Harry P. Leu Gardens has been the pride of Orlando for decades, drawing locals and visitors to tour its beautiful grounds and marvel as its lush tropical and subtropical foliage.
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According to the gardens’ website, the land originally was settled by Central Florida pioneer and sheriff David Mizell and his family in the the late 1850s. The property changed hands over the years and was acquired by Orlando business man Harry P. Leu in 1936. He and his wife, Mary Jane, were the ones who really started focusing on it as a botanical garden.
“Through the years, Leu developed a passion for the beauty of tropical flowers, garlanding his home with assorted selections,” the Sentinel reported in Leu’s obituary, published on Dec. 4, 1977. “In 1961, he donated to the city the park that bears his name, a 40-acre Eden graced by one of the most striking collections of azaleas and camellias in the Southeast.”
Here’s the story of that transaction from the Dec. 23, 1961 edition of the Orlando Sentinel:
The fabulous Harry P. Leu botanical gardens were deeded to the City of Orlando yesterday, and once the 40-acre tract is fenced it will be opened to the public.
Leu, retired president of the industrial machine company that bears his name, turned over the property to city council yesterday for a token payment of $56,018.73.
Unofficial estimates of value ranged from $500,000 to $1 million. Leu termed the acres of azaleas, camellias, and other colorful flora “priceless.”
The wooded retreat lies partly in and partly out of the northeast part of the city on the south shore of Lake Rowena. It also lies north of Nebraska Ave. and west of Forest St. Council took immediate steps to annex all the property and take bids on the fencing.
Mr. and Mrs. Leu are keeping an adjoining nine acres on which they will build a new home. Until it is completed they will be allowed to remain in their home in the future park.
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The city agrees that the “Harry P. Leu Gardens” shall remain forever a botanical attraction where no sports, athletic events or swimming, fishing or boating activities, or any commercial enterprises will be allowed.
Mayor Robert S. Carr, who along with County Commissioner. Donald S. Evans and City Solicitor John G. Baker, have negotiated for two years to bring about the agreement, called it “a wonderful piece of property to exhibit Florida horticulture in its pristine state.”
Leu responded, “It is indeed a pleasure to present to you this property which has been my home for a great many years. I do not know of anything I could do that would be more fitting for the city.”
Stine and Mayor Carr will make up a three-man board of trustees to control, operate, manage, maintain and care for the gardens under general supervision of city council.
The agreement expressly forbids the city from ever selling or trading any part of the property. But provisions have been made for road right-of-way, utility, drainage and sewer easements.
More stories and features from the Orlando Sentinel’s 150 years of covering Central Florida can be found at OrlandoSentinel.com/150. Sign up for our free history newsletter at OrlandoSentinel.com/newsletters
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