Hello everyone! This past week has been incredibly busy and interesting. It was my first week back to ROTC physical training (which kicked my butt) and preparation of Cadet Summer Training next year (which will decide my army career). However, my internship research has been fascinating. The first research topic I covered for my internship was Charles Lord and Orlando's Swans.
Born in West Yorkshire, England, Charles Lord moved to Orlando in 1885 where he married his wife, Alice, the same year. Missing the majestic swans of the River Thames, Lord bought four swans in 1910 and shipped them to his residence at Lake Lucerne. His wife Alice died on March 6, 1927, and Lord married her sister, Marion Taylor Holt, less than seven months later! Lord passed in December of 1932, and the Orlando community mourned his loss greatly. However, his legacy continued through his swans.
Of the four swans Lord brought to Orlando, Billy quickly became the most famous during his reign over Lake Lucerne from 1910-1933. He earned a multitude of nicknames due to his territorial and angry behavior. Some nicknames included "The Tyrant of Lake Lucerne", "The King of Lake Lucerne" and my personal favorite "Billy Bluebeard". The last name has an incredibly interesting past. Taken from a French folklore written by Charles Perault in 1697, Billy rightfully earned his name when he drowned his mate Sally, and another mate later in his life, much like the folklore character Bluebeard, who murdered all of his wives. Billy chased cars, nipped at passing children, and even caused a fight between the other two original swans, who had to be moved to Lake Eola in 1922. Billy died in 1933 and was so revered by the community that he was taxidermied, and he is currently in the collection of the Orange County Regional History Center.
The swans of Lake Eola have an interesting history as well. A host to five species of swans such as the Black Neck and Royal Mute swans, Lake Eola is an incredibly beautiful park with a multitude of ways to interact with the majestic swans. Spinach, lettuce, and duck pellets are located around the park that visitors can feed to the swans. There are also swan boats that can be rented by visitors to join the swans swimming on the lake.
It has been riveting learning about Charles Lord and his swans. This Friday I will attend a lunch and learn luncheon at the Orange County Regional Center with Mrs. Boye where we will get an exclusive tour of the center with the curator! I will make sure to take pictures to include in future blog posts. I hope to get some work done on my next research topic, July Perry and the Ocoee Massacre before my next blog if time permits. I hope you have a fantastic week and I look forward to telling more about my research in the future.
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