Orlando, Florida 1930s - 1990s Various Images

I was born in Orlando in 1969 and lived within fifteen miles of downtown Orlando from then until 2025. The Orlando I knew as a kid was in the first phase of being transformed from a small city (just one building above fifteen stories,1971's 19-story CNA Tower) to a mid-size city adjoining one of the world's five busiest tourist regions that would reflect character and influences from nearly everywhere.

w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w

Bill Baer Television Store on Mills Avenue c. 1966
Image source: Orange County Regional History Center

w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w

Bill Baer Record Store Ad c. 1970
Image source: Orange County Regional History Center

w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w

Intersection of Interstate 4 and International Drive c. 1979
Image source: Bill Cotter

w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w

A "different" Beefy King location on South Orange Blossom Trail
c. 1968, with the original location still on Bumby Avenue as of 2025
Image source: Orange County Regional History Center

w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w

w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w

w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w y w