The Tangerine Improvement Society, Inc.

Florida’s Tangerine Improvement Society (TIS) was founded on April 3, 1909 by local Tangerine women “for the improvement in every way of the interests of the town.” Men were later admitted in 1920. Today, TIS is the oldest uninterrupted Neighborhood Association in Orange County.

Johnston Hall (Est. 1912, rebuilt 1973)
William H. Earl donated the land on which this hall sits. Its first name was Tangerine Hall, later changed to Tangerine Community Hall, and then to Johnston Hall, in honor of Mr. Cecil Johnston in 1981. Today many of the residents simply refer to it as the “TIS Hall.”

Planning for the Tangerine Park was begun by the residents in 1927, and a site was selected in the center of town near the church. The land originally was a part of R.J. Wright’s homestead, later owned by Mr. Dixon, then Mr. Bonjing, and finally Mr. Bidwell.  George Bidwell sold the property for a community park for $4,000, and the deed to the Tangerine Improvement Society was recorded on July 16, 1937. In 2008, facing rising liability and insurance costs, TIS deeded the 3-acre parcel to Orange County in order to ensure the land always remained open as a community park.  Orange County has proved to be a very responsible steward of the now named “Tangerine Community Park” and has made many upgrades and improvements for the community’s enjoyment.