If you have never visited Clermont’s Historic Village or, if it has been a long time since you visited, you may want to make plans to go there soon.  There have been some big changes to the display in one of the buildings and more changes around the Village are in the works.

For the past few months some dedicated volunteers have been working tirelessly to redo the display in the World War II Quonset hut.  Most of the printed material that was on the shelves in the lighted cases has been digitized and the originals are now stored in archival boxes.  Copies of those materials and other items are now on a new vertical display.  Also on vertical display are several interesting photographs of individuals and events from the war.

So, what happened to the space freed up when the print material was removed?  A lot of interesting items that had been stored in trunks in the Quonset hut including quite a few items brought home from Germany after the war by our returning troops are now out for visitors to see.

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Additionally, every item on display in a case, on top of a case, next to a case, or on the wall by a case has been given a number.  Sheets are provided to help visitors identify objects.

The Historic Village, located at 490 West Avenue, is open every weekend from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.  Admission to the Village is free but a donation of $5.00 per person over 12 is suggested.

If you are interested in the history of your community or history in general, consider joining the Historical Society.  Annual dues are only $25.00 for an individual & $35.00 for a couple.  The Historical Society meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 PM in the Depot at the Village.  The public is always welcome.

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Dr. Steve Asman moved to Clermont many years ago and established a family medicine practice here, but it was his discoveries in the waters of Lake Louisa that brought him to the Historical Society’s June meeting.  Dr. Asman and his family have lived near the lake for many years.  It was during the drought of 2000 when Lake Louise was six feet lower than it is today that he started running along the newly exposed shore.  It was then he realized how the very dark water in the lake prevented vegetation from growing, there was no muck along those edges.

One day when he was driving across the bridge, he noticed what looked like a sand bar in the distance.  This piqued his curiosity, and he decided to boat out there and investigate and there was a sand bar but there was even more.  He discovered a long, narrow, old, wooded canoe.  He contacted a park ranger who put him in touch with the state archaeologist.  Carbon dating identified the canoe as being 3,400 years old—pre-historic!  And the best part, there were two of them! 

That is not all he found.   On further trips to the sand bar, he noticed what later turned out to be the propellor of a missing World War II plane that crashed into Lake Louisa on a training mission.  He would eventually learn the name of the young pilot and the fact that he was one of over 200 pilots who died during training in Florida.

Dr. Asman has written a book about his discoveries.  He is holding it in the picture above.

There are lots of interesting stories about Clermont and its history—both long-ago and more recently.  The Clermont Historic Village is the perfect place to learn some of these stories and spend a relaxing afternoon.  Located on the shores of beautiful Lake Minneola at 490 West Avenue, the Village is open every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00PM.  A donation of $5.00 per person over 12 is requested.

If you are interested in the history of Clermont in particular or history in general, why not consider joining the Historical Society.  Dues are only $25.00 for an individual or $35.00 for a couple.  The Historical Society meets on the second Monday of every month in the Railroad Depot at the Village.  The board meetings start at 6:00 pm and are open to the public.  The next meeting is July 14.

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On Saturday, November 23^rd the Clermont Historic Village will again be open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for the 7^th annual Heritage Day Festival.  This free event boasts several activities allowing visitors to participate in “old-time” chores and activities.  Have you ever wondered how Clermont’s early settlers lived and were able to meet their basic needs like how they kept their food from rotting without refrigeration?  If you were without electricity for days after Milton, this may have occurred to you!  Come to the Village on the 23^rd and you can find out.  What did they do when they needed to build a new house? Come to the Village on the 23^rd and find out.  What did the children do for fun when they were done with their chores?  Come to the Village on the 23^rd and find out!

In addition to the activities related to the daily lives of the early South Lake County settlers, Read to Sydney, several Tin Lizzies, an antique fire truck, and YouTube personalities Captains A and SySy will be on hand again this year.  Children will be able to read to Sunny and get a book to take home and children of all ages will have photo opportunities with the captains and their entourage.  The owners of the fire truck and the Model T’s love talking with young & old alike about their vehicles and, of course, there is always that picture of you behind the wheel on one!  Lunch will also be available for purchase.

The Historic Village is located at 490 West Avenue, Clermont on the shores of beautiful Lake Minneola.  The Village is normally open every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00-4:00 pm.  Admission is free. A donation of $5.00 per person over 12 is recommended.

If you are interested in history in general or the history of Lake County in particular, contact the Clermont Historical Society by going to our website, ClermontVillage.org; by calling our manager, Roxanne Brown, at 352-432-3496 or by attending our membership meetings which are held on the second Monday of every month at 6:00 pm in the Depot at the Historic Village.

