Cal Palmer Memorial Building 1911
Posted by: 
Markerman62
N 28° 29.731 W 081° 32.111
17R E 447621 N 3152212
Located at 502 Main Street, Windermere
Waymark Code: WM13EPQ
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 11/24/2020
Views: 7
In 1911, John Calvin “Cal” Palmer (1869-1965) and Dr. J. Howard Johnson (1871-1936) formed the Windermere Improvement Company and purchased all the lots of Windermere. They set about making it a destination for people to escape the harsh northern winters. Johnson returned to his home in Wauseon, Ohio, to advertise Windermere. Palmer remained in Florida to develop and sell the lots. He was appointed postmaster in 1911. Palmer built this building that same year and from here operated the post office and his businesses. Many local government meetings were held here until the Windermere Town Hall was built in 1922. Palmer was active in local government. He served on the town council for 17 years, as the first town council president for 11 years, and as mayor for 2 years. As a business community leader, Palmer founded the Windermere Citrus Growers Association in 1920, and was a member of the Florida Citrus Exchange from 1929 to 1943. The Cal Palmer Memorial Building has served various functions for public and private organizations, including as community meeting space and the Windermere Shuffle Board Club headquarters. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
Marker Number: F-1094
Date: 2020
County: Orange
Marker Type: City
Sponsored or placed by: Charles E. Matteson- -Eagle Scout Troop 320, Dr. Phillips Charities, Windermere Historic Preservation Board, and the Florida Department of State
Website: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
In your log, please say if you learned something new, and if you took any extra time to explore the area once you stopped at the historic marker waymark.
Please post a photo at the marker location.