TANGERINE, FLORIDA

Tangerine, Florida is an unincorporated community in Orange County about 32 miles northwest of Orlando and 2 miles south of Mount Dora.

Tangerine Sloewood Drive

It has a population of about 3,870 and although it is quickly being surrounded by upscale subdivisions, the original community still retains its quiet small town Old Florida feel.

Dudley Adams

Dudley W. Adams came to the area in 1875 at what was known as the "Olaville" settlement in Northwest Orange County, Florida, named for its location on Lake Ola.

Adams was a famous horticulturist, and built a cabin on the eastern shore of Lake Beauclaire, a small lake northwest of Lake Ola.

He planted a large orange grove and other fruit trees and called the community Lake Ola.

He and his sister-in-law, Ms. Bessie Heustis, held a meeting in 1879 in which the community changed its name from Olaville and Lake Ola to Tangerine, named for the fruit tree that grew in Ms. Heustis's yard.

Adams organized the Tangerine Development Society in 1885 and built a community school in 1886.  He was always an enthusiastic supporter of the Florida Citrus Industry and is in the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame. He passed away in Tangerine in 1897.

The Congregational Church was founded in 1887 and over the years changed its name to the Tangerine Community Church.

In 1909 the Tangerine Improvement society was founded and in 1911 a new community building known as Tangerine Community Hall was built on land donated by Mr. and Ms. William and Addie Earl.

A few years later Mrs. Sadie Trimble dedicated land between Lake Beauclaire and Lake Carlton to Orange County who developed Trimble Park.

Tangerine Community Center

In 1972 the Tangerine Community Hall burned down.  Mr. Cecil Johnston led the drive to build a new hall which was completed in 1977 and is located next door to the Tangerine Community Church.  It was designated as Johnston Hall.

Tangerine Community Church

Tangerine was the home of novelist Pat Frank for a few years.  During his time here he wrote the best selling novel "Alas, Babylon" in 1959.  It tells the story of a small Florida town and how it survives after a nuclear war.

Nuclear Mushroom Cloud

Most historians believe that the fictional town of Fort Repose featured in the novel was based on nearby Mount Dora which is located two miles north of Tangerine.

Tangerine House on Lake Street

Tangerine is a quiet residential town with no commercial businesses with a mix of historic old houses side by side with modern ones. 

Tangerine Schoolhouse Daycare Center

It is located on the northern side of Lake Ola, one of the cleanest and clearest lakes in Central Florida.

Tangerine 5550 Huron St.

The community is being surrounded by new high quality subdivisions.  The increased population inspired the Tangerine Schoolhouse Daycare Center on Lake Street.

The Meeting House

The main thing to do in Tangerine is to go to Mount Dora and enjoy its many shops and restaurants.  A close second is to do some water skiing or fishing on Lake Ola.

Trimble Park Playground

Locals and tourists enjoy Trimble Park which has a playground, picnic tables, and campsites.