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30 pieces of Orlando trivia you might not know

By on Fri, Sep 4, 2015 at 7:09 pm

Which popular lake is actually giant sinkhole? What building got blown up in Lethal Weapon 3?

Think you know Orlando? Guess again. We're bringing you some hidden gems in Orlando's history, and no, we won't be reminding you that *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys formed here.

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President Richard Nixon said his infamous line “I’m not a crook” at the Disney Contemporary Resort on Nov. 17, 1973. Photo via Associated Press
President Richard Nixon said his infamous line “I’m not a crook” at the Disney Contemporary Resort on Nov. 17, 1973.
Photo via Associated Press
The local speakeasy Hanson's Shoe Repair is located inside one of Orlando's oldest buildings, which displayed the city's first electric sign in the early 1900s. Photo via Facebook
The local speakeasy Hanson's Shoe Repair is located inside one of Orlando's oldest buildings, which displayed the city's first electric sign in the early 1900s.
Photo via Facebook
Martin Luther King, Jr. gave a speech at Tinker Field in March 1964 about integration and racial equality. The civil rights leader advocated peaceful protests during a time when Orlando was still segregated.Photo via Wesh 2 News
Martin Luther King, Jr. gave a speech at Tinker Field in March 1964 about integration and racial equality. The civil rights leader advocated peaceful protests during a time when Orlando was still segregated.
Photo via Wesh 2 News
The Orlando Public Library is the largest public library in the state at 290,000 square feet. It is also an internationally renowned example of the Brutalist school of architecture. Photo via Flickr
The Orlando Public Library is the largest public library in the state at 290,000 square feet. It is also an internationally renowned example of the Brutalist school of architecture.
Photo via Flickr
Lake Baldwin used to be a naval training base, and took its name from Robert H.B. Baldwin, the former Secretary of the Navy.Photo via Baldwin Park FL
Lake Baldwin used to be a naval training base, and took its name from Robert H.B. Baldwin, the former Secretary of the Navy.
Photo via Baldwin Park FL
Aaron Jernigan became the first person to settle in Orange County in 1843. Before changing the name of the city to Orlando, it was called Jernigan to honor his contribution to the community. Photo via findagrave
Aaron Jernigan became the first person to settle in Orange County in 1843. Before changing the name of the city to Orlando, it was called Jernigan to honor his contribution to the community.
Photo via findagrave
UCF graduates Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez wrote, directed and edited the 1999 cult-classic horror film The Blair Witch Project. Photo via Facebook
UCF graduates Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez wrote, directed and edited the 1999 cult-classic horror film The Blair Witch Project.
Photo via Facebook
In 1986, the Orlando Sentinel had readers submit their picks for the name of the City’s future NBA franchise and the finalists were the “Heat,” the “Tropics,” the “Juice” and the “Magic.” Photo via National Basketball Association
In 1986, the Orlando Sentinel had readers submit their picks for the name of the City’s future NBA franchise and the finalists were the “Heat,” the “Tropics,” the “Juice” and the “Magic.”
Photo via National Basketball Association
John Lennon of The Beatles signed the contract to effectively end the most lauded band of all-time at Disney World's Polynesian Hotel in 1974. Photo via Plasticos y Decibelios
John Lennon of The Beatles signed the contract to effectively end the most lauded band of all-time at Disney World's Polynesian Hotel in 1974.
Photo via Plasticos y Decibelios
Near the end of World War II, the USDA began experiments with the insecticide DDT in Orlando. It was banned in 1972 after scientists discovered that it was harmful to eagles. Photo via Flickr
Near the end of World War II, the USDA began experiments with the insecticide DDT in Orlando. It was banned in 1972 after scientists discovered that it was harmful to eagles.
Photo via Flickr
The entire city of San Francisco could fit inside of the Walt Disney Resort. Both are about 40 square miles in size. Photo via Flickr
The entire city of San Francisco could fit inside of the Walt Disney Resort. Both are about 40 square miles in size.
Photo via Flickr
Writer and beat poet Jack Kerouac lived in College Park when his book On the Road was published in 1957. Photo via Instagram
Writer and beat poet Jack Kerouac lived in College Park when his book On the Road was published in 1957.
Photo via Instagram
Lake Eola is actually a giant sinkhole. It covers an area of 23 acres, and its deepest point is 23 feet. Photo via Flickr
Lake Eola is actually a giant sinkhole. It covers an area of 23 acres, and its deepest point is 23 feet.
Photo via Flickr
Two UCF students, George Hatcher and Taranjeet Singh Bhatia, were finalists for the Mars One voyage, a privately funded colonizing mission to Mars. Photo via Mars One
Two UCF students, George Hatcher and Taranjeet Singh Bhatia, were finalists for the Mars One voyage, a privately funded colonizing mission to Mars.
Photo via Mars One
Television personality Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood used to live in Winter Park, and was a graduate of Rollins College. Photo via Orlando Weekly
Television personality Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood used to live in Winter Park, and was a graduate of Rollins College.
Photo via Orlando Weekly
The building that explodes at the beginning of Lethal Weapon 3 was Orlando's very own city hall. The building was demolished in 1991. Photo via Orlando Weekly
The building that explodes at the beginning of Lethal Weapon 3 was Orlando's very own city hall. The building was demolished in 1991.
Photo via Orlando Weekly
Rosalind Avenue is named after the character Orlando’s love interest in Shakespeare’s "As You Like It." Photo via Instagram
Rosalind Avenue is named after the character Orlando’s love interest in Shakespeare’s "As You Like It."
Photo via Instagram
Semoran Boulevard got its name because it runs from Seminole county to Orange County (Sem-Oran). Photo via Flickr
Semoran Boulevard got its name because it runs from Seminole county to Orange County (Sem-Oran).
Photo via Flickr
Las Vegas is the only city in America with more hotel rooms than Orlando. Photo via Sin City Getaways
Las Vegas is the only city in America with more hotel rooms than Orlando.
Photo via Sin City Getaways
Orlando resident Col. Joe Kittinger was the first person to make a solo crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by gas balloon in 1978. Photo via Flickr
Orlando resident Col. Joe Kittinger was the first person to make a solo crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by gas balloon in 1978.
Photo via Flickr
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