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Almost everyone knows the iconic “Rosie the Riveter, We Can Do It!” signs.  But do you know the story behind them?  Did you know there was a “Rosie the Riveter” song?  Or that the Rosie we know & love was not the original one?  She wasn’t well known at all during World War II.  Two others were the famous ones.

Come to Clermont’s Historic Village on Saturday, February 17^th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and meet Angie Morthland, the granddaughter of a real-life Rosie, and she will tell you all about it!  Angie Morthland, a retired teacher and American Rosie the Riveter Association state director has been preserving, paying tribute to, and advocating the stories of the women who worked to help win the war through the Midwest and Florida for over 25 years.

The Village is conveniently located at 490 West Avenue on the shores of beautiful Lake Minneola.  The Village is open every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm so Angie will be in the Quonset hut, a World War structure, the entire time the Village is open to talk with people and share her enthusiasm with everyone.  So, mark your calendars now because you don’t want to miss this informative, entertaining, and free, family-friendly event.

The post Rosie The Riveter is Coming to Town! (Saturday, Feb 17) appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

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It’s that time of year again!  The summer’s heat is upon us, the sales tax holiday has begun, families are getting ready for the start of school and it’s time for the People’s Choice Dessert Challenge!  This coming Saturday, August 5^th, the Clermont Historical Society will host its annual free end-of-summer break celebration from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. 

At the challenge, local vendors give out free samples of their products for everyone to sample.  After you have eaten your fill, you can then vote for your favorite treat.  Ribbons and prizes will be given to the top three vendors.  This year, if there is one (or perhaps, two) treats that your especially enjoyed, you will be able to purchase directly 

This year’s participants include Cookie Queen, Dee’s Sweet Treats, Gaijin Taiyaki, Morgan’s Cakes, Owen’s Ice Cream Factory, Ritter’s Frozen Custard, Sweet vs Sinful, and The Crazy Apron.

The Historic Village is conveniently located at 490 West Avenue in Clermont, not far from the historic downtown district.  While you are at the Challenge, why not take that opportunity to stroll through the Village and even tour the buildings?  The Village is home to a World War II Quonset hut, the original Cooper Memorial Library, the house built by Clermont’s first African American family—James & Sallie Townsend and much more.  The Village is open every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm and admission is by donation.

Don’t forget, Saturday, August 5^th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm for free, delicious samples of sweet treats!  See you then!

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Pete Cole, the Townsend family liaison, and an active member of the Clermont Historical Society’s (CHS) Board of Directors was joined by CHS members to not only clean the monument but also secured the monument with a permanent anchoring. The team researched and discovered a unique ink that is specifically used on headstones to enhance letters and numbers on the stone as well. A piece of Clermont’s deep history has been preserved for future generations thanks to the dedication of the CHS members.

 The Townsend’s were the first black residents of Clermont, moving to Clermont in 1887. Soon after moving to Clermont, Mrs. Townsend became a midwife after taking a nursing course. She is credited with delivering more than a thousand children, both black and white, in the South Lake County area. She continued her work until her health compelled her to retire a few years before her death in 1954 at the age of 81.  The late Sallie Benson, a beloved Lincoln Park and Clermont Elementary School teacher of more than thirty years, was one of two grandchildren of the Townsend couple.

The couple’s wood frame home, originally located on State Road 50, West of Third Street in Clermont, was built in the late 1800s. The home remained at that location until 2002 when it was moved to the CHS grounds and preserved in as much of its original condition as possible. The home’s galvanized handrail remains in its original location on State Road 50 and can be safely observed from a vehicle while driving by the location.

 The Townsend House is open for tours during operating hours of the Clermont Historical Village.

Hours of operation are Saturday, 1 PM to 4 PM; Sunday, 1 PM-4 PM; Reservations are available by calling 352-432-3496 (leave message).

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Monday evening, April 10^th, the lure of our beautiful lakes came to life at the Clermont Historical Society in more ways than one!  Rebecca Stokes Mendoza and Chuck Heddon gave an amazing presentation interweaving the histories of their families in the Clermont/Minneola area and the development of the Heddon fishing lure. By taking turns, showing beautiful slides, and having artifacts on display, they were able to paint a fascinating picture of life in South Lake County from the turn of the 20^th Century up to modern day. 

The Heddon family came here from Michigan and originally were snowbirds.  The Stokes family were from upstate New York’s Mohawk Valley.  It was a love of fishing, hunting and the outdoor life that brought them together.  Chuck’s great-grandfather had, quite by accident, learned that the bass would strike a lure as it floated on top of the water.  He developed & patented the Heddon lure (pictured above) which is still manufactured today.  In an attempt to test the lures year-round, Chuck’s grandparents started coming to this area in the winter.  This put them in contact with Rebecca’s great uncle, Charles, and grandfather Harry, who worked for his brother (Charles) as a guide at the Jolly Palms. Room and board were $1.50 per day, which included the use of a horse and dog, and the services of a guide for a local hunt. Harry Stokes was also an avid fisherman and a savvy businessman, so an immediate bond was formed with the Heddon fishermen.

