From big oranges to bears, readers recall roadside gems
A recent Flashback about examples of Central Florida’s past and present programmatic or novelty architecture inspired readers to share some great memories.
This phenomenon has also been called mimetic architecture — a building’s design mimicked its function or a product associated with the building. For example, a hot-dog stand might look like a giant hot dog. We’ve had some great examples in Florida; thanks to the readers who shared their roadside favorites. Here’s a sample.
Twinkling sprinkles
“The recent “Flashback” on mimetic architecture made me think of the ever-more numerous Twistee Treat ice cream stands around Orlando. We love the newer ones with tiny lights on top that look like sprinkles.” — John and Chris Robinson, Poinciana
Big citrus on Lee Road
“Reading about fun Florida architecture reminded me of the large oranges and grapefruit that for many years were beside Lee Road, on the northwest corner of what is now Interstate 4. (I don’t recall whether or not they were there before the interstate.)
“When I was a kid, whenever we drove past these huge citrus fruits, I knew we were going out of town — or at least to Forest City.
I have heard that pilots looked for them because they were easy to spot from the air; they let the pilots know exactly where they were. I never measured them or stood beside them, but I think they must have been 10 feet tall.
“I also remember that there used to be a large orange beside Lake Ivanhoe in the traffic island where North Orange and North Magnolia avenues cross. A Statue of Liberty now stands on that spot.” — Les Hess
Diner survivor, mystery bears
“I grew up in Maitland (we moved here in 1962), and I remember when it was all dirt roads and the wonderful fragrant orange blossoms filled the air in the spring. Now I have to buy orange-blossom perfume to satisfy that memory!
“Some iconic roadside signs for me include the one for Kappy’s Subs in Maitland. I grew up on Gamewell Avenue, the street right behind Kappy’s, and I remember sitting with my dad at the counter talking to Mr. Kappy when the shop first opened in 1968.
“The grand opening included hot dogs and hamburgers for a quarter! Dad passed away shortly after that, and I still visit there and sit at the counter in his memory.
“Recently, I drove past the former Bill Baer building on North Mills Avenue in Orlando (kind of across from the Track Shack), and I was wondering about the intricate bearthemed tile work and how that came to be.”
— Kathy Bowman
Note: Kathy Bowman’s question about the tile mosaics on the building at 1033-1035 N. Mills Ave. brought a great reminder of how easy it is to drive past interesting survivors from the past and not really notice them.
At least, that’s what I’ve been doing in the case of the two tile murals there that date from the days when the spot, now home to Bill Bennett Boot Camps, was one of Bill Baer’s television and stereo stores.
Born in 1915, Baer grew up in Ohio and first arrived in Orlando in 1944 as part of the Civilian Public Service program, his 2002 obituary noted (Baer died in Tallahassee at age 86).
In 1945, Baer purchased half interest in a radio store and over the years built a business with four stores in Orlando, Winter Park, and Altamonte Springs, as well as departments in stores that his business leased in Sarasota, Bradenton, Tampa, Fort Myers and St. Petersburg.
His trademark bears included a giant sign that once stood on the roof of the Mills Avenue building and several seriously large examples of taxidermy that were once on display in his stores.
The Baer family of bears included Baerthoven and Schubaert, two 9-foot polar bears now on display at the Orange County Regional History Center.