published: Friday, October 09, 2009

Remember When

Ann Dupee

Correspondent

-- The South Lake Press celebrated its 80th birthday in 1993. The front page of the special edition was a copy of the first page of the first edition of its forerunner, the Clermont Clarion, on Thursday, Dec. 18. 1913. The offices were located in a small wooden building at 713 Montrose Street.

A Greeting on the front page from the publisher/owner, W. E. Rorabaugh, said, "Yes, we knew you would be glad to see us. You have heard so many varied reports as to the time of our arrival that it would not have been surprising if you had doubted our ever appearing. But here we are - and we will come again every week.

"If you are glad we are here, you should thank the proper persons, our advertisers, for our existence. A few months ago when our having a newspaper was suggested, many told us that it was out of the question, 'town is too small,' 'not enough advertisers,' etc., but here we are - you will see by looking through our columns that at least the last objection mentioned above is not true.

"In nearly every instance a little while spent talking the matter over with one of our merchants or tradesmen resulted in the securing of an advertisement.

"As to the size of the town, if we look at our possibilities, we are as large as any other town in Central Florida.

"Only the other day I heard a man say, (and he was posted in the town building), that if Clermont had made known her natural beauty, she could easily have been as large as Orlando. People want to know of the most beautiful spot on earth, and surely we have it here. Where can one go to find prettier lakes, balmier air and a more healthful locality.

"If Clermont is not now large enough to support a newspaper it is undoubtedly your own fault. Do not let it be said in the future that you have again failed to do your duty. Let us all put our shoulders to the wheel and make of Clermont a city of which we can be justly proud."

Subscription price was $1.25 per year.

The lead story was datelined New York. "We are international trustees of the prosperity we have and the power we enjoy, and we are duty bound to use them when it is both civil and proper to help our neighbors," declared former President William H. Taft in a lecture before the New York Peace Society on the Monroe doctrine, which, he held, should be continued in full force, despite the hostility to it in some quarters.

Local news on the front page included Montverde, Minneola and Groveland. Montverde Academy was then known as Montverde Industrial School.

From Florence, Italy, came the news that "Mona Lisa," Leonardo Da Vinci's great painting, which was stolen from the Louvre in Paris more than two years ago, has been found.

Seventy-three car loads of grapefruit and oranges were shipped out from the packing houses of Orlando during one week, 50 going by the Atlantic Coast Line and 23 by way of the Seaboard route. It has only been a short time since the shipping season opened, yet during that period there have gone out from this place 300 carloads, 200 of this number being carried by the A.C.L. and 100 by the S.A.L. There was a lull in shipments when prices took a drop, owing to the warm weather.

During the warm weather packers prefer iced cars, as it insures the fruit arriving in better condition, but owing to a scarcity of ice, the railroad officials have been handicapped.

Advertisements appeared down the right two columns of the front page.

-- The Clermont Inn was pictured. D. A. Field, Proprietor, under new management, just lately rebuilt. Private gas plant. Rates" $2 per day.

-- Make your vacation a pleasure by owning a "Mullins." Mullins pressed steel launches are the very thing for fishing and pleasure, light and durable, equipped with Ferro engine and silent underwater exhaust. For sale by Carl L. Kindred.

-- Clermont Auto & Machine Co. Automobile, Launches and General Machine repairing. Automobile supplies. Call us by Phone. All work guaranteed.

-- Clermont Ice Co. Crystal ice made from distilled water. Cold storage room. At your service.

-- Notice! Ladies and Gentlemen. Why wear soiled and wrinkled clothes when the barber, R. P. Seaver, (Oakley's father) can press them so well, and at such reasonable prices. Pressing rooms at rear of the barber shop. Prices on application.

-- No telephone numbers or addresses were given, presumably because all businesses and tradespeople were located in downtown Clermont on, or in, the vicinity of Montrose Street.

-- The Clermont Clarion later became the Clermont Press and Groveland Press and in November, 1961, became the South Lake Press.

-- "Clermont: Who Could Ask For More!"(Words and music by Carolyn Lewis Prowse)

By sparkling waters of a sunny cove

Stretches a fragrant orange grove

Nearby we settle down

In lovely Clermont town

Down on its southern lakeside shore

Beneath majestic giant, spreading trees

We live an active life with ease

Places for work or fun

Beneath a shining sun

Who could ask for more!

Who could ask for more!

Than this "Gem of the Hills!"