A HISTORY OF THE VILLAGES AT COUNTRY CREEK CONTINUED… THE NEW COMMUNITY – 1987-1990
Our story continues in May 1987 when Weiner Homes took title to property purchased in 1985 from the Winter Park Land Company, a development company from central Florida. Previously, the land was the site of the Floweree Citrus Grove—Estero, established in early 1900 by a Montana cattle baron, Daniel Augustus Green Floweree. It was Weiner Homes that developed the property that would become a new community and golf course called “the Villages at Country Creek.”
By August 1987, eight model homes were under construction south of the present site of the Clubhouse; however, it was not until December
that construction began on the clubhouse. As building progressed, it was discovered that trees of the old grove that had been cut down and buried in the 1970s were now infested with termites. In turn, the new homes built on those sites were also infested with termites. Early residents remember that entire homes were covered with tent-like structures in order to be completely fumigated. In February 1988, the Weiner Homes sales office opened and advertised a grand opening of model homes selling from $89,000 to $148,000, including equity membership. Lots on Butchers Holler sold first, and those homeowners took up residence beginning in May By October, 100 homes were sold. The golf course, designed by Gordon Lewis, opened in October 1988, and the Clubhouse was completed in July 1988, opening in January 1989. Some of the first residents were George and Terri Howard, Vince and Fran Gatti, Carmen and Marie Sciolto, George and Dorothy Brush, Ravis and Eloise Prueitt, Paul and Barb Devaney, Sheila Lawrence, Doug and Cheryl Hoyt, and Bill and Barb Crassman. Ken and Mary Barrett were the first residents on Blacksmith Forge.
By 1989, 200 homes were completed, including manor homes, patio homes and fairway homes. Jeanne Rubado was the first golf pro. Country Creek had its own TV channel (Channel 19) that included a video tour of Country Creek. The first president of the members group, Alliance, was Ted Zurcher. Some new residents were Harold and Marie Appelquist, Dick and Bonnie Oelkers, Betsy Baker, Bob and Carol Clark, Larry and Carol Westin, Ambrose and Eileen Galvin, Gordon and Virginia Cole, Joe and Barb Vitello,
Roland and Justine Jolie, Dee Mason, and Michael Schultz. Justine Jolie and a few others organized the first Ladies Golf Association. Justine was its first president. C&S Town Home, a land holding company purchased by GE Financial Group, then bought the community from Weiner
homes, and C&S negotiated a contract with US Homes to construct single-family homes, golf villas, and condominiums to eventually complete the community. Two pools and another tennis court were in the plans.
By 1990, Country Creek was a community of about 250 homes, yet it was still a rural area. There was no grocery store nearby, no gas station, no bank; those were yet to come.
NEXT MONTH: THE NINETIES—1990-1999
