City of Apopka history

The bounty land granted to soldiers of the Seminole War was a clear inducement while others bought their land @$1.25 an acre under the Act of Congress (1820).

The migration began following Florida’s attaining statehood in 1845.

By 1856 there were enough members of the Masonic Order to form a lodge.

The TO&A railroad reached Apopka in 1885, join­ing it to markets north and south.

The devastating winter of 1894-95, that killed the crops and left the groves stripped and dead, so discouraged many that they packed and left to return to their former· homes in the north, or to look for a warmer climate to start again to the south of Lake Apopka or on the east coast of Florida.

Many of those who stayed replanted or watched the stumps grow green shoots again and by 1910 were once more reaping profits.

Apopka was incorporated in 1919 with a mayor/council government.

In 1941, these muck lands according to one source, estimated about 20,000 acres of vegetables and there were 400 acres under cultivation in the plant nurseries.

The new pumper, purchased from General Corporation, was placed in service in early 1948.

The first all-service masks, used to protect firefighters from smoke, and the first foam and foam nozzles were purchased and placed into service in 1949.

Since none of the current vehicles could pull the boat, volunteer firefighters raised money to purchase a 1951 half ton truck and sparked the beginning of what would later become known as the Apopka Fireman's Association.

A third pumper, purchased from the American La France Corporation, was put into service in 1953.

The 1962 Pontiac, which was being used as a backup ambulance, would be sold and some of the equipment transferred to this new ambulance.

In May of 1966, only three months into the new service, a new International ambulance was received along with new first aid equipment.

The new service celebrated its first anniversary in February of 1967, marking a year of faithful and extensive service to the citizens of Northwest Orange County.

On November 10, Chief Gilliam had the pleasure of presenting Mayor John Land a check in the sum of $3,114.43. It was a 1968 model Chevrolet Suburban Carryall and would be purchased through funds collected during the membership drive.

On August 5, 1977, the department received its newest engine in almost ten years: a 1000 gallon per minute Ford Pumper built by the Darley Corporation.

Station #3, built by firefighters to house one pumper in Clarcona (manned by volunteers in the Clarcona area) was moved onto city owned property in 1982.

However, in 1990, the City of Apopka approved a permanent loan of the truck to the Orange County Historical Museum where it is proudly displayed in one of Orlando's first fire stations.

Much of the new growth in Apopka can be attributed to The John Land Apopka Expressway (Toll 414) which opened on May 15, 2009.