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Once Upon a Time

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

Brendan O'Connor

Published Feb 23, 2026 | 11:05 AM EST | Updated 5 months ago

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