Historic Englewood Florida
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1476444
Page 6 Historic Englewood Guide 2022 The 1950s saw many changes in Englewood. At the beginning of the decade, the small, scattered villages of Placida, Grove City, McCall and Englewood bore little resemblance to the beachfront community it would become over the next 75 years. The development of air conditioning and improved national highways brought more people to Florida in general. By the end of decade, the Englewood Water District and the Englewood Area Fire Control District were established, bringing public drinking water and fire protection to the growing community. The community's first newspaper editor, Jo Cortes, thought Englewood could use a boost in August, when businesses were hurting for cash. She thought up Pioneer Days as a way to draw people from the surrounding communities to Englewood for some boat races, a parade, and a festival with watermelon-eating and beard contests. We hope the photos in this book help paint a picture of Englewood from that time. The Nifty Fifties in Englewood PHOTO COURTESY OF DIANA HARRIS The first Miss Englewood crowned in 1954 was Betty Robertson Gilmore, who remembered, "The contest was so popular people were standing outside looking through the windows, since they couldn't get in. And I remember, supposedly, there was a cash prize, but I think they forgot to give it to me."