October 21, 1924
The city of Belle Isle in southern Orange County received its charter. The city separated from neighboring Pine Castle.
Belle Isle was home of poet and early settler William Wallace Harney who built the castle made of native pine in the late 1800s
Today, this stone marker is all that remains at the castle's site. Now, the city is home to more than 5,600 people.
October 22, 1971
Many who were used to seeing fire engine red got a bit of a surprise. The Maitland Fire Department painted its second fire truck white, eventually changing the color for the entire fleet.
The fire chief said it was to increase the trucks' visibility on the road. But, the change was short-lived.
Firefighters felt motorists, accustomed to seeing red, simply ignored the trucks.
Maitland switched back to red in 1981.
October 23, 1981
U.S. District Court Judge George C. Young celebrated his retirement.
Young came to Orlando in 1963 when the city's district was established.
He was the first federal judge in the city and remained the only one until the early 70s.
Young was instrumental in bringing Orange, Seminole and Brevard counties through the period of desegregation.
Today, the federal court building on Hughey Avenue bears his name.
October 24, 1990
The Space Shuttle Atlantis was declared fit for flight, after passing a critical fuel-line test.
NASA engineers were excited to learn that the system was tight and ready to go, especially since the shuttle's planned July mission was canceled because of a leaky valve.
Atlantis went up twice in 1990, in February and in November, both times on a classified mission carrying spy satellites for the military.
October 25, 1991
Orlando's first City Hall building was demolished, just in time for a cameo appearance in the major motion picture "Lethal Weapon 3."
The building, built in 1958, was the second building to house Orlando city officials.
Today, the third City Hall, now stands at the corner of South Street and Orange Avenue.
October 26, 1886
The Orlando Water Company made its debut next to Lake Ivanhoe. It siphoned water from the lake to service the community.
Thirty-seven years later, the city took it over and it became the Orlando Utilities Commission.
Over the years, other facilities have come and gone. Today, OUC has several locations and services more than 150,000 customers.
October 27, 1986
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Titusville got recognition for the last battle of the Revolutionary War, fought off the coast of Cape Canaveral.
A historical marker at Jetty Park in Cocoa Beach now commemorates the battle of March 10, 1783. That's when an American ship and a French vessel carrying gold were attacked by a British warship.
Several Kiwanis clubs worked together to raise the $1,200 price tag for the monument.