Once Upon a Time Archives

All Arrivals and Departures Art and Culture Buildings and Development Cities and Districts Civics and Participation Crime Events Featured Food & Drink Guest Column History Job Alert MAP Neighborhood Watch News People Pets and Animals Photographers/Photo Galleries Public Space Quality of Life Real Estate Retail Road Trip Roads and Infrastructure Schools Shine Radio SPONSORED Sports Technology That's Some Florida Shit The Environment The Sweet Tea/Editorial Transportation Uncategorized VIDEO

Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time ... Before the Disney Amphitheater, two women designed a Prairie School bandstand in Lake Eola

Brendan O'Connor

Published Oct 6, 2026 | 5:12 PM EDT | Updated 4 hours ago

Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time … a mansion was built by chewing gum in Audubon Park

A 24-room mansion in Audubon Park was built by the son of the man who invented Beeman’s Pepsin Gum. Lester Beeman constructed the three-story estate...

By Brendan O'Connor

Feb 23

Once Upon a Time

Once Upon A Time: A Citrus Wizard in DeLand helped to create a frost-resistant orange tree

“Once Upon a Time” is a column that journeys back through Central Florida’s past to uncover overlooked, surprising, and downright remarkable moments that deserve to...

By Brendan O'Connor

Sep 7

Once Upon a Time

Once Upon A Time: Orlando used to be called “Jernigan”

Before Orlando became the bustling economic hub of Central Florida, it was a vast, untamed wilderness of pine forests, swamps, open prairies, gopher tortoises, and...

By Brendan O'Connor

Aug 14

Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time: A buffalo named Barney died while on the lam in downtown Orlando

“Once Upon a Time” is a new column that journeys back through Central Florida’s past to uncover overlooked, surprising, and downright remarkable moments that deserve...

By Brendan O'Connor

Aug 5