Angebilt Hotel Skyline Across Beautiful Lake Eola

postmarked January 22, 1954, Orlando, Fla.

arrived 10 P.M. Tuesday night.  Left Newark Airport 6P.M. and was here in 4 hrs.  Did not stop until we reached Orlando.  Some speed Flew 20 thousand feet.  

Do write.  

Love, Marion

Very warm.

Mrs. Frank L Mason

70 Chestnut Street

West Haven, Conn

Hopefully Marion is not on amphetamines, and is talking about her flight.  If you were flying from Orlando to Newark today, the 938 mile journey would take you a little over 2 hours, averaging a flight speed of 434 mph.  So think of how much progress has been made, from jet airliners that fly around 35,000 feet, all to save two lousy hours!

I thought the recipient's name was "Mason," but Google corrected me with the right spelling.  The recipient is Mrs. Frank Nason, and she is a graduate of Wellesley College in 1882, with a Bachelor of Science.  Marion probably knew her best as Thalia Painter.  Frank Nason was a mining engineer, and they had at least one son, Alexis, who died fighting for the Canadians in World War I.  According to his commanding officer, Private Nason was killed while leading his men in the attack on a machine gun post.

American Legion Building, Orlando, Florida, The City Beautiful

postmarked November 7, 1925

November 6, 1925

We reached this city today.  It is dreadful warm here.  They are going without coats.  I have to put my lightweight coat on as soon as I got here.  We have just come from the Phillips Theatre.  It has a musical comedy.  We are staying at the Hotel Satsuma. 

Mother

Mrs. Harry Davie

10 Fort Street

East Norwalk, Conneticut 

The American Legion has had a presence in Orlando since 1919, when Mayor Beardall (who has a senior center named after him) commanded Post 19's formation.  The American Legion has been leasing a building near Trotter's Park off Lee Road for decades, and I can't seem to find any mention of this building still existing in Orlando, which in my opinion is a shame.  

When I read about Mother seeing a musical comedy at the Phillips Theatre in Orlando, I went to the Sandborn Fire Insurance Company Maps from 1919.  (If you don't know what Sandborn maps are, go here.)   The Phillips Theatre was started by Braxton Beacham, who built the Angebilt Hotel and Beacham Theatre, both of which are still standing.  As is the Phillips Theatre.  

Built in 1916 on the rubble of Orlando's first bank, it operated as the Philips Theatre until 1929 when it was renamed the Ritz Theatre.  The Ritz stayed open for five years, eventually becoming the department store W.T. Grants which closed in 1970.  Eventually, the theatre space became Janie Lane's Sunset Strip, and Bar Orlando until 2009, when SAK Comedy Lab returned the space to its musical comedic glory.  

Hows that for history hitting close to home?  All from a small house that may still stand in East Norwalk, Connecticut, one of the state's first colonial settlements.  

Fine Specimen of Palm Trees, Scene in a Florida Garden

New Smyrna, February 6, 1921

New Smyrna, Fla Feb 5^th, 1921

Dear Neighbor,

I was ever so glad to receive this letter from you folks & hope you still keep well.  We sure have had a variety of weather today rain thunder and now bright sunshine.  I have no fire and doors and windows open today.  The church ladies had a 3 days carnival this week and made enough to clear the debt on their field hall. 

Regards to you both. 

Mrs. C. C. Young

Mrs. J E. Milner

Danielson, Conn

#36 Reynolds St.

Yes, a fine specimen of palm trees, indeed, Mrs. Young!