Orlando is a city that’s always evolving. Buildings come up and go down pretty quickly, which has been the case for pretty much all of the City Beautiful’s history. The small town that had a population of 2,481 in 1900, has now evolved into a major metropolitan area with more than 2.5 million residents across the region. These vintage postcards and captions from the State Archives of Florida show just how much Orlando has changed in the past century, starting in the early 1900s to the late 1990s.

Photos by State Library & Archives of Florida https://www.floridamemory.com/

Tourists viewing gators at Gatorland, published after 1949. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The fountain at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Flowers and trees line the drive along Lake Eola in Orlando, Florida, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Flamingos at Gatorland Zoo., published after 1949. An accompanying note reads, “Colorful flamingos live happily in their natural habitat at beautiful Gatorland Zoo, the world’s largest alligator farm, located between Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida on U.S. Hwy. 17-92-441.” Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Genius Drive with the bougainvillea in bloom in Winter Park, Florida, published in 1956. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A large grapefruit grove near Orlando, Florida. The postcard was published in 1940. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
An orange grove in Orlando, published before 1921. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A postcard of the Harley Hotel of Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Highland Lake in Orlando, Florida, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Postcard Collection Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The Hotel Fort Gatlin in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Hotel Lucerne in Orlando, published in 1917. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The view along Maitland Avenue at the Hotel among the pines in Altamonte, published before 1910. The hotel was built in 1883 by the Altamonte Land, Hotel and Navigation Company. It burned in 1953. An accompanying note on the postcard says: “Photograph of the Altamonte Hotel from the rear, Altamonte Springs, Florida. Maitland Avenue is on the right. View from the south.” Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The Hotel Roberts in Orlando, published before 1929. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The Hyatt Orlando, published before 1982. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A postcard of St. James Church in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A Jordan Marsh store in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The main business section in Kissimmee, Florida, published before 1974. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The driveway along Lake Adair, Orlando, published in 1936. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A postcard of Lake Cherokee in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Fishing on Lake Conway in Orlando, sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Looking north across Lake Eola at the skyline of downtown Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
On Lake Minnie in the Orlando region, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The view on Lucerne Circle in Orlando, published before 1923. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Fishing on Lake Lucerne in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A postcard of the view up Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, published sometime in the 1900s, according to Florida State Archives, but likely after 1971, which is when Disney World first opened. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Magnolia Avenue and Wyoming House in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Main Street and First Presbyterian Church in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The fountain in Lake Eola Park, 1923 Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Crescent Court at 1721 N. Mills St. in Orlando., published sometime in the 1950s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The municipal auditorium, Orlando, published in 1947. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Orange Avenue in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Greetings from Orlando, Florida on Orange Avenue, published before 1907. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Orange Avenue in Orlando, published before 1908. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Orange Avenue in Orlando, published in 1940. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The orange fountain on Lake Ivanhoe in Orlando, published in 1953. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Orange Avenue looking north in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Orange Avenue north from Pine Street in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Packing oranges in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Orange Avenue looking south in Orlando, 1918. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
South Orange Avenue through the woods in Orlando, published in 1902. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Greetings from Orlando, Florida, “The City Beautiful,” published in 1945. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A postcard of an aerial view of business section, showing part of Lake Eola, published in 1933. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The City Beautiful – Orlando, Florida, published in 1955. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A postcard of an Orlando public school building, published before 1907. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Owen Godwin with python at his Gatorland Zoo, published after 1949. A note on the postcard says, “Owen Godwin – Big game hunter, world traveler, author and lecturer with one of his big rock pythons from India, photographed at his beautiful Gatorland zoo between Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida on U.S. 17, 92 and 441.”Postcards Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Park Avenue looking north in Winter Park, published sometime in the 1960s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Views of Parliament House Motor Inn at 410 N. Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando, published before 1996. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A mother and daughter feeding pigeons next to Lake Eola in Orlando, published before 1962. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Pine Street in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A presbyterian church in Orlando, published before 1916. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A view of Rollins College in Winter Park, published sometime in the 1900s. An accompanying note says, “Rollins College, at Winter Park, Florida showing Annie Russell Theatre and Knowles Memorial Chapel.” Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Postcard showing the “Grand Romance” cruise boat at Sanford, published sometime in the 1900s. An accompanying note says: “Located Four Miles Off I-4 Between Orlando & Daytona Beach. Luncheon, Dinner, Two Day Trip Cruising Year-Round”. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Ronnie’s in Orlando at the Colonial Shopping Plaza. This postcard was published in 1957. Ronnie’s was open from 1956-1995. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The Florida Sanitarium main building and grounds in Orlando, 1937 Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The Florida Sanitarium and Hospital in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The San Juan Hotel and Orange Avenue in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The San Juan Hotel in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A postcard of the San Juan Hotel in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Sanlando Springs Tropical Park in Orlando, 1947. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The Orlando Federal Savings and Loans Association, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A postcard of the “Big Tree,” also known as The Senator. Published after 1929. The tree was later destroyed by fire on January 16, 2012. A note on the postcard says, “Oldest cypress in the U.S. 3500 yrs. old – 127 ft. high – 47 ft. circumference – 17 1/2 ft. diameter – on U. S. 17 and 92 – between Sanford and Orlando, Florida.” Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
