 304 Krause 

·      Elnora Nehf - 1866-1966 – There's lawsuit information v. Fred B. Houghton, on 5/31/33 suggesting the suit was something about Orlantic…  Also this genealogy information: George Arthur Nehf was born June 20, 1883, to George H (Jr) Nehf (1857-1925) and Elnora Matson Nehf.

·      Howard H. Elliott - no information yet.

·      Frank Novak – no information yet.

·      Harry. M. Scott – no information yet.

·      Madeline H Lowerre (womens tennis)(also soprano soloist in New York City) –  1919,  “Miss Helen Gillendeau proved the strongest in the women's singles , winning from Miss Madeline Lowerre in the final round“. 1922 “Madeline Lowerre , soprano , has become one of the soloists at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Yonkers.” Sept 15, 1917,  “Miss Madeline Lowerre yesterday made the best of a small field in the opening of the women’s singles in the city tennis tournament being held at the Park ..” NYTimes. (Could she possibly have been Madeline Herriot Lowerre 1895-1979, buriedin Arlington Memorial Park, Sandy Springs, GA?) Madaline H Loueree was born about 1896, her father, George N. Lowerre, was 40. In 1940, she was 44 years old and lived in Buckhead, Fulton County, Georgia, with her father, aged 84.

·      Grant-Miami Corporation (1925-1932) – GRANT-MIAMI CORPORATION has been set up 3/16/1925 in state FL. The current status of the business is Inactive. The GRANT-MIAMI CORPORATION principal address is MIAMI, FL. Meanwhile you can send your letters to MIAMI, FL. The company`s registered agent is FL. The company`s management are President, Director - Sutherland W E, Vice President, Director - Leitz B M, Secretary, Treasurer, Director - Leitz Eugene. The last significant event in the company history is DISSOLVED BY PROCLAMATION which is dated by 11/23/1936

·      John G. Staiger (farm equipment manufacturer)

·      Merritt Island Investment Company (1923-1933) perhaps longer  – [] Merritt Island Investment Company V. Rumsey. Date: May 1, 1933. Cited By: 0. Matter Of Commr. Of Tax. And Fin. V. Realty Ass'n. Date: May 1, 1933.

·      J. F. Lynch ( maybe- JAMES FRANCIS LYNCH : lawyer ; married Gertrude Altenbrand , New York , N. Y. , Nov. ... diversions , golf , swimming , playing tennis ; publications , “ The Gold of the Florida Sun.

·      Norris T. Froscher (Norris Teague Froscher of Daytona)(Banker)(served as clerk of the circuit court Titusville 1921-1932). Mary Feaster Coleman , daughter of George Washington Coleman and Annie Julia Lonergan , married her cousin , Norris Teague Froscher , April 8 , 1914 , at Titusville , Florida . 2 children .(namesake was involved in auto racing.  Died April 2010. Married to Marilyn 42 years. Son: Teague. This was probably the son of the person connected with Orlantic)

·      Pryor Fulton – 1859-1929 – buried in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham Mass. (owner The New England Coal Co, Waltham Mass)(so Ida Ryan connection). Wife was Christina Fulton.

·      Laurel McDaniel - died Setp 1950 - buried in Hilltop Cemetery, Cocoa, Florida.  John W McDaniel is also buried in this cemetery. His dates suggest he was her husband.

·      R. A. Hobbs – no information yet.

·      C. A. Phelps – On February 22 , 1922 , by virtue of an assignment from C. A. Phelps , petitioner , Phelps - Waters Co. , received $ 1,800 as part of a liquidating dividend from the Wisconsin Chemical Co.

·      Anna E. Collier – no information yet.

·      Martin J. Golden – no information yet.

·      Catherine Elliott (related to Howard, above?) – no information yet.

·      Elizabeth M. Tyler – no information yet.

·      The South Melbourne Home Sites Company Inc – no information yet.

·      L. & M. Properties – no information yet.

·      Neiman Construction Co Inc – no information yet.

·      Meta A. Shipman (appears in the 1940 census)

·      Leslie J. Davidson (1416 Fern Creek Dr. in 1925 Orlando directory 

·      Brevard County Bank and Trust

·      D. P. Sias (David Purdy Sias of Winter Park FL Leading citizen of Central Florida.  His Orlando area home was designed by Ryan and Roberts. On Lake Lucy.

·      Nettie E. Gordon (1940 census, lived at 411 Palmer St Orlando on Lake Cherokee but it’s now condos)

·      Fred B. Houghton (1940 census)(v. Elnora Nehf, on 5/31/33)

·      R. M. Dungan lived at 1220 Palmer St in 1928. It is a craftsman style house.

·      The Fireproof Brick & Tile Co. of Orlando , Fla, has been incorporated with a capital stock of $ 25,000 . R. M. Dungan , 1224 Palmer St. , was the principal incorporator “) (Ray M Dungan, 1878-1968, buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Orlando.  (Wife was Honor E Dungan)(1925 Orlando Directory has his address as 1024 Palmer.

·      Weyman P. West (P=Poole) – no information yet.

