The History of Zellwood Station

A few Indians remained in Central Florida when the first white settlers found their way here. Some of the latter lived on the shore of Lake Grassmere and nearby lakes, such as the families of Buck Goolsby, Frank Gill and J.M. Neil. Indeed, many descendants bearing the Goolsby name are buried in the Conquest (Church) graveyard adjacent to Zellwood Station. Settlements developed at Zellwood, Grassmere, McDonald (near the Route 441 fire tower) and Plymouth. In the late 1870's, winter visitors and year-round residents increased in number, including the Zells, Osborns, Laughlins, Piries (Errol Estate) and Pauls.

It was the J.W. Paul family, which wintered, then became residents on what is now Zellwood Station property. Mr. Paul was a glass manufacturer, then partner-manager of the Verona Tool Works. His oldest son, Harry, born in 1856, was a printer's devil at fourteen and at seventeen an office boy at Verona. In ten years, he became company president, affording his father an opportunity to winter in Florida and purchase the first of six parcels of land in 1887. The Paul family lived in a small cottage at first, then on ground between Lake Grassmere and Lake Coen, built the familiar large white house in the early 1890's, on what is now the site of the Recreation Hall or Depot. A daughter and husband, Charles Baker, lived in the house with the parents, and the balance of the family were frequent visitors. They all helped to develop the property in plantings, gardens, and the driveways lined with live oak trees. Harry S. Paul took an active part in becoming principal owner. After many good years, the Harry Paul estate sold the property to Orange State Security, a corporation of the Sam Coen family.

Mr. Coen had built a house-trailer at his home in West Palm Beach, hitched it up and traveled up Route 441 to the west coast and back. He was impressed enough with the rolling hills of this area and the possibility of growing citrus that he settled here. He planted seedling trees instead of the grafted variety, with peach trees in between, harvesting peaches well before the citrus was producing. He then needed packing and transportation facilities. Mr. Coen became famous for moving a low roof barn (located between the present Rolling Hills Church and Lake Grassmere) to a site near the then two lane Route 441. It was done by removing two or three rows of orange trees in the barn's path, inching the barn forward by means of skids and rollers, and then replanting the trees in the vacated space.

With the addition of box making equipment, roadways, and a railroad siding, Sam Coen was in business.

The Libby Company obtained a twenty-year lease on the Coen property in 1953. Mr. George McClure became production manager for most of the fifties and sixties, living in the big white house on weekends, then from 1962-1968 full time. He entertained family and friends in his home and had a stable of riding horses near some shacks in the flat area south of Lake Coen. During this period, Mr. McClure had 800 acres planted in orange, tangerine and grapefruit trees.

When Cayman Development Corporation bought the property they adopted an "Old Florida" theme, which involved renovating the old house and moving it to a dominant position. They also planned to buy and move the old and unused Zellwood railroad station and convert it to a golf clubhouse. This was not feasible, but the name "Zellwood Station", and the railroad signal idea to serve as a logo were retained.

One of the early investors in Cayman Development was Mr. George Johnson, who became principal investor when the oil embargo recession caused others to drop out. He was a believer in the community concept and life style and tried to preserve it as the park grew rapidly between 1976 and 1978. In 1979, homeowners were offered the opportunity to purchase their individual lots and proportionate share of common property, including roadways. 283 homeowners did so.

In late 1981, Angeles Corporation -under a limited partnership arrangement- bought most of the Cayman property, with Mr. Johnson retaining land near 441 and contributing a large parcel which became the site of Rolling Hills Church The new owners thus became a participant in the condominium comprised of Oak Grove, Citrus Ridge and Banbury Villages and a Lessor in the developing phases, which were to more than double the number of homes.

Several occurrences of sub-freezing weather have deprived Zellwood Station residents of a bountiful supply of citrus, which had been available in the early years. A golfer could drive down the fairway and pause to pick, peal and eat a tangerine. The freeze of January 1981 was followed by another on Christmas Eve 1983. Most citrus was killed to the ground with the rootstock deemed worthless. However, there are signs that some renascent orange "bushes", sprung from old roots, are bearing some sweet oranges along with the larger sour variety. It has been found that small orange trees kept pruned to a small size are good commercial producers. With many yards accommodating a tree or two, oranges could make a comeback in Zellwood Station.

As we enter 2004, the number of homes in Zellwood Station is approaching 1030. The PGA golf Course, with its Pro Shop and Clubhouses, proximity of community needs and services and especially the rolling countryside, have led many residents to end their search for an ideal retirement location at the gates of our community. The attitude and efforts of many who reside here have made Zellwood Station one of the finest communities in Florida, and one where people generously share their lives and their blessings with others.