Orlando Rubber Stamps and Sign Co., Inc.

My grandfather, R. C. de Guehery, moved to Orlando from Hannibal, Missouri in 1937 or 1938 with his wife Lois and two sons, Lindsey and Bill. They lived in Merritt Park which is the neighborhood near Harry P. Leu Gardens. Lois passed away in 1938 leaving a life insurance policy worth $25,000 which was a very large amount of money in those times.

Grandpa moved to a rooming house and began contemplating opening up his own business. Lindsey left Rollins to join the Navy, flying search and rescue missions in the South Pacific for two and a half years. My Dad also joined the Army but was eventually released due to poor health.
While Uncle Lindsey was away Grandpa wrote letters in which he talks about seeing soldiers from different countries. “Today I passed two French officers and a few days ago a Scottish officer dressed up in fancy plaid trousers and carrying a 'swagger stick.'” He said there were dozens of Generals and some Admirals going to school here and it “added color and interest to Orange Avenue”. He had a good view of Orange from his first office at 120 N. Orange Avenue, the O’Neal Arcade.
Relatives Paul and Elizabeth de Guehery had immigrated here from Germany and Paul became Grandpa’s first partner in the rubber stamp business. They worked together for several years before Paul and Elizabeth relocated to California.
Lindsey got out of the service in September of 1945 and came back to finish his degree at Rollins. He worked for Grandpa during those years travelling and developing the customer base . He purchased property on Via Tuscany and lived in a trailer there until his house was built. During this time he also raised goats. Winter Park was different back then. In 1949, Lindsey left for Missouri to study to become a Chiropractor.
My Dad was working for Fairchild as an ambulance driver and embalmer. We moved into Uncle Lindsey's house while he was away. During this period Grandpa moved in with us because it was difficult to find an apartment due to all of the military people stationed here. So this really helped them out. Grandpa moved his business to 105 E. Garland Street around 1950.Lindsey returned in 1952 and opened his practice on Comstock Avenue. Dad left the funeral business and started working for Grandpa and, around 1955, they moved the business to 104 1/2 West Central Blvd. It was upstairs right on the railroad tracks. The business stayed there until the early 60’s when they moved to 64 W. Robinson Street, where we are still located today.

To update: Robinson Street was demolished for development and after 60 plus years at that location have moved down to 71 Drennen Road, 32806. It's about 3 miles down on Orange Avenue