T: (407) 843-7060
F: (407) 843-5836
Toll Free:
1(800) 235-7060
236 South Lucerne Circle
at Delaney
Orlando, Florida 32801
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Personal Injury Lawyers
Serving Orlando and Throughout Florida
Historical Office Building
The building in which our law firm is presently located was built in approximately 1914 as the dream house of Elizabeth Shine Woodruff, wife of Seth Woodruff, County Tax Collector for many years in Orange County. The Woodruff and Shine families were extensive landholders in the Orange County area and families of great affluence.
The Woodruff home was the first all-brick building in Orlando. Its outer walls are comprised of solid brick, four layers thick. On the inside, the walls were initially painted with seven coats of paint. The home was rather lavishly appointed with tiles for the porch area imported from Italy. Among others, former Orlando Mayor William Beardall was present for the original housewarming of the new Woodruff home.
Of course, some changes have been made in the building as it appears today, as compared with what it was like in the early 1900's. For example, the upstairs room, which now serves as our conference room, was initially a conservatory. The conservatory was completely enclosed by windows, instead of the walls that appear on two sides today. Additionally, immediately below this conservatory, a drive-through portico for cars and other vehicles now holds offices.
Another difference in our building as it appears today from its original design is on the east side of the building. Originally, this was a sun porch but presently there are three offices in this area. The imported Italian tile previously mentioned can still be seen in the floor of this area.
The room, which currently serves as our library, was originally the main dining room. The back portion of our building, where our kitchen is currently located, was also the kitchen in the original home.
The "annex," or building in back of the main structure was originally designed to house servants. There were two entrances to the building, one on either side. There was a partition in the middle of the building, which kept the male and female servants separated.
Perhaps the major constructional flaw of the whole compound is noted in the "annex." On close examination, one can see a crack in the front wall of the building, running up and down the second story. Otherwise, the architectural design and construction of the entire compound appears to be impeccable.
Several interesting events have depicted the lives of those who have owned or lived in this building.
According to the Building’s lore, one of the previous owners met an untimely demise when their car drove off a bridge near New Smyrna Beach.
The home was also owned by an attorney who used the building for both his home and office. The way the story is told, he apparently fell upon hard times and committed suicide in the room south of the receptionist area, which currently comprises attorney office space.
Following his death, the building was next sold to another group of attorneys who practiced law here for a few years, passing the building on to our firm in 1966.
This building has had quite an interesting history and remains one of the finest structures in Orlando today. With its strategic location on the shores of Lake Lucerne, this building is seen and admired by many who live in or visit the Orlando area. It certainly provides a pleasant backdrop for our firms law practice, which includes personal injury, medical malpractice, defective products, liability, wrongful death, nursing home abuse and neglect and insurance disputes.
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Credentials / Community Involvement/Our Attorneys
Florida Personal Injury Lawyers
(800) 235-7060
Wooten, Honeywell, Kimbrough, Gibson,
Doherty & Normand
Professional Association
236 S. Lucerne Circle at Delaney
Orlando, FL 32801