Date:
[unknown]
[unknown]
Location:
Apopka, Orange, Florida, United States
Surnames/tags:
War_Dead Heroes Apopka
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Category:Firefighters
Category:Died of Disease, Confederate States of America, United States Civil War
Category:United States of America, Firefighters Killed in the Line of Duty
Category:Florida Police Officers Killed in the Line of Duty
Category:Killed in Action, United States of America, Vietnam War
Category:Killed in Action, United States of America, Korean War
Category:Missing in Action, United States of America, Vietnam War
Category:Killed in Action
Category:Spanish-American War
Concept
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| Jason Bosley Dwelley, PO2 Street Dedication Sign
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There are many veterans buried in the City, but this honor is for those who were citizens who lived here, were born here, went to school here, or functioned here in other capacities then went to war or functioned as police or firemen then died in service. [1]
There are a few streets in Apopka named after soldiers who didn't return home alive over the century. But, resistance happened when people wanted to have more streets named for more recent loses and when young people unknowing asked for a heroes' street to be renamed to a school mascot. Education occurred when the later happened and the teens erected monuments to the heroes instead.
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| Apopka Streets Dedicated to WWII Heroes
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Dr. Phyllis M Olmstead (DrO) developed the concept of dedicating streets instead of the complication of renaming the roads upsetting residents and businesses with changing their addresses, deeds, mortgages, stationery, etc.
Streets of Apopka, Florida are dedicated to those who have died in wars, police, and fire service since 1862. On October 10, 2020, DrO led a dedication ceremony at Kit Land Nelson Park to dedicate 33 streets in honor of 32 war heroes and 1 constable who had died serving our country or city.[2] As of July 2022, a firefighter has also died on duty and two additional civil war era soldiers were discovered.
Process
DrO researched their lives and service and then proposed to the Historical Society of the Apopkans the design of the signage and funds raised through the book she had published for William Gladden called "The Pennings of Perrin Slim: The stories of Northwest Orange County Florida." She presented the program to the City Council of Apopka. Newspapers and radio stations ran articles and interviews. There was substantial social media discussion. The signs were erected a few days prior then the dedication and reveal was held on October 10, 2020.
The City Council, the Apopka Historical Society, the VFW Post 10147, Orange County officials, and high school J-ROTC members participated. There was a lovely reception afterwards.
Military Honorees
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| Pvt William P Delk, Dedication Street Sign
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The first known war dead of Apopka served for the US Army was Pvt. William P. Delk.[3] He died of illness and was buried where he died. His memorial is in Church Cemetery in Apopka, Florida. Florida was a Confederate stronghold, but his father was a Whig and he believed as his father.[4]
The most recent honoree is Fire Fighter Emergency Medical Technician Austin Duran who died at work on 15 July 2022. He was honored in early 2024. Two brothers, Cpt Jonathan Stewart, 1862, and Pvt Philemon Stewart, 1864, died from the War Between the States. They were honored on 19 Sept 2024.
The War Between the States
Florida was a southern state, but many of the soldiers were conscripted, or forced to join, either by social pressure, employers, or family members. One example is Orange County Sheriff Jonathan Stewart. His brother Philemon Stewart joined with him, they are said to not have joined for the cause.
Spanish American War
| Serviceperson | Death | Artery | Cross Street
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| Sgt. John Griffin | Apr 1898 | Main St Northside | Edgewood
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| Pvt. Austin C. Bennett | 11 May 1898 | Main St Southside | Oakland
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| Pvt. William H. Bailey | 1 Jun 1898 | Main St Southside | Midland
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World War II
Korean War
Vietnam
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Homeland Service Honorees
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| Dep Denson L. Hudson Street Dedication simulated
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Police
| Serviceperson | Life | Artery | Cross Street
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| Dep Denson Lee Hudson | 8 Jun 1892-18 Mar 1941 | Main St Southside | Forest Ave
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Fire
| Serviceperson | Life | Artery | Cross Street
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| FF EMT Austin Michael Duran | 25 May 1997-15 Jul 2022 | E 5th St | S Park Ave
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Full List of Heroes with Sortable Streets
When driving through Apopka, you are able to view the signs by sorting the names in this list. Click the column marked Artery Location. That will cause Park Ave and Main St names to sort in sections so that you can see which honorees appear on those streets. This program is limited in its capability, but you can go east and then west on Main St then south and north on Park Ave or the opposite directions as desired if you sort.
As hurricanes or other weather events take down signs, please notify Police at https://apopka.net of missing street or stop signs in the area. We don't want to see any accidents occurring in our town! Thank you.
Take a Tour of the Heroes of Apopka
- Start at South McGee Ave westbound on East Main Street on the northside of the road. This road is also called SR441 and Orange Blossom Trail. The first location is dedicated to Pvt Philemon Bryan Stewart.
- Follow the map west, street by street to South Park Avenue in front of Apopka City Hall.
- Turn north, right, onto South Park Avenue onto North Park Avenue.
- Follow the Hero Service Signs north through the city onto Rock Springs Road up to West Ponkan Road.
- Turn west, left, onto West Ponkan Road to Jason Dwelley Road.
- Turn north, right onto Jason Dwelley Road, 0.1 mile to Fire House Lane. This is Jason Dwelley's Street Dedication sign.
- Reverse south on Jason Dwelley Road, East on Ponkan Road, back to Rock Springs Road.
- Drive 3 miles south to Service Hero Street Cpt Jack G Grossenbacher,
- Continue south to through the streets to Main Street.
- Turn west, right, past Central Avenue.
- Make a U-Turn after Lake Avenue at the safest place.
- Marvin Zanders/Lake Avenue will be the first eastbound Service Hero sign on West Main for LT Theon "Uncle Joey" Oliff Eason in front of his home.
- Turn south, right, on South Park Avene ending before the railroad tracks. Turn around safely.
- Return up South Park Avenue.
- Turn east, right, onto East Main Street in front of Apopka City Hall.
- Continue observing the Hero Street dedications to South McGee Avenue where you began.
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| Streets Dedications of Service Heroes of Apopka, Orange, Florida, USA
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Sources
- ↑ 'We can't forget the sacrifices' Apopka streets to honor fallen soldiers, Steven Hudak, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Sep 2020, B1-B2
- ↑ Orlando Sentinel, Hudak, S. 2020
- ↑ http://www.footnote.com/image/#119130105
- ↑ History of Apopka and Northwest Orange County Florida. Schofner, J. H. 1982. p 13
Natalie
I didn't get to count, it looked like 75 fire personnel showed up, citizens, council, friends, and family to hang the sign. It was a beautiful, but emotional event. His father put the sign up. You can see him doing it in the profile.