An aerial view of the Magic Kingdom, published sometime in the 1900s, according to Florida State Archives, but likely after 1971 when Disney World first opened. An accompanying note says: “Guest play and often stay in Walt Disney World. Exciting theme resorts are located along the shores of beautiful Bay Lake and picturesque Seven Seas Lagoon…gateway to the Magic Kingdom. A unique transportation network-monorail, watercraft and special land vehicles – links these attractions with complete facilities for outdoor recreation, entertainment and year around vacationing.” Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The spouting well in Orlando, likely published in 1934. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The State Bank of Orlando and Trust Company, published in 1923. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
St. Luke’s Cathedral in Orlando, published in 1941. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A postcard showing non-swimming recruits receiving instructions at the U.S. Naval Training Center in Orlando between 1968 and 1970. An accompanying note: “All men must be able to swim before graduating. The 1,100 acre training center, commissioned July 1, 1968, is located 50 miles west of Cape Kennedy in beautiful Orlando – a city with 54 lakes and a population of more than 100,000.” Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Two views of the Orlando Travelodge, published sometime in the 1970s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The Tremont Hotel in Orlando, published before 1912. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Tropical Motor Hotel in Kissimmee, published in 1961. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Tupperware World Headquarters, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A water lily pond at Eola Park, published before 1940. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A postcard of the Albertson Public Library in Orlando, 1938. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Alligator pad at the Gatorland Zoo, published after 1949. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The Angebilt Hotel in Orlando, published in 1945. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The fountain in Lake Eola Park, Orlando, 1936. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A view of the Lake Eola bandshell and downtown Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
First Baptist Church in Orlando, published 1945. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A baptist church in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The Ben White Raceway in Orlando, published in 1953. An accompanying note says: “BEN WHITE RACEWAY-Orlando, Florida, is the world’s largest winter training headquarters for trotters and pacers. Ben White Raceway, located in city-owned Fairview Park only three miles from downtown Orlando, has three training tracks. About 550 Standardbreds are quartered here each winter.” Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A bird’s eye view of Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A postcard of “Emperor,” a grand champion Brahman bull from Osceola County, published in 1947. An accompanying note says, “‘Emperor,’ Grand Champion Brahman Bull of Florida Bred, and raised on Heart-Bar Ranch between Kissimmee and St. Cloud, Fla. Weight 1800 lbs.” Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The business section in Orlando,1923. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A scene showing the Centennial Fountain in Lake Eola at Orlando, 1958. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Moonlight on Lake Cherokee in Orlando, published in 1923. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Children play at Lake Eola in Orlando, published in 1915. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A postcard of a circus performer standing atop a pyramid of elephants in 1973. Circus World was built near Orlando in 1973 by the Felds (then owners of Ringling Bros.) to combine circus based shows and amusement park rides with a new winter quarters for the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. It was later sold and rebranded multiple times. An accompanying note on the postcard says, “HAS HE GAINED WEIGHT? – Five elephants build a pyramid at the command of one of their trainers, Benny Williams.” Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A postcard of Colonial Plaza’s new million-dollar, air-conditioned shopping mall, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
A band concert in Lake Eola park, 1923. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The Confederate monument and petunia flower beds at Eola Park, 1923. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Club house, swimming pool and tennis courts at the country club of Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The Orange County Courthouse in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Orange County Courthouse, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Crocodiles and turtles at the Gatorland Zoo, published after 1949. An accompanying note: “Florida crocodiles and yellow bellied turtles share the warm Florida sunshine at beautiful Gatorland Zoo, the world’s largest alligator farm, located between Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida on U.S. Hwy. 17-92-441.” Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Big cypress tree between Orlando and Sanford, published sometime in the 1900s. An accompanying note says, “The Big Cypress Tree located on U.S. Highways 17 and 92 midway between Orlando and Sanford, Florida. The oldest and largest Cypress tree in the world, the largest tree east of the Rockies. Height before 1926 hurricane 165 feet- now 127 ft., Diameter 17 ft., circumference 54 ft. Over 3,500 years old. Forestry Department uses Instrument called “Increment Borer” to accurately determine age. The Seminole Indians and early traders used it as a landmark.” Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Gary’s Duck Inn, published before 1951. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The band stand on Lake Eola in Orlando, published before 1942. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Fountain at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The Orlando skyline by moonlight, published before 1945. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The sunset on Lake Eola, published before 1945. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
Swans on Lake Eola, published in 1923. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
An Episcopal church in Orlando, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The new expressway leading through downtown Orlando, published before 1963. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
The First Methodist Church in Orlando, Florida, published sometime in the 1900s. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida
First Presbyterian Church in Orlando, published in 1961. Credit: State Library & Archives of Florida