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Highlands Today

Nan-Ces-O-Wee Memories

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Eugene Sauls

Published: October 17, 2007

The article on the purchase of the Nan-Ces-O-Wee Hotel was very interesting, and it brought back many memories of the past. The glass brick that appeared in one of the pictures was the front of Fisher's Coffee Shop that my father, Fisher Sauls, opened in 1939 or 1940. It is intriguing to note that the Sebring Cafe was located where the park is now located on Ridgewood Drive next to the hotel. This was an arcade building with much history.

Fisher Sauls and Ramond Canto were the co-owners of the Sebring Cafe. After many years the partnership dissolved on a friendly basis and dad opened Fisher's Coffee Shop, a few doors down next to the entrance of the hotel. At that time King's Hardware Store was in this location and moved next door so that Dad's coffee shop could be next door to the lobby of the hotel. It was a first-class cafe for the times and remained such during World War II.

Dad sold this restaurant when he returned from serving in the war and then put all his efforts into Fisher's Restaurant, which he opened just prior to being drafted into the U.S. Army. Like most restaurants, cafes of that time had hours from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. seven days a week, with no holidays or vacations. Some folks will remember both of these fine restaurants or at least Fisher's Restaurant on the Circle in downtown Sebring. Good memories!

Another point that took me back in time was the fact that the printed name, Nan-Ces-O-Wee, appeared on the north corner of the hotel, at the very top facing north; also, there was a mural of Princess Nan-ces-o-wee. I'm sure that it is long gone, and again, history has taken its toll. But more pleasant memories!

Like so many old communities in our great state, history is disappearing because perhaps there is a lack of interest, or maybe the old timers who remembered our colorful past have died and neglected to write anything down on paper for the future generation to read or explore.

Not so many years ago, my good friend Bucky Kahn and I drove down the Avenue of History:

Ridgewood Drive. We started on the north end where the caution light is located and then drove to the south end where Ridgewood and Lakeview Drive meet. We would ask one another: who and what was there? This, too, brought back memories, and what fun it was to live in the past once again for only a few moments.

Now we all know history is a record of the past, but it should be noted that our local historical society has so much to offer about our town. You are always welcome to visit and browse into the past. By the way, Lake Placid and Avon Park also have historical societies and offer history not only to those interested in the early days of each city, but also information about the area and Highlands County in general.

The pioneers of yesterday are gone, but they left a history of this great county that will live forever. Thanks to them, this is a better place to live because of their vision and hard work. Collectively these citizens pulled together and cared for one another. I wonder what someone will write 50 years from now about our history of changes? What will be remembered?

Eugene Sauls

Sebring

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