I thought this video was pretty cool. It's a 60 Minutes (the video is 11 minutes) from 1972 filmed shortly after Disney opened its doors.
CBS
CBS
Florida, before Disney
- Thread starter KnighttimeJoe
- Start date
One of the most under covered stories about Floridian history, in my eyes, is that this state went from 19th in total population in 1950 ( behind Indiana! ), and sixty years later was officially 4th ( but moved past New York in the last few years ). A large part due to air conditioning and military bases.
I tend to think of people born in Florida as the real first generation of the state. My mom and grandparents weren't born in this state, and neither were the high majority ( <75 percent ) of the parents of my high school class.
I tend to think of people born in Florida as the real first generation of the state. My mom and grandparents weren't born in this state, and neither were the high majority ( <75 percent ) of the parents of my high school class.
The Orlando mayor, Langford, looks like a classic Disney villian straight out of central booking.
They help keep you from paying state income tax, so I would watch my mouth if I was you.
I wonder how many people know that "Cracker" actually refers to cattle ranchers that were the original cowboys from Florida? They had their ranching land (still do, to a degree) down by Yeehaw Junction up into Central Florida.
They were called crackers because they used a whip on the cattle that made a "crack". Not because they're a bunch of white honkeys.
They were called crackers because they used a whip on the cattle that made a "crack". Not because they're a bunch of white honkeys.
Mayor Langford was quite the character. He ran down the steps of city hall in the 70s in a Superman costume.
He was once at an event where I used to work. By that time he was in his late 80s so my boss suggested I escort him as he walked up a ramp to his seat. I offered my arm and Mayor Langford said, "what, do you think I'm a doddering fool?" and then took my arm anyway. He also out drank everyone that night.
That's more common knowledge than you think
No sir, all of NASA's tourism dollars do that. At least, that is what I choose to believe!!
Maybe. But every time I hear someone order a CC Florida Cracker it comes with a giggle thinking they're drinking a whitey beer.
In fact many of them think that white wheat beer = white honkey, hence the name.
I love these old videos showing the past of Orlando and areas in FL where I grew up and frequently visited. My grandparents used to ride horses around those old orange groves and areas on and around Winter Garden and now Disney property. Talk about FL natives, I'm an FL native and my son is a 4th generation FL native on my dad's side. Not just to FL, but the Orlando area to boot.
There is at least one member of this website who helped build Disney World in the early 70's. He can speak up if he wants to.
Finally got a chance to watch the vid. Awesome. Such good characters Green Belt Swanson dropping "a good many" & the mayor w the pipe.
