Villages History Lesson

[memason]

A friend sent the following link to me. It's a very good read for the history of The Villages and the Schwartz/Morse family ... I learned a lot about the origins of the Villages, as well as the family businesses. In my mind, this is a true American success story and we are all a part of it.

Enjoy!

THE VILLAGES – HAROLD SCHWARTZ & SON, H GARY MORSE | THE VILLAGES SOCIAL DIARY (http://www.thevillagessocialdiary.com/2014/03/14/harold-schwartz-millionaire-h-gary-morse-billionaire/)

[asianthree]

Thanks for the article

[Steve & Deanna]

Great posting. Thank you.

[justjim]

Some history I have read before but this article "ties" it all together. The article reinforces my thoughts on taking advantage of opportunity when it arises and what "hard work" in this country can accomplish. Obviously leaving Michigan and moving to Florida changed Gary Morse and his family lives forever. That was not an easy decision.

[2BNTV]

Learned more by reading this article.

Thanks Mike for posting!!!!!

[Bonny]

It's very interesting to me. Being from Michigan and going to Brownwood and that whole area many times, I get the visual of everything while I'm reading.

[graciegirl]

A friend sent the following link to me. It's a very good read for the history of The Villages and the Schwartz/Morse family ... I learned a lot about the origins of the Villages, as well as the family businesses. In my mind, this is a true American success story and we are all a part of it.

Enjoy!

THE VILLAGES – HAROLD SCHWARTZ & SON, H GARY MORSE | THE VILLAGES SOCIAL DIARY (http://www.thevillagessocialdiary.com/2014/03/14/harold-schwartz-millionaire-h-gary-morse-billionaire/)


What a great link!!!! Now people can see why I have all this hero worship. Hard work and risking your own money and constantly improving what you are doing can literally build a city. Go Free ENterprise.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Nice article. some of it however, is simply cut and pasted from other articles I've read.

Something that I've always wondered about is a guy named Shay. I knew a long time resident of the historic district who unfortunately passed away about a year ago. He lived on Rainbow and was a very close friend of Harold Schwartz. He told me that at one time Schwartz had a partner named Shay, after whom Shay Blvd was named.

Does anyone know anything about Shay?

Of course, my friend was ninety three years old when he passed so he may not have remembered everything accurately.

[The Mountaineer]

What a fabulous story of a $2.5 billion empire. I can't wait for our three-month stay in January-March 2015. We dipped our toes in the water for two weeks in December. Now we'll jump in all the way up to our buns and see how we like it. What's not to like? I love golf and music and dancing, and Paula loves music and dancing and activities. We're chomping at the bit in Ohio to join the fun!

[Bonny]

What a fabulous story of a $2.5 billion empire. I can't wait for our three-month stay in January-March 2015. We dipped our toes in the water for two weeks in December. Now we'll jump in all the way up to our buns and see how we like it. What's not to like? I love golf and music and dancing, and Paula loves music and dancing and activities. We're chomping at the bit in Ohio to join the fun!
You'll have a blast for 3 months and you'll make lots of friends !!

[graciegirl]

A friend sent the following link to me. It's a very good read for the history of The Villages and the Schwartz/Morse family ... I learned a lot about the origins of the Villages, as well as the family businesses. In my mind, this is a true American success story and we are all a part of it.

Enjoy!

THE VILLAGES – HAROLD SCHWARTZ & SON, H GARY MORSE | THE VILLAGES SOCIAL DIARY (http://www.thevillagessocialdiary.com/2014/03/14/harold-schwartz-millionaire-h-gary-morse-billionaire/)

This link should be put somewhere where everyone can see it all the time. Is that a "sticky?"

[kwtoman]

Thank you, I am a history buff and especially love knowing about where I am living.

[Bonanza]

An absolutely enlightening bit of news.

Thank you!

[Villages Kahuna]

This is a great arrticle, concentrating mostly on the generations of the Shwartz-Morse family that created this wonderful place we live. But because it's short, a lot of detail got left out. When the article says simply that Harold and Gary decided to expand The Villages and "began to acquire land", a book could be written about that.

I've been told that most of the land around CR 466 and south, a huge tract, was owned by the Bailey family (Bailey Trail is a major road in TV). Bailey was a cattle and horse rancher and wanted to continue with that, not have houses built on his land. My understanding is that he and Harold Schwartz cut a deal whereby Schwartz and Morse would acquire a major pieve of ranchland up in the Panhandle area, near Lake City. The deal was that Schwartz and Bailey would trade land, 1-1/2 acres for Bailey up near Lake City and 1 acre for Schwartz so he could expand The Villages to the south. I have been told that the Bailey ranch is still operating near Lake City.

I actually ran into an elderly gentleman dressed in western clothing in the coffee line at Dunkin' Donuts one morning a couple years ago. I just said hello, but the fellow in line behind the gentleman began asking questions. Why the old man answered them is beyond me, but I was vicariously enjoying the "interview".

The basic facts were that the old man was born and lived in a farmhouse about where our softball fields are on CR466. That was the homestead for the Bailey ranch. He said that he and Harold Schwartz were good friends and often competed against one another in buying land in the area. He gave the example of the land where the Walmart is located on 441/27. He said that he and Swartz were bidding on a 190 acre tract that had an extensive frontage on 441, to buy both the land and all the cattle that were then on the land. He laughed when he said that Schwartz beat him out for the property by bidding $50 an acre, beating his $42 per acre bid.

