OCOEE

Before it became a city in May 1925, Ocoee originally started as a small agricultural settlement supported by bustling local citrus and vegetable industries.

The township of 820 residents first was settled adjacent to Starke Lake — southeast of Lake Apopka — in the mid-1800s.

Ocoee was the name of a subdivision platted by Dr. H.K. Clarke, Charles J. Chunn and R.B.F. Roper, who created the Town of Ocoee subdivision in 1886; it was named after a river in Tennessee. The word “Ocoee” means “apricot vine” in the Cherokee language, and it’s why the city utilizes the passion flower in its logo.

It was also during that time the first school was established in the city. In 1880, a three-sided hut was located on Floral Street — which would later be replaced twice — and Mrs. E D. Perkins was its first teacher.

As tracks were laid and completed for the Florida Midland Railroad in the 1880s, the town boomed with rapid growth as settlers moved in to take advantage of the available farmland, and the area bustled as more lucrative citrus groves replaced other crops to become the money crop.

Along with the growth came success of a strong and vibrant black community, which came to prosper in the area. Unfortunately, that growth — along with the passing of the Reconstruction Amendments — was met with animosity, and on Election Day 1920, white mobs murdered an unknown number of black residents — including July Perry — and burn the community to the ground. After 1926, there was no recorded black person residing in Ocoee until at least the mid- to late-1970s.

Since those tragic days, a lot has changed in Ocoee, as it has acknowledged its dark past and continually seeks to make the city a better place for everyone. The city commission — and the city government in general — now includes more diversity than ever, and growth can be seen everywhere; including in the new City Hall currently under construction.

SPRING Ocoee Easter Eggstravaganza. Children in Ocoee enjoy an egg hunt, exciting games, crafts and an appearance by the Easter Bunny each year. In 2021, the city also hosted a glow-in-thedark egg hunt. Takes place at Jim Beech Recreation Center, 1820 A.D. Mims Road, Ocoee.

FALL City of Ocoee Haunted House. Each year, the city of Ocoee puts together its own themed haunted house — 951 Ocoee Apopka Road, Ocoee — complete with a haunted walk and activities for children.

The Asylum Haunted Hospital. Hosted by the Ocoee Lions Club, The Asylum Haunted Hospital — 108 Taylor St., Ocoee — features various characters and scares to thrill attendees. The club also hosts “no scare” times and offers free face painting for children.

WINTER City of Ocoee Christmas Parade. Kick off the holiday season with a jolly parade through Ocoee. Local organizations, clubs, bands and businesses come together for some spirited fun. Route may vary.

n Ocoee City Hall: 50 N Lakeshore Drive, (407) 905-3109 n Cable/internet: Spectrum, (407) 291-2500; DIRECTV, (866) 906-2621; DISH, (844) 306-7067; AT&T, (866) 817-0776; CenturyLink, (877) 862-9343; EarthLink, (844) 903-3107 n Power/electric: Duke Energy, (800) 700-8744 n Fire: City of Ocoee Fire/ Rescue, (407) 905-3129 n Police: Ocoee Police Department,(407) 905-3160 n Solid waste: (407) 9053170 n Utilities (water, sewer): (407) 905-3159 Ocoee is a great place to call home — whether you just moved here or have lived here for years. We are a community of caring neighbors with whom we meet up in our parks, shopping in the grocery stores or walking in our neighborhoods.

Our 50,000 residents and I welcome you to the community. We have churches representing many faiths, a community of many cultures and wonderful schools to educate our children. Our recreational activities include parks with sporting activities, a community pool and our newest addition, a dog park. All of these activities lend us to the feeling of small-town living.

Ocoee is centrally located, giving us the opportunity to easily travel most anywhere in Florida with four major highways converging in the city. The beaches, whether east or west, are no more than a short drive away. Theme parks are almost in our backyard, along with a variety of restaurants close to home. It’s important to live local and support our local businesses.

Starke Lake is a crown jewel in Ocoee, along with the recently renovated Lakeshore Center and Bill Breeze Park. A sunset over Starke Lake is stunning. Check out the historic Withers-Maguire House, which overlooks Starke Lake. Across the street will be your new City Hall, which is currently under construction.

– COMMISSIONER ROSEMARY WILSEN

Mayor Rusty Johnson Prior to his election as mayor, Johnson was District 3 commissioner from 1999 to 2015 and District 1 commissioner from 1986 to 1997. Johnson is currently employed by Gosselin Realty. He is retired from the U.S. Postal Service, where he served with the Ocoee Post Office for many years. Johnson served in the U.S. Army and is a Vietnam veteran.

District 1 Commissioner Larry Brinson Sr. A retired/disabled veteran, Commissioner Larry Brinson Sr. served more than 20 years in the U.S. Marines. Currently, Brinson works for the Orlando Police Department. Brinson sees himself as “semi-retired” — with an emphasis on “semi” — because there is always something to do.

Mayor Pro-Tem, District 2 Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen Wilsen has served on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Spring Fling Committee and Ocoee Merit Board. Wilsen graduated from the Citizens Police Academy, the Ocoee Community Emergency Response Team training and is a former member of the Ocoee Education Committee.

District 3 Commissioner Richard Firstner Richard Firstner lives in Wesmere and has been involved in the city of Ocoee for the past 20 years. Firstner retired as fire chief for the city of Ocoee in 2009, after 14 years of service to the community.

District 4 Commissioner George Oliver III George Oliver has served in a variety of roles in and around the city. Among the list of accomplishments includes becoming the first black commissioner in the city’s history, partnering with Orange County to bring the Health Community Program to the city of Ocoee and establishing the city’s first youth council.

n Capt. Bluford M. Sims, a native of Tennessee who served in the Confederacy. Sims purchased a tract of land from Dr. J. D. Starke and established the first citrus nursery in the United States.

n James D. Starke moved to the Ocoee area around 1850 with 23 enslaved black people and established citrus groves between what is now known as Starke Lake and Apopka.

n Dr. H.K. Clarke, Charles J. Chunn and R.B.F. Roper created the Town of Ocoee subdivision in 1886.

n William Blakely arrived in Ocoee in 1881. He soon became school principal and teacher. He was also postmaster and Justice of the Peace. In 1913, he bought a home on West Oakland Avenue and converted one of the rooms into a library, which he allowed the community to use. Blakely devoted more than 50 years to teaching, running a general store, and promoting Ocoee as a desirable place to live.