Brewer Avenue is named for Edward Hill Brewer, who was born in 1851 in Cortland, New York. His father was in the harness business; Edward succeeded him and expanded the business, manufacturing carriage accessories. The Brewers lived in the Chapman Bungalow (the first residence erected in Winter Park) and the Schultz home before purchasing land - including a vast orange grove - on the east shore of Lake Osceola in 1897 from Rollins. Construction began in 1898, and the family moved into the 21-room "Palms"in 1899.
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| This stereoscope is a view from about 1910 of what is today Aloma and Brewer. The road, measuring less than one mile, was created around 1882, thereby connecting the settlements of Osceola and Winter Park. Osceola residents could then utilize Winter Park as a traveling and shipping point to worlds beyond. Dr. Ira Burrus "J.B." Geer, one of the Winter Park's first physicians, lived on the northwest corner of Osceola and this new street beginning in 1876. It was his home and office. As such, this stretch of road (known at various times as Baby Grove, Geer Hill, and Brewer Hill) was Geer Avenue before it became Brewer Avenue. | Brewer Avenue 2001. Click on the thumbnail photographs to view larger images. |