History of Avon Park Activities Center

HISTORY OF AVON PARK SENIOR ACTIVITIES CENTER 109 E. MAIN STREET, AVON PARK, FL 33825

The city of Avon Park, FL has grown from a wilderness to a warm haven for people from all over the world. Four million acres were purchased in 1880 at 25 cents per acre. Oliver Crosby bought several tracts of land for $2.50 per acre in 1886 and started selling house lots. William King and his wife are said to be the first settlers. They came from Stratford on Avon in England, thus the name of the new settlement – Avon Park.

In 1929 the depression hit and slowed things down a bit, but then shortly afterwards Avon Park really took off. People started pouring in. In 1935 the Chamber of Commerce officially recognized the many winter guests by recommending in their behalf to the City Council, that it was in the best interest of the city to provide its visitors with something more than just park benches for more pleasure out of their stay. Possibly a building where they could meet and play cards, etc.

The next year, 1936, the Chamber of Commerce had a meeting and the Winter Guest Club was formed. The name has changed about three times and is now Avon Park Senior Activities Center. It’s no longer just for winter guests. Anyone in town can join.

In 1937 the club house was started by joining a wing of the old armory and the clubhouse from Head Field. These buildings were moved to Donaldson Park on Lake Verona. A kitchen was added by club members. Also a card room was added (now the office and computer room). The club also bought forty folding chairs for $1.50 each.

In 1942 World War II started and kept Avon Park from possible collapse. The only good thing about a war. Population changed from around 3,000 to 5,000. Bank deposits gained 500%. The Winter Guest Club was then also used as a recreation center for the soldiers stationed in the area.

In 1952 Charles S. Donaldson died at the age of 84. He was founder of the Mall and started the Highlands State Park development. He served twice as Mayor, and Donaldson Park was named after him. In 1952, two shuffleboard courts were added - making a total of five. In 1954-55 the membership was over 600. The price of membership had now doubled from $1.00 to $2.00. Two more shuffleboard courts were added in 1954, two more 1955, and two more in 1957. The Club now had 11 courts. I can find no record of when the additional 11 courts were added, but probably they were put in over the next 10 years to bring us to our present total of 22 courts.

Other activities included dancing, painting, crafts, etc. In 1964 the Shuffleaires were organized. They were a very talented group. They sang and played music. They were active for about 25 years. Dues were now doubled again to $4.00. Dues were doubled again in 1973 and raised again in 1983 to $10.00.

In 1987 I came to Avon Park and I can give a more detailed report from now on. Shuffleboard was then the #1 activity in Avon Park.

To go back a little, in 1977 Harris Steward was the President. He was a very capable man. Some information will be a little sketchy - but here goes: Jessie and Bernice Long were shuffleboard chairmen and did a great job, I am told. They had the job four years. Bernice was still helping 20 years later even though she was legally blind. (They were Shirley Swindell’s father and mother). Shirley has been very helpful ever since, helping with dinners, buying for Bingo and performing many other challenging tasks.

In 1982 George and Clara Davis were in charge of shuffleboard for four years and also continued to help by giving lessons, etc. for the next 15 years. Clara also taught crafts and painting. Some quotes and information have been taken from Horace J. Fenton's, “History of Avon Park 1886- 1956.”

 Authored by Dick Davis

- posted by Tom Clayton