Harry, and his nephew Walter (Charles’ son) often provided guide services for the guests.  One guest, Colonel Thornberry was a retired Indian scout. He taught young Walter how to hunt and fish, and how to make and use a bow and arrow like the Indians.  In addition, the Colonel taught Walter about target shooting, which was his hobby.  The Colonel taught Walter well and Walter was an excellent student, in fact, he went on to be a World Champion Sharpshooter and even won an Olympic Gold Medal.

History is the story of our shared pasts.  Sometimes it can sound very cold and distant, but if we look carefully, there is the story of interesting, brave people who often took chances like trying to invent something or like getting on a train and moving hundreds of miles away from everyone you know to take a job as a postmistress in Florida (Rebecca’s grandmother did just that!).  The people like the Stokes & the Hedden’s wrote the history of Clermont one day at a time.

The Clermont Historical Society invites you to come to the Historic Village and take a stroll through Clermont’s history.  The Village is located at 490 West Avenue and is open every Saturday and Sunday form 1:00 to 4:00 PM.  Admission is free, however, a donation of $5.00 per adult is requested.  Our next meeting will be Monday, May 8^th at 6:00 PM with a presentation at 7:00 PM.  The public is always welcome.

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Come to the Clermont Historic Village Monday evening, April 10^th at 7:00 PM to learn about the Heddon-Stokes connection and the history and testing of Heddon Fishing Tackle that occurred right here in Mohawk, Florida.  Heddon & Stokes are pictured above pulling the bass out of a local lake.

“Heddon Fishing Lures and the Jolly Palms” will be presented by Rebecca Stokes Mendoza and Chuck Heddon, grandchildren of WT and Harry at the monthly meeting of the Clermont Historical Society.

The Clermont Historic Village is located at 490 West Avenue just a few short blocks from the downtown shopping district and is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.  A donation of $5.00 per person over 12 is requested to tour the buildings.  In addition to the 1925 train depot where the meeting will be held on the 10^th, the Village is home to two 19th-century homes, the original Cooper Memorial Library, a World War II Quonset hut and several replicas of early Clermont buildings.  All the buildings are open to tour either at your own pace using push buttons in each building or with a tour guide.

If you are interested in the history of Clermont in particular or history in general, why not consider joining the Historical Society?  Annual membership is only $25.00 per person or $35.00 for a couple.  We are always interested in having new people as tour guides and it is not necessary to be a member to be a guide.

Don’t forget, Monday, April 10^th at 7:00 PM for an interesting presentation by two individuals who will be discussing not just fishing but also their family histories.

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by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet

 

Rick Cronin, author and historian, visited the Clermont Historical Village this week to speak about the historic Tavares & Gulf (T&G) Railroad that made its way to Clermont in 1887. A destination that would later become the headquarters for the railroad.

 

The railroad was originally known as the Tavares, Apopka and Gulf Railway Company but was renamed T&G in 1890 when the railroad was sold under foreclosure. At the time of the sale, the company owned three locomotives, three passenger cars, two mail and express cars, and fifty-seven freight cars. The only water tank on the railroad was located in Clermont where there was a complete mechanic’s shop facility as well. The water tank was discontinued when the shop facilities were moved to Tavares sometime between 1910 and 1920.

Over time, the train became known by the locals as the “Tug and Grunt”. A nickname earned by the train’s struggles with Florida sugar sand and shifting railroad tracks. Historians report that frequent train derailments led to long arrival delays and misplaced passengers who would often have to seek alternate travel arrangements. Long-distance travel to destinations such as Tavares or Winter Garden was difficult by car or wagon due to the pine straw roads.

 

Local legend has it that many of the early settlers of Clermont went to the train station to greet arriving passengers who had made their way to Clermont from various locations throughout the state and various parts of the United States. One such legend included Clermont native Oakley Seaver. Seaver was a young boy who visited the train station regularly to greet new visitors. On one such day in the early 1920’s, a train from Tavares would arrive with a family relocating to Clermont from Missouri. The Charles Baker family arrived, including a young girl named Sarah Jane Baker. Sarah Jane and Oakley became instant friends and in 1936 would pledge their wedding vows. The Clermont train station and the T&G were the beginning of many new relationships and business formations in the South Lake Community.

The T&G tracks were taken up in 1967 when a merger took place that absorbed the railway. Clermont residents of that time recall the old telegraph utility poles being dismantled along Lake Minneola Drive. Pallets of glass signal insulators were left along the railroad track path and were free to anyone who wanted them. The railroad track path is now home to the current South Lake Fitness Trail.

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