Correspondence Between Richard Edgerton and Governor Haydon Burns Regarding Potential Work Relating to Walt Disney World, 1966

Hospitality industry

Amusement parks--Planning

Letter from Richard Edgerton, president of the Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora, to Governor Haydon Burns, indirectly asking for help getting involved with hotel and restaurant operations associated with Walt Disney World. In his response, Burns notes that his personal direct involvement with Disney World was not yet a reality. Another letter from Edgerton to Burns following the governor's response is included.

Burns, Haydon (William Haydon), 1912-1987

Edgerton, Richard, 1911-2001

State Archives of Florida, Series S131

1966

letters (correspondence)

eng-US

Text

s131_b018_f02_07

Postwar Florida (1945-1968)

Mount Dora (Fla.)

Lake County (Fla.)

Orlando (Fla.)

Orange County (Fla.)

Osceola County (Fla.)

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Walt Disney World Resort (Fla.)

Lakeside Inn Properties, Inc. (Mount Dora, Fla.)

Florida. Governor (1965-1967 : Burns)

Disney, Walter Elias, 1901-1966

LAKESIDE INN PROPERTIES, INC. MOUNT DORA, FLORIDA 32757 RICHARD EDGERTON PRESIDENT 904/383-4580 RECEIVED SEP 23 1966 GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TALLAHASSEE,FLORIDA September 22, 1966 The Honorable Hayden Burns Governor of the State of Florida State Capital Tallahassee, Florida Dear Hayden:- It was with special interest that I read in this morning’s Orlando Sentinel that you might become associated with the Walt Disney project in the near future. Whether or not this item is factual it most certainly is logical. For your information, I am very much interested in becoming associated with this project, more especially in the hotel, motel and restaurant development and operation. I have had correspondence when the proper time arrives. Mr. Disney, an ardent lawn bowling fan, flew all the way from the Burbank Tournament, while I headed that organization. He is a great fellow. With warm regards and continued good wishes, I am Very sincerely, Richard Edgerton President

Mr. Richard Edgerton, President Lakeside Inn Properties, Inc. Mount Dora, Florida 32757 Dear Dick: Thank you very much for your kind note. I regret that the newspapers are merely speculative in their references to the possibilities of my being associated with the Walt Disney project in the near future. This development is probably more than three years off and does not lend itself to the heavy executive expense at this time. I commented to some friends that if business was justified I would be interested in establishing a second office and a residence in the Orlando area after the first of the year. Primarily my objective would be to get away from Jacksonville and its local politics. It was most kind of you to write, and I hope that if you are in the vicinity of the Capitol during the remainder of this administration that I shall have the pleasure of your visit to the office. Kindest regards. Sincerely, Governor HB / 1r

LAKESIDE INN PROPERTIES, INC. MOUNT DORA, FLORIDA 32757 RICHARD EDGERTON PRESIDENT 904 / 383-4580 October 21, 1966 Honorable Haydon Burns, Governor State of Florida Tallahassee, Florida Dear Haydon: Thank you so much for your extremely cordial letter of October 7 and I will most certainly accept your invitation to call you should I be anywhere near Tallahassee during the remainder of your administration. Since my return to Florida I have been looking for something a bit more challenging than running Lakeside Inn and if I run into something which I feel might appeal to you I will certainly give you a call. Warm regards. Sincerely, Dick Richard Edgerton RE:er RECEIVED OCT 24 1966 GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA