Part of the City of Orlando’s historic preservation program, a Florida State Historical Marker was unveiled on Tuesday, May 19 at the Eppes-Shine Plot at Greenwood Cemetery. The plaque shares the story of two of Orlando’s earliest civic-minded families.
The Eppes and Shine families are descendants of President Thomas Jefferson. Francis Wayles Eppes VII, Jefferson’s grandson, moved to Orlando in 1869 to spend his final years as a citrus farmer at his home, Pine Hill on Lake Pineloch. He helped found the First Episcopal Church, now the Cathedral of St Luke’s.
“May is Historic Preservation Month and so it is appropriate that today, we are unveiling the Florida Historic Marker for the Eppes-Shine family,” District 4 City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said.
Three of the Shine Brothers married three daughters of Francis Eppes. David Shine became deputy clerk of Orange County and later postmaster. Captain Thomas J. Shine was the director of the First National Bank, a board of trade officer, an alderman and commander of the Orlando Guards, later named Shine Guards.
Thomas Shine built a home on Orange Avenue with the first indoor bathroom in Orlando. He named the cross street Jefferson Street in honor of his wife’s family.
Orlando has multiple historic neighborhoods and more than 50 historic landmarks.
“The plaque is one more way we continue to support our City’s historic preservation efforts,” Sheehan said.