Can you imagine? $50 an acre for that land!! Of course that property was adjacent to Orange Blossom Gardens which Schwartz and Morse were developing. But take a look at what's there now and think to yourself...$50 an acre. By having foresight and taking risk, the Morse family made a lot of money just on that transaction. And they earned every dime that they made.

[slipcovers]

In February 2013 there was a "grand opening" in Brownwood, although it was still very much unfinished. Anyhow, we went into the Sales office and the greeters were handing out brochures of the history of Brownwood. On the cover was a picture of cattle baron by the name of Brown but somehow I lost it and never got to read it. Later I found out that Garys mothers maiden name was Brown. Just wondering if it is just a coincidence or is there some connection. Anyone remember?

[TVMayor]

In February 2013 there was a "grand opening" in Brownwood, although it was still very much unfinished. Anyhow, we went into the Sales office and the greeters were handing out brochures of the history of Brownwood. On the cover was a picture of cattle baron by the name of Brown but somehow I lost it and never got to read it. Later I found out that Garys mothers maiden name was Brown. Just wondering if it is just a coincidence or is there some connection. Anyone remember?
BINGO!!!! I was told by a retired policeman living in TV that if he recalled correctly Mr. Brown that owns the property that people go across to get to WalMart on 441 is the brother of Gary’s wife and now it is said Brown is Gary’s mother’s name. It is looking like the property adjacent to the Historical District is family owned.

[graciegirl]

BINGO!!!! I was told by a retired policeman living in TV that if he recalled correctly Mr. Brown that owns the property that people go across to get to WalMart on 441 is the brother of Gary’s wife and now it is said Brown is Gary’s mother’s name. It is looking like the property adjacent to the Historical District is family owned.


Time out.

You are really messin' with us.

[TVMayor]

Time out.

You are really messin' with us.
If it walks like a duck and it talks like a duck, you have found Donald.

[slipcovers]

If it walks like a duck and it talks like a duck, you have found Donald.

What I am referring to is the land which is now Brownwood. If anyone will be near the sales office in Brownwood, go in and ask for the pamphlet that they were handing out Feb 2013 that has the story.

[dotti105]

The "story" of Brownwood is a fabricated, fairy tale story of the "History" of this newly build town square. It refers to events that "happened" in various locations in Brownwood and gives some dates as I recall. But it is all a "Disney-esque" back story for the development of Brownwood.

The sales office still has the "history of Brownwood" flyer, complete with map and details about events that "occurred" in various locations.

I am not saying this is bad. Not at all! It is a fun tale of this newly built town square which enriches it.

I believe the same is true of Spanish Springs. The story of Katy Belle's and the Cattle Barron etc.

I don't know about Lake Sumter.

The Villages has built "DisneyLand for adults" and the stories around the town squares are fun and very interesting. They probably included real names and events, pulled from other sources.

Wouldn't it be fun to know the back-story to the back-story?? Hmmmm.....

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The "story" of Brownwood is a fabricated, fairy tale story of the "History" of this newly build town square. It refers to events that "happened" in various locations in Brownwood and gives some dates as I recall. But it is all a "Disney-esque" back story for the development of Brownwood.

The sales office still has the "history of Brownwood" flyer, complete with map and details about events that "occurred" in various locations.

I am not saying this is bad. Not at all! It is a fun tale of this newly built town square which enriches it.

I believe the same is true of Spanish Springs. The story of Katy Belle's and the Cattle Barron etc.

I don't know about Lake Sumter.

The Villages has built "DisneyLand for adults" and the stories around the town squares are fun and very interesting. They probably included real names and events, pulled from other sources.

Wouldn't it be fun to know the back-story to the back-story?? Hmmmm.....

Walk around LSL and you'll find the same phony history of the buildings as well as the boats floating on the lake, that haven't moved in years, that are Villages owned and the phony shipwreck, the phony railroad tracks, etc., etc.

I agree it's fun stuff as long as you know that it's just fun stuff.

But I'd still love to know who Mr Shay was.

[dotti105]

Walk around LSL and you'll find the same phony history of the buildings as well as the boats floating on the lake, that haven't moved in years, that are Villages owned and the phony shipwreck, the phony railroad tracks, etc., etc.

I agree it's fun stuff as long as you know that it's just fun stuff.

But I'd still love to know who Mr Shay was.

Did you google him? That could help you track down the story.
Just a thought! Good luck!!

[Bonny]

Did you google him? That could help you track down the story.
Just a thought! Good luck!!
I tried to Google it. You really need a first name.

[graciegirl]

As we all know, Brownwood is based on a real place and Lake Sumter Landing and Spanish Springs, I've been told, were a result of the help of some real Disney designers. They are fantasy history, for the fun of it.


Do NOT forget. There is no PEE in Lake Sumter. ;)

[stealth]

I was born and raised 55 years ago where Brownwood is today. let me assure you that no one named Brown owned that property.

[Diva Kay]

Thoroughly enjoyed the artical. Lived here since April 2013 and never been happier.
In my second childhood and get to drive around in a matchbox car (golf cart). lol

[dirtbanker]

I was born and raised 55 years ago where Brownwood is today. let me assure you that no one named Brown owned that property.

Are you the chubby kid that lived over on Kokozen? :jester:

[SheilaO]

Very interesting article…I, too, am from MI and have visited Brownwood many times.
Makes the Villages even more impressive!!!

[LittleDog]

As we all know, Brownwood is based on a real place and Lake Sumter Landing and Spanish Springs, I've been told, were a result of the help of some real Disney designers. They are fantasy history, for the fun of it.


Do NOT forget. There is no PEE in Lake Sumter. ;)

Gracie, I was told that the designers were from Universal.

John