EATONVILLE, Fla. — Leaders in the historic Town of Eatonville are proposing a deal to Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) to purchase the Hungerford High School property, a site deeply tied to the town’s legacy. 

What You Need To Know

  • Eatonville leaders have offered to place the Hungerford property in a trust with oversight from key stakeholders

  • In exchange, they want a settlement fee to resolve ongoing litigation with Orange County Public Schools

  • Eatonville plans to use the land for economic growth, including a museum and retail spaces, which would benefit both the town and Orange County

  • The school district declined to comment on the proposal, citing pending litigation, and leaving the future of the historic property uncertain

The proposal could resolve a long-standing legal dispute over the future of the land, currently owned by the school district.

Eatonville Mayor Angie Gardner has confirmed that the town presented OCPS with an offer to place the property in a trust, ensuring oversight from the town, the school board and other stakeholders. In exchange, Eatonville would pay a fee to settle the lawsuit.

“We have presented Orange County School Board with a viable plan, and it's a plan that allows for representation from the school board, the town and other stakeholders to keep an eye on the land while the town determines how to use that land and what's best for us," Gardner said. 

The town’s vision for the property includes a museum, retail spaces and other developments aimed at increasing economic growth. Gardner emphasized the potential regional impact of these plans, stating that the development would benefit not only Eatonville but also Orange County.

“So when it comes to that land, it will be very important because in the master planning, we're also considering 'how do we increase economic development in the town, how do we bring more revenue?' And by having that land come into play in that planning process, that's huge for the town," Gardner said. 

Orange County Public Schools declined to provide detailed comments on the proposed deal, citing ongoing litigation. In a statement, the district said:

“We have no information to share at this time regarding the Eatonville property.”

The statement further reads, “The property is currently the subject of pending litigation, and the district does not comment on pending litigation.”

The property near I-4, Wymore Road and Kennedy Boulevard is vacant now, surrounded by chain-link fence and “No Trespassing” signs. 

The Orange County School Board originally planned to sell the land for a mixed-use commercial development. However, an attorney for Eatonville said the district couldn’t do so because a use restriction is in place, and a lawsuit was filed to block the sale.

The Hungerford property holds historical significance for Eatonville, one of the oldest African American towns in the United States. Originally part of the Robert Hungerford Normal and Industrial School, the land has long been a symbol of the town’s heritage and aspirations.

Gardner expressed hope that the school district will see the proposal as a partnership that honors Eatonville’s history while paving the way for a brighter economic future.