History is All Around

On Friday, I went to Parker Lumbar, a local lumber yard in Maitland. It’s one of those family businesses that have been around for years. In the case of Parker Lumbar, generations; the Parker family was one of the pioneer families of Maitland Florida. A member of their family signed the charter to incorporate the city in 1884.
In 1934, Willard F. and Laurence Parker started the Parker Lumber Company and the lumbar yard has operated for over 75 years at the same location.

In addition to starting what eventually would be a thriving business for many, many years, the Parker family was very involved in their community. W.L. “Bud” Parker was a member of Maitland’s Volunteer Fire Department and served our City as Mayor and member of the City
Council. As the years passed, Maxine Parker was an avid member of the Maitland Woman’s Club, and Rita Parker was involved in the Maitland Historical Society and helped bring the Waterhouse museum to reality.

There will be more as I hope to have the opportunity to talk with the family about their history in the area.