WILKS - A Short Avenue Long on History - Part One

Part One: THE SON

631 Wilks Avenue - the address of Pine Castle Historical Society, is where you will see a 1940 “farm residence” dubbed the “White House”. The origins of South Orange County can now be found in this dwelling, for it is here that society members strive to preserve the early history of their community. My next few posts however will not be about the structures found at 631 Wilks Avenue. Instead, I want to explore the story of “Wilks Avenue” itself. It is purely coincidental therefore that I begin this series of posts in the year 1940.

In faraway Chicago, Illinois of 1940, a young man 27 years of age, describing himself as 6’ 2” in height and weighing 160 pounds, of light complexion with gray eyes and brown hair, registered with his Chicago, Illinois draft board. Like most young Americans throughout the land during those troubling days prior to our country’s involvement in World War II, this young Chicagoan took time off from his job at E. J. Brach Candy Company to register for the draft.

The information provided on his registration provides an intriguing new twist to the fascinating story of South Orange County, Florida. Although living in Chicago that year, Wallace Harney Wilkes gave his date of birth as December 11, 1913, and gave his place of birth as “Pine Castle, Florida.” Intriguing, right? I think so, and I’m just now getting started!

Part Two of my series will appear tomorrow, but during the interim – why not take a moment to mark your calendar for Saturday, November 30, 2019. The Pine Castle Historical Society will open its doors at 631 Wilks Avenue – not Wilkes - from 10 AM until 3 PM, where you can pick up holiday gifts – including a signed copy of “Will Wallace Harney, Orlando’s First Renaissance Man”.

Forget Black Friday, shop Small Business Saturday and take part in preserving central Florida history.

Now that you’ve marked your calendar, make another note to return here tomorrow for Part Two of “Wilks – A Short Avenue Long on History.”

Follow @Citruslandfl to catch my upcoming Christmas series: “12 Days of a Central Florida Christmas.” A new twist on a Holiday Classic, ta daily feature will begin Friday, November 29, 2019 and run thru Tuesday, December 12, 2019.