published: Friday, June 05, 2009

Remember When

Clermont celebrated its centennial in 1984. As Editor of the South Lake Press and Publicity Chairman for the Centennial Commission, I called the publisher of the Times-Journal in Vineland, New Jersey and asked him if he knew of the important relationship between Vineland and Clermont, Florida. He said no, but thought he was about to find out!

After learning that prominent businessmen from Vineland, headed by William House, had founded and laid out Clermont proper, he dispatched reporter Melinda Reinke, who spent three days in Clermont attending Centennial events and sending stories and pictures back to Vineland.

20 Years Ago - 1989

One of Clermont's more ancient landmarks, which had been moved from 8th and Osceola Street in Clermont to one-half mile north of Minneola in September of 1966, burned to the ground May 9. This was the original depot of the Tavares and Gulf Railroad, affectionately known locally as the "Tug and Grunt."

Seven units and 16 fire personnel were on the scene. Damage was estimated at $25,000. The fire is believed to have started on the north end and there was speculation a transient in the empty building might have started it.

The depot was purchased and moved to Minneola by Mr. and Mrs. Milton Sommer, where they operated Sommer Groves and Gardens until five years ago. When the structure was moved it was sawed into two sections and rejoined. In its heyday the depot and railroad supplied much of the transportation for citrus packinghouses, lumberyards, fertilizer and ice plants and many other necessities for the area.

Retired Lt. Col. Glenn Y. Middleton died May 14 at South Lake Hospital. Born in 1913 in Pontiac, IL, he came to Clermont as a 3-month-old infant and continued to spend winters here with his family until he graduated from high school.

He attended the Universities of Illinois and Southern California, where he taught electronics and courses in radio and television. He then spent 38 years in the U.S. Army, where he was an aide to General Hartle in World War I. He worked at the Columbia Broadcasting System in Hollywood, California from 1939 to 1953 as an executive producer and director in the radio business. He was recognized for his work as producer of the Amos 'N Andy Radio Show.

In 1953 he moved to Clermont to join his brother Jonathan, as a building contractor and continued with business until 1977. He served on Clermont City Council and Lake County Commission, was a charter member and deacon of South Lake Presbyterian Church and member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, South Lake Kiwanis, American Legion and Elks Lodge 1848.

He is survived by wife, Millie Milton Middleton, daughters Glenna, Tiffany, Natalie and Phoebe and other family members.

The Florida Department of Commerce reported Florida hosted an estimated 3.5 million visitors during February 1989, an 8.4% increase compared to the last month in 1988. The visitor total for the month included 1.6 million auto travelers and 1.9 million air travelers.

DOT also reported Florida will pass a statistical milestone by hosting 40 million visitors in 1989, with 42 million estimated to come in 1990, a 5.7% increase over the new 1989 estimate.