The Charles H. Tilden Home

The beautiful home is located in a neighborhood that's been known by three distinct names over the past 150 years. When Oakland's town limits stretched east to Tildenville School Road, the house was officially in Oakland. As Oakland's borders grew smaller, Winter Garden grew west, and today the home is in Winter Garden. Unincorporated Tildenville is the name of the area that stretches from Lake Apopka, down Tildenville School Road and along Oakland Avenue for a bit , and then along Avalon Road where agricultural workers for the Tilden and Hurley families lived in little wooden houses built by those citrus growers. Thus, many people will say that the home is located in Tildenville.

Confusing? We are asked about all the above several times annually by people moving into the region. As historians, we know that the facts lay in the details!

The Charles H. Tilden home was constructed c. 1906 by Tildenville pioneer Luther Fuller Tilden's (1834-1929) oldest son, Charles Herbert Tilden (1860-1933). Named Oakland Arms by a later owner, it has recently been sold by the survivors of the family who lived here from 1978.

Jim and Will of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation were privileged to tour the home recently. Jim had been to Christmas parties a few times in the past, and every visit was a breathtaking trip back to a time when large, gracious homes such as these were the center of a town's social life.

Let these photographs tell its story. Some are recent, and some date back about ten years to an unforgettable Christmas party.

The rain cistern, which doubled as a swimming pool for area children a century ago.

The coffered walls in this room are covered with panels made from inexpensive pine. Mr. Tilden was captivated by the beautiful grain in the wood. Seasoned by decades of care, it looks as fresh and new today as it did when it was installed.

A pie crust side table, perfect for a cup of tea and a diary.

December 30, 2014- a Christmas party.

The bricking along the sides of this stunning fireplace is curved.

Beautifully carved details abound throughout the home.

Terracotta fireplace trim.

These photographs are just a small taste of the times spent here appreciating the beautiful architectural details. We're fortunate to have, in the region, several Tilden structures still standing: the two Luther Fuller Tilden homes on the block just north of the post office on Tildenville School Road: the large blue house was constructed c. 1905 and its smaller predecessor c. 1878. Meadow Marsh, the grand mansion begun by Luther Fuller Tilden and completed by his son Luther Willis Tilden, stands north of Oakland Avenue on the left. The original and smaller Charles H. Tilden home- the McKinnon office- is located across the street from the mansion.

The avenue of oaks ranged along Oakland Avenue is also attributed to the Tildens and their Sadler relations. Along with those gorgeous trees goes the tale of a family scion holding off with a shotgun a potential tree removal crew.

All these homes are visible from the road, best viewd by bicycle or on foot. The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation staff gives walking and biking tours in many area locations such as Tildenville. We'd love to host you and share our history- call us at 407-656-3244.