New Smyrna Beach via Pine Castle Pioneer Days

 

New Smyrna Beach via Pine Castle Pioneer Days?

Historian Robert Redd to be a History Tent Guest Speaker 

The History Tent by Pine Castle Historical Society

One of our nine guest speakers at this year’s Pine Castle Historical Society History Tent, we are thrilled to announce, will be Historian Robert Redd of Volusia County.

But why, some might question, a Volusia County speaker in Pine Castle, Florida? A question of this nature would be reasonable for those new to our area, or even for one who is not up to par on how Central Florida developed during its earliest years.

Volusia County history, however, should feel right at home here in Pine Castle, in the heart of Orange County - and for a plethora of reasons.

Orange County’s second post office opened 5 June 1845 at New Smyrna, merely three days after the first Orange County post office had opened at Enterprise. Each place is today part of Volusia County, but back in 1845, New Smyrna was a village in the newly established county of Orange, in the newly formed State of Florida. For the next nine years, from 1845 until 1854, Orange County had oceanfront property to offer - but only a handful of settlers dared to venture this far south in the new State.

The 1850 census of Orange County recorded 566 inhabitants, with half of these courageous citizens living east of the St. Johns River in what would become Volusia County in 1854. The remaining 250 plus brave souls lived in what is now Orange, Osceola, Seminole and half of Lake Counties.

J. McRobert Baker (Exhibit 10, Beyond Gatlin: a History of South Orange County by yours truly)

In 1854, State Legislator J. McRobert Baker introduced a Bill to create Volusia from Orange County. Volusia was made official on 29 December 1854. Although a resident of Duval County, J. McRobert Baker was interested in Orange and Sumter County, and he even owned 40 acres at Fort Gatlin – the Pine Castle region of today. (Fort Gatlin is east of and just up the hill from Cypress Grove Park, where the History Tent will be located). 

J. McRobert Baker was also responsible for sneaking a Bill through the legislature making Orlando the County Seat of Orange County in 1857. With Orlando the County Seat, chances of a railroad crossing Baker’s property at Fort Gatlin increased – thereby increasing land values too.

Unfortunately, as I explain in Beyond Gatlin: A History of South Orange County, J. McRobert Baker became a casualty of the Civil War. His involvement with the future of Orange and Volusia Counties ended abruptly, but his accomplishments pre-Civil War endured. Volusia and Orlando exist in their current form largely because of J. McRobert Baker.

Decades later, the Dixie Highway passed through Volusia County, Orlando, and then Pine Castle on its way to all points in South Florida.

Pine Castle circa 1910

Volusia and Orange have a lot of history to share, so plan on attending Robert Redd’s 2 PM presentation on Saturday, 24 February 2024, in the History Tent at Pine Castle Pioneer Days. He will be discussing how postcards of yesteryear can aid in learning about our history, and he will have an assortment of cards to demonstrate just such a claim.

While you are at Pioneer Days, stop by my booth adjacent to the History Tent and say hello. I'll be the fellow who introduces Robert Redd at 2 PM, and you can then find me in my booth nearby. I’m always eager to talk Central Florida history.

Bring your family and tell your friends!

See you at Pioneer Days, February 24 & 25, 2024