May 17, 2000, the Langford Farewell Banquet, "End Of An Era" was held at the Langford Hotel.   More than 200 friends, neighbors, and guests came to bid farewell to the Langford.   Guests were treated to a poolside cocktail party, a banquet room dinner, ceremony and entertainment.   "It is appropriate that we, the citizens of Winter Park, recognize and pay tribute to the Langford family as we bid a fond farewell to the Langford Hotel, a landmark of long standing in our community," said Guy Colado, vice president of the Winter Park Historical Association.   Master of ceremonies for the evening was Thaddeus Seymour, Rollins College president from 1978 to 1990.

After the festivities, a champagne toast was given by Winter Park Mayor Terry Hotard and former mayor, Joe Terranova.   After they toasted the Langfords and the "glorious history of the hotel," everyone lifted their glasses for one last toast to the hotel's "illustrious days."

The Langford Resort Hotel closed its doors May 30, 2000.   From August 21, 2001, to August 18, 2003, Diana Zimmerman, Winter Park Public Library's Digital Imaging Specialist, has photographed the demolition of the Langford Hotel.

As you look at the photographs, you will see a tall pine tree that stands where the front entrance to the Langford Hotel once was.   This tree appears in at least one photograph in each date section.   In his oral history, Robert Langford talks about trying to save as many trees as he could when the Langford Hotel was being built.   This tree was most likely one of those and hopefully the new construction will spare it.   This lone pine tree has seen the beginning and " the end of an era."

Click the links below to view a series of photographs showing the last days of the Langford Hotel, "The End of an Era"