Page 12 - October 2023 e-Magazine

Remembering When

Patti Kelly

October 2023
Before Disney, Orlando was a military town–
population of about 50,000–hosting McCoy
Air Force Base, which was once known as
Pinecastle Army Airfield. The site is now the
location of Orlando International Airport, with
nearby McCoy Road and an IATA code of
MCO. A B-52 on display sits by the airport.

After Disney, random attractions started popping up
like Circus World in 1974 near Haines City. Actually,
it was on the corner of US 27 and I-4. After Circus
World closed in 1986, a new attraction was built
called Boardwalk and Baseball. That opened in 1987
and closed in 1990. The property sat empty for years
until in 2008 Posner Park was built with a theater and
shopping area. This area is called Davenport.

Gary’s Duck Inn opened in 1945. It was a
famous seafood restaurant in the area that in
1968 served the best fried shrimp platter
you’ll ever eat for $2.00. Located on 441, it
was just off the I-4 exit heading south on the
right side of the road. Although it was a long
trip from Maitland, with I-4 not being available
the whole way, we ate there often. A guy
named Bill Darden and his partner bought the
restaurant in 1963. They liked it so much they
knew it would be a hit if they took it national,
so they did and changed the name. They
opened the first Red Lobster in 1968 and the
rest is history.

Speaking of I-4, in 1965 the interstate
only ran from Rio Grande to Lee
Road. So, I grew up learning how to get
anywhere without using I-4.

Last but not least, our own Maynard
Bandy is a lifelong resident of Central
Florida. Do you know where The Car
Bar is on Orange Avenue? Look it up
because for many years, the house that
Maynard was born in sat on that
property.

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