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The business places of our
city were closed Tuesday afternoon between the hours or 1:30 to
3:30 in honor of the memory of Charles S. Donaldson, 84,
prominent and beloved citizen of Avon Park.
He was the founder of our Mall, and the originator of the
movement to develop Highlands Hammock as a state park.
Both are living memorials to him.
Mr. Donaldson death at Walker Memorial Hospital early
Saturday morning, May 3, closed a long and full life.
Chief of the consular division of the Federal Government from
1906 to 1916, he had previously been a northern newspaper
editor, publisher, and journalist. At one time, he was
associated with the Western Newspaper Union in Charlotte, N.C.
He was also editor of official trade papers for the Federal
Government. A citrus grower here, he was noted for his
expert knowledge of plants.
He first came to Avon Park on a visit in 1899, returning to
settle here in 1917. He became a civic leader, Highlands
Post No. 69 of the American Legion awarding him a large silver
cup "in recognition of the most outstanding, meritorious, and
unselfish service to the City of Avon Park during the year
1926." He was Mayor of Avon Park for two full terms, being
chosen to fill out the term of Mayor William King, accidentally
killed on February 11, 1929, and then re-elected. It was
during his terms as Mayor that the mile-long Mall, a distinctive
feature of our city, was laid out from plans from the late L.H.
Park, architect. Mr. Donaldson planted the Mall with
Jacaranda trees, palms, and other plants, including the exotic
cactus garden, contributing his own labor, time and plant
specimens as a free gift to his community.
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3
N. Museum Avenue
