Family
Where we live, genealogy, and stories
streets of callahan in Parramore
where we live
boundaries of Callahan
in
Parramore
in
Parramore
The boundaries of the Callahan neighborhood comprise of Amelia Street to the north, Central Avenue to the south, Orange Blossom Trail to the west and Hughey Avenue to the East. These boundaries include two interior streets, Parramore Avenue and Westmoreland Drive, within the Callahan grid’s north and south axises. The majority of residential living can be found within the inner streets of Parramore Avenue and Westmoreland Drive.
main and secondary streets
orange blossom
westmoreland
hames St.
benson Ave.
hill St.
garden St.
mcquigg Ave.
ossie Pl.
pershing St.
wilson St.
amelia - central
north to south
federal St.
bentley St.
polk St.
jefferson St.
dewitt St.
otey Pl.
lee St.
Hughey
Parramore
bob Carr Ct.
grove park St.
Terry St.
chathan St.
beggs Ave.
beech St.
oakwood St.
macbro St.
division St.
settlements from the past
Surveyor’s Site Plan of A. Hopper’s Subdivision: James B. Parramore Addition, Circa 1886.
Source: Orange County History Center; Resources: Lesleyanne Drake, Curator of Collection and Melissa S. Procko, Research Librarian
Jonestown Settlement
Originally platted east of the business district (now Downtown Orlando), in the late 19th century by Mr. & Mrs. Sam Jones. Jonestown is credited with being the first black settlement in Orlando. Today Reeves Terrance occupies the former Jonestown site. The black residents were forced to move in 1941 to make way for the government public housing projects built for white/ residents. The black settlement homes had two and three bedrooms with porches and tin roofs.
Hopper quarters settlement
In 1886, Rev. Andrew Hooper (court records list Andrew Hopper) a white minister and landowner platted an area west of the then business district (now Downtown Orlando) for small single-family cottages. These cottages were built behind residences north of Central Ave. The cottages were built for black domestic workers (maids’, cooks' yard and handy men) who worked in the white residences on Central Avenue.
Sand settlement
This community was settled in the early 1900s, on the west side of now Interstate 4 and downtown Orlando. The community border axles were Orange Blossom Trail at the west, Division Street at the east, Gore street at the south and South Street at the north. The neighborhood got its name because none of the streets were paved and, during the summer months, the community was dry, dusty and sandy.
Black bottom settlement
Bounded by Washington Street, Robinson, Orange Blossom Trail and Parramore. This community got its nick-name from the color of the interior dirt streets (Jefferson, Hill, Terry and Mcquigg streets). These interior streets were not paved and lacked street drainage. The area was plagued with severe flooding when it rained because the community was low lined with a downward land slope. City funding to install a sustainable street drainage system, add sidewalks and pave the streets occurred in the mid 1970’s.
Pepperhill settlement
Pepperhill was an area bounded on the north by Amelia and south by Gore Avenue, east by Hughley avenue and west by Orange Blossom Trail. The neighborhood started in 1866, when the first homes in the area were constructed by Whilom Whilin, a white builder. The area became the hub of the black community's education, religious and social activities. In the 20s the neighborhood was known as Pepperhill, The City of Orlando renamed the neighborhood in honor of Dr. J.B. Callahan within Parramore.
Surveyor’s Site Plan of James B. Parramore Addition to the Town of Orlando: Circa 1882
Source: Orange County History Center; Resources: Lesleyanne Drake, Curator of Collections and Melissa S. Procko Research Librarian
researching your family's tree
CALLAHAN TREE OF FAMILIES AND NAMES below represents three generations of families since 1900 “where neighbors knew neighbors.” As a community the Callahan Family Tree represents and honors the families that knitted the fabric of Callahan. Our tree remains vibrant and diverse. We welcome adding families to the tree with INCLUSION and PRIDE. Families can be added using the contact us form.
A-D
- Anderson
- Bishop
- Boren
- Bowman
- Bridges
- Braboy
- Brown
- Britt
- Bryant
- Burks
- Burnett
- Butler
- Bush
- Callahan
- Carter
- Charles
- Christian
- Cobb
- Coleman
- Collier
- Council
- Cosby
- Crooms
- Davis
- Diltz
- Doby
- Drew
E-M
- Eccleston
- Ellis
- Engram
- Ferrell
- Florence
- Frazier
- Gelzer
- Hankins
- Hardeman
- Harris
- Henson
- Hicks
- Hinson
- Hodges
- Holt
- James
- Jamison
- Johnson
- Jolly
- Jones
- Kennedy
- Lancaster
- London
- Manigault
- McGowen
- Merritt
N-Z
- Nottingham
- Owens
- Perkins
- Perry
- Peterson
- Powell
- Robinson
- Romney
- Rayam
- Shorter
- Speight
- Staggers
- Starks
- Thompson
- Tillinghast
- Tribute
- Turner
- Walton
- Weaver
- Wells
- White
- Williams
- Wilkerson
- Wilson
- Woodley
the past informs the future
genealogy is the story of who you are
finding information at home
Begin with the most recent generation. Write down everything you know about your family: full names, birth dates and places, marriage dates and places, death dates and places. Once you have collected information about yourself and younger generations, then start working backwards with your parents, grandparents and as far back as you can remember. Next, ask family members for information they can remember, even if you think you know, it’s always a good idea to verify with family members.
Genealogy resources
Your family tree begins with you: Begin with the 5 Generation Pedigree Chart, focus on one generation at a time. Look in Bibles; Cookbooks; Important papers (wills, deeds, titles); Letters; Newspaper Clippings; Obituaries, Photo Album-Pictures; etc.
Genealogy and the Orange County Library System (OCLS):
OCLS Genealogy Collection
West Oaks Branch Genealogy Center
1821 E Silver Star Road
Ocoee, Florida 34761
useful links for beginners
www.ocls.info/genealogyAncestry.com is a comprehensive site of African American genealogy research, census, vital records, and tutorials. Ancestry.com requires a subscription to access its resources, but Ancestry Library edition is available at OCLS locations.
FamilySearch.org is a free collection of genealogy research maintained by the Church of Latter-Day Saints. FamilySearch has the largest collection of genealogical records in the world, and The West Oaks Branch Library & Genealogy Center is now a FamilySearch Affiliate Library. Create a Free FamilySearch Account and come into the West Oaks Library to view limited access collections of digitized records and books only available at Affiliate Libraries.
BYU Genealogy Courses Brigham Young University’s online educational program offers free courses on basic genealogy.
Heritage Quest Online This site can be reached from your device, contains census records and is free for OCLS card holder
home healing remedies
who can forget?
1. Philips Milk of Magnesia
The female matriarchs of the family knew many preventative medicine products and home remedies for the family medical care. Whether it was grand-mama, big mama, mama, auntie, sis or female cuz, their knowledge and their nurturing minimized doctor’s visits. The timing of when these home remedies were given was seasonal; whether it’s before the kids returned to school or the change of the weather (summer, fall, winter spring).
2.666 (Three 6's)
3. Father John
4.Castoria Oil
5.Black Draught
6.Rubbing Alcohol
7. Ex Lax
8.Bayer Aspirin
9.Mercurochrome
10.Epsom Salt
1. Milk of Magnesia
Reduced upset stomach and induced bowel movements. Also used as an antacid to relieve indigestion, sour stomach, and heartburn the milky taste lingered for hours.
2. 666 (Three 6's)
A staple in the medicine cabinet. Three 666’s was used for a cold or flu. If you had a bad cold or flu you got this. Then you was put to bed under a pile of blankets to “sweat it out”.
3. Father John
Used as a preventive medicine before flu season. Father John had a taste mixture of cod liver oil, molasses with a chocolate flavor. Sometimes kept in the refrigerator, one LARGE tablespoon was given when you had to take it.
4. Castoria Oil
Used to treat constipation. It was effective in stimulating a bowel movement. Castor oil was well-known laxative with and a sweet syrupy taste.
5. Black Draught
A liquid syrup laxative, much like castor oil to treat constipation, Black Draught was plant based made from senna, commonly used for many ailments.
6. Rubbing Alcohol
Used as an antiseptic on minor scrape. Isopropyl alcohol was mixed with water for use as a rubbing-alcohol antiseptic. Alcohol was a common ingredient used in household disinfecting products. It is also used in aftershave lotions, hand lotions, and other cosmetics.
7. Ex Lax
Short for “Excellent Laxative”, Ex-Lax was a chocolate laxative that worked fast to produce a bowel movement. It was normally given at night, NEVER to kids on a school day.
8. Bayer Aspirin
Used to reduce a fever, pain, and inflammation. The small bottle of mini powder table label with an “A” was the quick cure for a pounding headache.
9. Mercurochrome
Red dye liquid used on minor wounds when you scratched your knee or elbow.
10. Epsom Salt
Mixed with water Epsom salt was used to soak sore muscles.
medical providers
serving callahan
Dr. Jerry B. Callahan
General Practitioner
Dr. George P. Shanck
General Practitioner
Dr. James R. Smith
General Practitioner
Dr. Williams Monroe Wells
General PractitionerIN THE “HEART OF PARRAMORE” at the Parramore avenue and South street corridor was a bustling community of medical doctors and dentist practices. Whether delivering newborn babies, dental work, attending to routine general/outpatient medical care for minor to serious injuries; these Parramore medical pioneers were also community leaders and role models. Many attended Parramore’s famed religious churches, in addition to serving on business boards and actively participated in civil rights justice.
There were occasions where families with sick kids needing attention unable to pay their bill was given the opportunity to perform service deeds; ex. having the recovered kid cut grass, do handy work, the ill kid mom cooking a yummy home-made strawberry pie or recognizing the family being a member of their church. This generosity, understanding and attentiveness to the family’s circumstance served was a testimony of the respect and appreciation given.
Click to enlarge and read more
Click to enlarge and read more
Hankins Building, circa: 1971. 323 South Parramore Avenue. The Hankins Building, housed the office of Councilman “Pappy” Kennedy, Attorney Norris Wolfork legal practice, Dr. Hankins’ medical practice, The Orange County NAACP Office and Dr. Hunt’s dentist practice.
Dr. I. Sylvester Hankins
General Practitioner
Dr. Cecil B. Eccleston
Dentist
Dr. George Lamar Speight
Dentist
Dr. Robert W. Hunt
Dentistechoes of callahan
growing up in callahan through the years...the good and the bad
“When the streetlights came on at night, kids had to be in the house at the dinner table.”
“When it rained, the dirt streets in black bottom where street drainage did not exist would flood. The adults hated it, but the kids loved it; playing in the rain and mud was FUN.”
“The bell would ring from the Bell Tower at Carter Tabernacle C.M. E. Church every Sunday at 10 o’clock.”
“My favorite memory is years ago when there were businesses on many of the corners here in Callahan. One place made homemade flips”.
“The kids felt safe playing at the Callahan Park”
“During the late 90’s, slum lords and absentee landlords allowed the neighborhood to go down to the bad elements (crime and drugs)
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