Winter Garden-Ocoee

Population: over 40,000
Major employers: Health Central, Roper Growers Cooperative, Heller Brothers, West Oaks Mall

Once sleepy citrus communities, Winter Garden and Ocoee have blossomed into inviting sister communities that capture small-town charm and welcome new residents daily. One of the elements that makes the area so attractive, both to residents and businesses, is the transportation system. The Winter Garden-Ocoee area, located approximately 15 miles east of downtown Orlando, offers easy access to the Orlando International Airport, railroad service through downtown Winter Garden, the convenience of Highway 50, the ease of East-West Expressway, SR 429 (the Western Loop) and the Florida Turnpike. Downtown Winter Garden offers a slice of small town life on "Plant Street" with the redeveloped and renovated stores, restaurants and businesses capturing the charm of old Florida. The community celebrates their history and charm throughout the year with festivals and events, some held in picturesque Newton Park on Lake Apopka such as the 4th of July Celebration.

Ocoee shares the area's small-town flavor reflected at the annual Founder Day, Christmas parade, and craft fairs and youth sports. Residents have restored and preserved historical landmarks such as the Withers - Maquire House and Museum. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy rollerblading, walking and biking the West Orange Trail, a converted old railroad bed that offers miles of natural beauty. Nearby Lake Apopka is the focus of an expansive restoration project, with the efforts underway to regain the lake's fame of earlier days. With Florida's small-town charm intact, the Winter Garden - Ocoee area seems poised and ready for growth. The 1.1. million square foot West Oaks Mall blends retail with entertainment. The area's ultra-modern hospital - Health Central, continues to grow, and today includes a 228-bed nursing home and other offices. Several private assisted living facilities also service the area. Real estate available in the area includes resale homes, lakefront lots, as well as commercial and income property. Ocoee Middle School

102 West McKey Street - This is the first brick building built in Ocoee, constructed for the Bank of Ocoee in 1919 with a capital of $25,000.00. It closed during the depression and later served as a telephone company switchboard, a library, a hardware store, a law office, a post office, and as City Hall. The original bank vault has been converted to a lavatory and storage area.

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Annual Ocoee Founders’ Day Festival

Step back in time. Return to the Age of Victoria. Visit downtown Ocoee during the Annual Ocoee Founders’ Day Festival in October. Stroll or drive through the area with its turn of the century homes bordering brick streets and relive those early days. This area stretches from State Road 50 on the South to Silver Star Road on the North, West to Bowness Road and East to Starke Lake.

Two unique buildings will be open during the festival: the Withers-Maguire House & Museum and the Ocoee Christian Church. They are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Just climbing the front steps of this lovely old Victorian structure onto its expansive veranda will take you back in time. Then upon entering its foyer you will take another step back into the leisurely pace of life in old Florida. The fireplace mantles and the woodwork throughout are of "burl" wood and "heart of pine."