Bob Carr (Florida politician)
Encyclopedia
Robert Spencer Carr was mayor of Orlando, Florida
from 1956 to 1967. The Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
is named for him.
Carr was born in 1899 in Toledo, Ohio
to William C. and Cora Elizabeth Carr. In 1939, Carr (then a businessman) organized the Community Chest of Orlando, the community's first annual fund drive conducted to support local charitable organizations and the forerunner of the Heart of Florida United Way organization. In 1945, while he was serving as president of the Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce, he contributed to the establishment of the Orlando Negro Chamber of Commerce, the predecessor to the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. In 1954 he was one of a group of Florida community leaders who established the state's Easter Seals
organization.
As mayor he formed a Human Relations Committee to address race relations and peacefully desegregate
the community.
The defining event in shaping modern Orlando occurred during Carr's term as mayor when, in 1965, Walt Disney
announced plans to build Walt Disney World outside the city.
Carr died while in office on January 29, 1967 after suffering a heart attack. Carl T. Langford
succeeded him as mayor.
His son, Robert Carr, Jr., has been active in Orlando politics.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
from 1956 to 1967. The Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
The Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre is a major performing arts auditorium in Orlando, Florida and seats 2,518. It is part of the larger Orlando Centroplex organization which manages several facilities....
is named for him.
Carr was born in 1899 in Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
to William C. and Cora Elizabeth Carr. In 1939, Carr (then a businessman) organized the Community Chest of Orlando, the community's first annual fund drive conducted to support local charitable organizations and the forerunner of the Heart of Florida United Way organization. In 1945, while he was serving as president of the Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce, he contributed to the establishment of the Orlando Negro Chamber of Commerce, the predecessor to the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. In 1954 he was one of a group of Florida community leaders who established the state's Easter Seals
Easter Seals
Easter Seals is an international charitable organization devoted to providing opportunities for children with physical disabilities. See*Easter Seals *Easter Seals *Easter Seals...
organization.
As mayor he formed a Human Relations Committee to address race relations and peacefully desegregate
Desegregation
Desegregation is the process of ending the separation of two groups usually referring to races. This is most commonly used in reference to the United States. Desegregation was long a focus of the American Civil Rights Movement, both before and after the United States Supreme Court's decision in...
the community.
The defining event in shaping modern Orlando occurred during Carr's term as mayor when, in 1965, Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
announced plans to build Walt Disney World outside the city.
Carr died while in office on January 29, 1967 after suffering a heart attack. Carl T. Langford
Carl T. Langford
Carl T. Langford was the Mayor of Orlando, Florida from 1967 to 1980. He was also one of the first two Eagle Scouts in the state to be awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. Langford died on July 9, 2011 at the age of 92....
succeeded him as mayor.
His son, Robert Carr, Jr., has been active in Orlando politics.