Luther F. Tilden facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Luther F. Tilden
Born	August 10, 1834 Cornwall, Vermont
Died	March 28, 1929 (age 94) Tildenville, Florida
Known for	Prominent farmer and citizen in West Orange County, Florida
Spouse(s)	Emily Aurora Tilden
Children	4

Luther Fuller Tilden was an important pioneer and community leader in western Orange County, Florida. He owned a lot of land south of Lake Apopka. His family's farms were a big part of the local economy. The area around his land even became known as Tildenville. It was located between the towns of Winter Garden and Oakland.

Luther Tilden's Early Life

Luther Fuller Tilden was born on August 10, 1834. His hometown was Cornwall, Vermont. When Luther was young, his father, Isaac Tilden, moved the family. They went to live in Upstate New York.

When Luther was 18, his father passed away. Luther inherited some money and property. He sold this to his older brother. After that, Tilden left New York and moved to Illinois. He settled in a town called Vienna.

Luther liked Illinois so much that he wrote to his family. He convinced them to move west and join him. While living in Illinois, Tilden got married. His first three children were also born there.

Moving to Florida and Farming Success

Tilden lived in Vienna, Illinois, for more than 20 years. But in 1875, he was diagnosed with bronchitis. This is a lung condition. His doctor told him to move to a warmer place. The doctor believed warm weather would help his lungs feel better.

So, Tilden immediately started looking for a new home in the south. He scouted places in Florida. He decided to settle on the southern shore of Lake Apopka. Once again, his whole family, including his wife's relatives, moved with him.

Tilden started farming in Florida. He quickly became one of the most successful farmers in the area. One reason for his success was how he packaged his crops. Back then, many crops were packaged poorly or not at all. But Tilden made sure his produce was always packed properly.

At first, tomatoes were his main crop. In the years that followed, citrus fruits became very important to the economy of Central Florida. So, Tilden changed his farms to grow citrus trees.

In 1894 and 1895, a very cold event happened. It was called the Great Freeze. This freeze killed many citrus trees in Florida. Many settlers had to leave because they lost their farms. Tilden helped those who lost everything. He gave them loans, equipment, and even let them use his animals temporarily.

Helping the Community

Luther Tilden helped many organizations in western Orange County. He often donated land and money. Sometimes, he even led these groups himself.

For example, Lakeview Middle School is built on land Tilden donated. The Presbyterian Church of Oakland also sits on land he gave. The Bank of Winter Garden is another local organization that Mr. Tilden led.

By the end of his life, people in Oakland, Winter Garden, and Tildenville respected him greatly. They called him "West Orange's Grandest Old Man." People said he continued to drive a Cadillac around town even when he was in his 90s.

Luther Tilden's Legacy

Many things in the area still remind people of Luther F. Tilden and his family.

• A house Tilden built for his son, called Meadow Marsh, is now a historic place. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• A street in Winter Garden is named after the Tilden family.
• In 2022, the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation honored Luther F. Tilden and his family with a special exhibit.
• Tildenville, a community, still carries his name. Several local businesses and schools use the name, like Tildenville Elementary School.
• Many history books about West Orange County talk about the big impact Luther F. Tilden and his family had. They helped shape the local economy and culture.