Orlando Real Estate Blog - Central Florida Historical Information

Orlando, Florida: Living and Playing in America’s #1 Affordable Staycation Destination

Why Was Orlando Ranked the Best U.S. City for a Staycation?

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

This is no surprise to locals of the Orlando area. There are so many reasons why people call Orlando home, and truth be told, it's pretty cool to live in one of the top vacation destinations in the world. So, when we read that Orlando has been named the #1 Best Cities for a Staycation, we nodded along in agreement. WalletHub's study analyzed more than 180 U.S. Cities, looking at over 40 indicators of real lifestyle factors, including recreation, food & entertainment, and rest & relaxation. Let's take a deeper dive into what locals already know: that living in Orlando means the vacation feeling doesn't have to wait for…

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Clermont, Florida’s Citrus Tower Turns 70

A Look Back at the Landmark’s History and the Orange Crush Anniversary Event

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

What is the Citrus Tower 70th Anniversary Event?

The iconic Citrus Tower in Clermont, Florida, is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a community celebration called Orange Crush. This free event will be held on Sunday, June 14th, from 10am - 4pm at the Citrus Tower located at 141 N Hwy 27 in Clermont. The day will be filled with free rides to the top of the tower, local food vendors, live entertainment, kids' activities, and so much more.

A brief History of the Citrus Tower in Clermont, Florida

Before the more recent growth, Clermont was known for its rolling hills, rural living, and, of…

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Why Windermere, Florida Feels Like a Town Built to Be Outdoors

The history behind Windermere’s parks, paths, and lake access

Blog Author: Jeffrey Funk | Co-Founder, The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty | ICON Agent

Windermere, Florida, is often described as a small lake town in Central Florida. That part is true. Much of daily life here quietly revolves around parks, paths, courts, and water access, and that has been the case for a long time

Long before Windermere became a place people actively searched for when planning a move, parks and recreation were already part of the town’s thinking. Not as extras. Not as leftover land. As part of how the town worked.

Parks Showed Up Early, Not After Growth

Fernwood Park was formally designated in 1920, when Windermere was still very small. By the…

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5 Things You May Not Have Known About Windermere’s Town Hall

More Than a Landmark in Windermere

Blog Author: Jeffrey Funk | Co-Founder, The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty | ICON Agent

It sits right in the heart of downtown Windermere. You've likely driven or walked past it once or a hundred times and it still anchors the town. Windermere’s Town Hall has that effect. Familiar, steady, quietly central.

It’s the kind of building that feels like it has always been there. Which is true. But not in the way most people assume.

What’s easy to miss is how much history is layered into that single structure. Not in a dusty, behind-glass way. In a lived-in, still-in-use way. The kind of history that keeps showing up because it never really left.

Here are five things that tend to surprise even people…

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Windermere Then and Now: Homes, Land, and the Town That Grew With Them

How Windermere Quietly Became What It Is today

Blog Author: Jeffrey Funk | Co-Founder, The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty | ICON Agent

It’s a little like driving past the house where childhood memories were made. The street feels familiar, but things look different. Bigger. Fuller. More layered.

Looking back at Windermere’s early days brings that same feeling and raises a simple question worth asking:

What did real estate here actually look like in the beginning?

A Town Before the Town

In the late 1800s, Windermere was barely a village. Fewer than 100 people lived here, and the railroad had only just arrived. There were no subdivisions, no tidy blocks of homes, and no clear sense yet of what the town might become.

Land…

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A Conversation With Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn That Still Rings True 7 Years Later

A time-capsule conversation that highlights Windermere’s small-town charm, local history, and enduring sense of community

Blog Author: Jeffrey Funk | Co-Founder, The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty | ICON Agent

In the fall of 2018, Jeff sat down with former Mayor Gary Bruhn for a conversation about the community they both proudly call home. It felt like a casual chat at the time. Today, on the heels of Windermere’s Centennial, it reads like a snapshot of a town that has evolved without losing the character that makes it unmistakably Windermere.

Seven years after that interview, Windermere continues to honor its roots while moving intentionally into its next chapter. The names and buildings have shifted, but the spirit is the same.

…

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Windermere Celebrates 100 Years: A Centennial To Remember

2025 marks a significant historical milestone for Windermere, Florida—its Centennial celebration! Over the course of the year, the community will honor its 100-year journey with special touches that highlight its unique charm, history, and community spirit.

Festive Updates Across Downtown

Downtown Windermere is ready to dazzle with:

• Centennial Banners: New flags now line the streets, adding a cheerful and celebratory vibe to the town’s heart.
• New Entry Signs: The town’s entryways have been updated with commemorative Centennial signs, welcoming everyone to this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

These thoughtful touches remind residents and visitors alike of the rich history that makes Windermere so special.

The Centennial Lobby: A…

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Trading Roller Coaster Tracks for Nature Trails: Central Florida 5 State Parks Guide

While Central Florida may be known as a mecca for some of the top theme parks in the world, did you know that there are 5 Florida State Parks within about an hour of Orlando? Perfect for a weekend adventure, these state parks offer a range of nature, history and exploration. From miles of trails to sparkling lakes and springs, these parks offer something for every member of the family.

Pro Tip: Grab a Florida State Parks Annual Pass to have unlimited park entrance access across the state. In 2024, the rates are $60 per person for an Individual Pass and $120 for the Family Pass (defined as day-use park entry for up to a total of 8 people entering as a group)*. For purchase details and any restrictions, please visit the Florida State Park website. 

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Windermere September 11th Memorial

Quietly resting behind the Windermere Town Hall Building, you will find the Windermere September 11th Memorial. Standing 8 feet tall, the 650 pound piece of steel was cut from an actual structural beam of the World Trade Center.

Ninety hand-painted, glazed ceramic tiles border the black granite memorial. The tiles commemorate each of the 90 countries that lost innocent citizens in the attacks of the Twin Towers. Each tile was hand painted by Eagle Scouts across the Central Florida area. 

The September 11th Memorial peacefully honors the loss of nearly 3,000 brave men and women; including the many fire rescue, police, and first responders who risked their lives while helping other victims.

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Historic 1890 Windermere School House

The historic 1890 Windermere Schoolhouse, located at 113 West Seventh Avenue,  Windermere, FL in the 34786 zip code, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. Also known as the Armstrong Parramore House, the schoolhouse was built in 1890, renovated around the year 2000, and is the oldest historical site in Windermere.

The building served the community as a schoolhouse until 1916. The structure was also utilized as a community center, holding social and religious events, as well as a voting center and meeting place for the Town of Windermere Woman's Club.

In 1995, the schoolhouse structure and land was donated to the Town of Windermere by Manuel "Perry" & Eunice Armstong Parramore. Today, the schoolhouse remains situated on the…

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