The Powers Family Collection is a rather complete family history of Hiram Powers, his wife Rose Edith Mills Powers and their daughter Rose MacMaster Powers. They lived in Winter Park from 1910 to 1945 and made significant contributions to the social, civic and economic life of the community.
During the time that Hiram Powers operated his real estate business, many photos were taken of Winter Park and of Winter Park property and homes. Included in this part of the collection are images of the lakes as they were at that time, undeveloped and with many trees and much vegetation. Many of these photographs have an artistic quality to them and would have surely encouraged a person viewing them to want to come down from "Up North" and partake of the warm afternoons and balmy breezes of Winter Park! One of the photographs on this site is of a moonlit Lake Maitland, the mood and tones of this image would have created the thoughts of tranquil evenings watching the moon's glow reflected from the lake.
The collection contains correspondence to and from all the family members; writings, art work and miscellaneous material relating to the family members; material relating to the Poetry Society of Florida; photographs (mostly unlabeled); real estate dealings including deeds, leases and contracts; and booklets, pamphlets and clippings. The Powers Family Collection notes and an inventory list are available in the Winter Park History and Archives Department at The Library.
Hiram and his wife Rose came to Winter Park around 1910. Hiram formed the Hiram Powers Real Estate Insurance Company and operated this business into the 1940's. Hiram died in 1945.
Rose Mills Powers was a prolific writer of poetry and short stories, with many of her poems being published. She was a charter member of the Woman's Club and an editor of the Winter Park Post. Rose died in 1943. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
This photograph of the U. S. Post Office and the Bank Of Winter Park is from Hiram Powers' file of photographs used in his real estate business. Mr. Powers, whose office was located in the Powers Building, 120 E. Park Avenue was an active participant in the economic development of downtown Winter Park.
The U. S. Post Office and the Bank Of Winter Park were both built on Park Avenue and opened in 1911. The Bank of Winter Park opened on October 16, 1911 with Dr. William F. Blackman, President; Harold Ward, Vice President; C. D. Powell, Cashier; and Walter H. Schultz and R. P. Foley, Directors. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
This photograph of the The Seminole Hotel is from Hiram Powers' file of photographs used in his real estate business.
On April 16, 1913, The Seminole Hotel Company Board of Directors voted to accept a contract from R. P. Foley wherein Foley would assume the management of the hotel known as the Seminole. Present at the Board of Directors meeting were: R. P. Foley, Charles H. Morse, Charles L. Smith and W. R. O'Neal.
The Seminole Hotel operated from 1913 to 1970 at E. Webster Avenue and Lake Osceola. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
Note written on Seminole Hotel stationery to Mrs. Powers asking to see a new story that she had written. Signed by a family friend, Albert Shaw. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
This is another photograph of The Seminole Hotel from Hiram Powers' file of photographs used in his real estate business. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
This photograph of The Seminole Hotel grounds facing the lake is from Hiram Powers' file of photographs used in his real estate business. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
The moon's reflected light on Lake Maitland. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
A vintage view of Lake Maitland's shore. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
A canoeist paddles on the south end of Lake Osceola. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
A vintage view of the shore of Lake Osceola near the Virginia Inn. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
An early photo of the Winter Park Country Club and Golf Course. In this photo, one can see the newly planted grass for the greens and Webster Avenue as a dirt road. The Winter Park Country Club and Golf Course, now owned by the City of Winter Park, was placed on National Register of Historic Places on September 17, 1999. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
The vintage car parked at the left side of the Winter Park Country Club Building, probably dates this photograph to around the time the country club was built(1914). It is the oldest civic building in Winter Park. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
A letter from Hamilton Holt, President of Rollins College, thanking the Powers for birthday letters received. Signed by Hamilton Holt. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
A letter addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Powers asking for support for the Princeton Glee Club program at the Annie Russell Theatre on April 10, 1941. It was signed by Rhea Marsh Smith. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
Copyright Notice:
The copyright interests for material included in the Winter Park Public Library Archives Collection may not be transferred to the Library and therefore remain with the current copyright holders. For more information, please see our Copyright Information Page.
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