Pine Castle Historical Society Publications / Pamphlets
The Pine Castle Historical Society has published three important books with previously unknown information about the history of Central Florida and Pine Castle.
Our first book, Dateline: Pine Castle, Stories of Orange County as Reported by Will Wallace Harney, by Dr. Paul W. Wehr, was published jointly with the Pine Castle Woman’s Club in 2011.
Our second book, From Mosquito to Orange, the Making of a County, 1840-1890, also by Dr. Paul W. Wehr, was published in 2016. This is the earliest history of Orange County, Florida, which had been considered lost when the courthouse burned in 1868. Extensive research has recovered most of the documents and they have been woven into a narrative that includes names, dates, and documents, including the famous Barber-Mizell feud.
Our third book, Will Wallace Harney, Orlando’s First Renaissance Man, by Richard Lee Cronin, was published in 2019. Book signings are held to publicize our books and author Richard Lee Cronin advertises them on his website and Facebook page. It is also available on Amazon.
Please scroll down to see information about each publication.
DATELINE: PINE CASTLE
By: Paul W. Wehr
This outstanding book was written by Dr. Paul W. Wehr, a retired UCF history professor. It is based on articles written by Will Wallace Harney for the Cincinnati Commercial newspaper and leading journals of the day, Harper’s Weekly, Atlantic Monthly, & Lippincotts. Harney’s articles comprise the only ongoing account of Orange County’s important pioneer period. The book is filled with photographs and maps, many of which are in our society archives.
FROM MOSQUITO TO ORANGE – THE MAKING OF A COUNTY
By Paul W. Wehr
This important book was also written by Dr. Paul W. Wehr. It contains information about the early history of Orange County, most of which was thought to be lost when the Orange County Courthouse burned in 1869.
But through years of research Dr. Wehr was able to reconstruct most of this information.
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WILL WALLACE HARNEY: ORLANDO’S FIRST RENAISSANCE MAN
By: Richard Lee Cronin
This book was written for the Pine Castle Historical Society by Central Florida’s most prolific writer, Richard Lee Cronin.
It is both a biography of Will Wallace Harney as well as a history of his illustrious family, which dates back to President Thomas Jefferson, and an accounting of the development of Central Florida. It is also richly illustrated with many photographs and other documents.
FRANCIS WAYLES EPPES
By: Shirley Cannon
This booklet was written by Shirley Cannon for the dedication of a marker honoring the Eppes-Shine families in Greenwood Cemetery. Eppes is a Pine Castle “favorite son” and is noted as a founder of Florida State University and the Cathedral Church of St. Luke Episcopal.
PINE CASTLE 100 YEARS AGO
By: Ruth Grimes Burt
This booklet is based on an account written by Ruth Grimes Burt for the 1920 Orange County Fair. It is also richly illustrated with our photos. Miss Burt spent part of her child- hood in Pine Castle and became a teacher before marrying and moving to her home state of Massachusetts.
Pine Castle Historical Society Pamphlets
Our historical society has also published important pamphlets:
“Frances Wayles Eppes” by Shirley Cannon. Eppes was the favorite grandson of President Thomas Jefferson. The house he built in Orlando still stands.
“Pine Castle 100 Years Ago” by Ruth Grimes (Burt). The pamphlet is based on an article by Ms. Grimes which was written for the 1926 Orange County Fair.