·      A. D. Wentworth (possibly Adrian Dexter Wentworth) attorney. Practices in Titusville fl. The Life Summary of Adrian Dexter

·      When Adrian Dexter Wentworth was born on 4 February 1876, in Taylor, Florida, United States, his father, James Hamilton Wentworth, was 39 and his mother, Nancy Jane Hendry, was 30. He married Carmen Ercell Wilson on 9 July 1905. They were the parents of at least 1 son. He lived in Election Precinct 6 Lake Bird, Taylor, Florida, United States in 1880 and Elizabeth City, Pasquotank, North Carolina, United States in 1964. He died on 5 July 1964, in Taylor, Florida, United States, at the age of 88, and was buried in Taylor, Florida, United States.  WENTWORTH , Adrian D. , The Duren Bldg . , 342 Washington Ave. , Titusville 

·      The Story of Florida - Volume 4 - Page 636

·      William Thomas Cash · 1938 · ‎Snippet view · ‎More editions

·      His wife , Adrian Dexter Wentworth's mother , was born March 17, 1845 , in Thomas County , Georgia . ... Starting his legal work in Titusville , he conducts a law firm here under his own name , and is engaged in a general line of legal…

·      *Dune Ridge Suburban Development Company”  - no information yet.

 

Isabel Roberts and Ida Annah Ryan Documentary Screening

 

Looking forward to speaking at Casa Feliz in Winter Park on Tuesday evening.  The new documentary about Isabel Roberts and Ida Annah Ryan will be screened.  A magical architectural event in a magical architectural setting.  Hope you can join us!

The documentary utilizes many of my photos and much of my research on Ryan and Roberts, Architects, and their practice in Central Florida.

Eclectic Mediterranean Revival in Orlando

Grace Phillips Johnson House

"O-Po-Le-O"

"House Between the Waters"

1005 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, Florida

 

Architect: David B. Hyer (born 1875)

Read more about David B. Hyer here:

David Burns Hyer

 

Hyer's finest and most visible Orlando work is the Grace Phillips Johnson Estate situated on Edgewater Drive between Orlando and College Park.  This grand Mediterranean Revival home is on a narrow isthmus of land, separating Lake Concord to the east and Lake Adair to the west.  The lake side of the estate offers sweeping views across Lake Concord to downtown Orlando.  Orlandians are quite familiar with the lake side of the house, as it can be seen and admired from a distance, from I-4.  Usually, there are several swan boats docked in front of the house.

This house has an Eclectic Mediterranean style with stucco construction, barrel tile roofs, curved parapets, a tower, inset sculptural niches, and decorative details typical of French and Spanish Baroque construction of the 17th and 18th Centuries.  This was a favored style for all of the 1920s Orlando Group of architects, who strove to design buildings in keeping with the Florida environment.  There is a freestanding two story garage and apartment on the property, designed in this same style.  The house interior at one time boasted three murals by Florida artist and designer of whimsical storybook style homes, Sam Stoltz.  Only one remains, a peacock.

American businesswoman and philanthropist Clarinda Grace Phillips Johnson was born June 23, 1877, in New Castle, PA, one of three children of petroleum magnate Thomas W. (“T. W.”) Phillips, Sr., and his second wife Pamphelia Hardman. Grace’s two brothers were: T. W. Phillips, Jr., (1874–1956), and Benjamin Dwight (“B. D.”) Phillips (1885–1968).

 

T W. Phillips, Sr., was the largest independent petroleum producer in the United States. In 1887 he was made president of the Producers' Protective Association, a secret organization of some, two thousand oil men in thirty six local assemblies organized primarily to combat the Standard Oil combination of John D. Rockefeller. Presidents R B Hayes and J A Garfield were among their family friends.

 

Phillips married, in 1862, Clarinda, daughter of David and Nancy Rebecca (Arter) Hardman. She died in 1866, and in 1870 he married her younger sister, Pamphila, who survived, him. To the first marriage two sons were born, and to the, second, three sons and a daughter.

 

The Phillips were active in and leading supporters of the Church of Christ (Disciples) founded by Alexander Campbell. Phillips authored a number of works, including important anti-trust legislation. However, his most influential book was The Church of Christ. Originally published anonymously, early editions identified the author simply as “A Layman.”

 

Grace was a proficient horsewoman, a keen billiard player and she loved golf. Her family encouraged her talent for business, which began a lifelong involvement in commercial and financial ventures. Her hometown of New Castle, PA, depended on her for financial support and leadership. She supported the YWCA, YMCA and youth camps and many other Christian causes. During W W II she was active in the "Bundles for Britain" campaign, using her indoor swimming pool as a place to gather donations till there was enough to ship.

 

In 1903, Grace Phillips married Charles Harmany Johnson (July 9, 1870 - Dec. 10, 1918) who was the owner of a limestone quarry, a banker and owner of Johnson Bronze. As a wedding present Charles presented Grace with a limestone Arts and Craft style mansion on Moody Avenue in New Castle, known as the “Grace Phillips Johnson House” (1912). They were the parents of five children: Charles H Johnson Jr, Phillips Johnson, Winifred Johnson (Clive). George W. Johnson and Thomas Phillips Johnson. Charles H. Johnson died on Dec. 10, 1918, at his home in New Castle, Pa., after an illness of more than four weeks brought about by a complete nervous collapse. The children were quite young; Mrs. Johnson raised them as a single parent with a loving and firmly guiding hand.

 

Grace Phillips Johnson raised her family living in the mansion on Moody Avenue in New Castle, PA. In 1928, she also built and thereafter maintained a second residence on one of Orlando Florida’s finest sites, a narrow isthmus of land at 1005 Edgewater Drive, situated between Lake Concord and Lake Adair. It continues to be one of the most beautiful estates in Central Florida.

 

Mrs. Johnson was a noted philanthropist. Central Christian Church and Washington Shores Christian Church owe their buildings to her benevolences. She also paid for the land for the Winter Park Christian Church and the Maitland Christian Church. She was a lead donor in creating the National City Christian Church in Washington DC. An art museum in Enid, Oklahoma, is named in her honor. Bethany College has three buildings that bear Phillips family names; Phillips University is also among the Phillips family’s charitable interest. Grace Phillips Johnson’s family continues to be active in civic and charitable work in Central Florida.