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Welcome to The Orlando Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Orlando police chief defends downtown safety.

• Orlando Magic sign Franz Wagner, Caldwell-Pope.

• A deep-dive into the life of Hamilton Disston.

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“Don’t count the days. Make the days count.”

—Muhammad Ali

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Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

Orlando's 'Lake Eola Fountain' is known by what official name, symbolizing the city's commitment to the arts?

A) The Fountain of Nations

B) The Centennial Fountain

C) The Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain

D) The Orlando Friendship Fountain

Answer to Last Week's Trivia:

The historic house in Orlando, now a museum, offering insights into the lifestyle of a citrus magnate in the early 1900s, is B) The Harry P. Leu Gardens.

News

💼 Business

Orlando police chief defends downtown safety efforts amid business backlash. (link)

Universal Orlando shares details about Epic Universe tickets. (link)

🏒 Sports

Orlando Magic sign Franz Wagner, Caldwell-Pope and more following week of negotiations. (link)

Jonathan Isaac agrees to $84 million deal with Magic. (link)

🏦 Finance

Changes coming to Hourglass District townhome project in Orlando. (link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

🏀 Core Sports Academy Basketball Summer Camp
2500 S Mills Ave, Orlando, FL
Monday, Jul 15th | time varies | (More Info)

⚽ 11v11 Pick-up Soccer
1200 Saxon Blvd, Deltona, FL
Monday, Jul 15th | 6:30 pm | (More Info)

Music & Concerts

🎶 Kaleigh Baker
Lil' Indies 1036 N Mills Avenue Orlando, FL
Monday, Jul 15th | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | (More Info)

🎤  Nesto's Jazz Trio
Lil' Indies 1036 N Mills Avenue Orlando, FL
Wednesday, Jul 17th10:00 PM | (More Info)

Family

🧑‍🎓 43rd Annual Juried Student Exhibition
600 St Andrews Blvd, Winter Park, FL
Monday, Jul 15th | 9:00 am | (More Info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Metropolis of Orlando with a massive central AI-controlled hub” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

Orlando Historical Events

Hurricane Donna (1960) - The impact on Orlando and central Florida.

Hurricane Donna, one of the most powerful and memorable storms of the 20th century, made significant impacts across the state of Florida in 1960. Although the most catastrophic effects were felt in the Florida Keys and southwest Florida where Donna made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, its impact was also strongly felt in Orlando and throughout central Florida. As Donna moved across the peninsula, it brought with it a swath of destruction characterized by heavy rainfall, strong winds, and widespread flooding, affecting homes, businesses, and agricultural areas.

In Orlando and the surrounding central Florida region, the hurricane's force was less devastating compared to the coastal areas but still considerably impactful. The city experienced substantial rainfall, leading to flooding in several areas, which in turn caused damage to infrastructure and residential properties. Power outages were widespread, leaving many without electricity for extended periods. The agricultural sector, a cornerstone of central Florida's economy at the time, suffered significantly as crops were damaged or entirely destroyed by the storm's fury, leading to financial losses for farmers and an impact on the local economy.

Despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Donna, the community's response highlighted the resilience and solidarity among the residents of Orlando and central Florida. Recovery efforts began promptly, with local authorities, volunteers, and support from the state and federal government working together to repair and rebuild the affected areas. The hurricane underscored the importance of preparedness and the need for robust infrastructure to withstand such natural disasters. Over time, the experience of dealing with Hurricane Donna has contributed to improving disaster response mechanisms and preparedness strategies in Orlando and across Florida, making the community stronger and better equipped to face future hurricanes.

Famous People From Orlando

Hamilton Disston (1844-1896) - Businessman whose land purchases and development efforts in the late 19th century affected the growth of Central Florida, including Orlando.

Hamilton Disston, a Philadelphia-born businessman, played a pivotal role in the development and growth of Central Florida, leaving a lasting impact on cities like Orlando. His vision and investments in late 19th century Florida were instrumental in transforming the state’s landscape and economy.

Early Life and Entrance into Business (1844-1870)

Hamilton Disston was born into a family known for their successful saw manufacturing business, Disston & Sons. Growing up around the family's enterprise, he learned the ropes of business and manufacturing at an early age. By his early twenties, Disston was ready to make his own mark in the business world, leveraging the knowledge and skills he’d acquired.

Expansion of Family Business (1871-1878)

Under Hamilton Disston's guidance, Disston & Sons expanded significantly. He introduced innovative production techniques and expanded the product line, solidifying the company's reputation as the premier manufacturer of saws in the United States. This period of growth laid the financial foundation that Disston would later use to venture into land development in Florida.

The Great Florida Purchase (1881)

In 1881, Disston made a historic land purchase from the state of Florida, acquiring over 4 million acres of land at 25 cents per acre. This bold move was part of a deal to drain and develop the land, which not only saved Florida from bankruptcy but was also the single largest private land purchase in the United States at the time. This acquisition marked the beginning of Disston's extensive involvement in Florida's development.

Drainage and Development of Central Florida (1881-1890)

Disston embarked on ambitious projects to drain the swamps of Central Florida, making the land suitable for agriculture and settlement. His efforts led to the reclamation of a significant amount of land, boosting Florida's economy by attracting investors and settlers. Through development companies, Disston initiated the construction of canals and infrastructure, laying the groundwork for the future growth of regions like Orlando.

Connection to Orlando (Late 1880s)

Hamilton Disston’s vision extended to the area that would become Orlando. By investing in the infrastructure and promotion of this previously sleepy region, he played a key role in its development. Disston's influence and financial investment in Orlando helped to transform it into a burgeoning city, attracting settlers and contributing to its growth in the late 19th century.

Economic Impacts and Setbacks (1890-1896)

The initial success of Disston's ventures in Florida spurred economic growth in the region, but by the early 1890s, challenges arose. Setbacks in the drainage projects and an economic depression reduced the value of Disston’s investments significantly. Despite these challenges, the imprint of his early achievements remained undiminished in the long-term development of Central Florida.

Final Years and Legacy (1895-1896)

Towards the end of his life, Disston faced financial difficulties, exacerbated by a nationwide economic downturn. He passed away in 1896, but his vision and the scale of his investments in Florida had already set the stage for the state’s future development. Disston is remembered as a visionary entrepreneur whose land dealings and development projects had a profound effect on Florida's growth, particularly in Central Florida and Orlando.

Key Achievements of Hamilton Disston:

• Secured over 4 million acres of land in Florida, the largest private land purchase in the United States at the time, known as "The Great Florida Purchase."

• Implemented ambitious drainage projects that transformed swamps into arable land, significantly influencing Central Florida’s development.

• Played a crucial role in saving the state of Florida from bankruptcy through his land purchase and development efforts.

• Contributed to the growth and infrastructure development of Orlando, positioning it for future prosperity.

Hamilton Disston’s involvement in Florida's development during the late 19th century showcased his entrepreneurial spirit and vision for the state's potential. Through "The Great Florida Purchase," his drainage and land development projects, and his significant impact on the growth of cities like Orlando, Disston's legacy is marked by his remarkable contributions to Florida's transformation. His life underscores the profound effect one individual's ambition and investment can have on the development and economic trajectory of an entire region.

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I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

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