WDBO-AM  580
Orlando

WDBO History
1924-It began as a physics class project. In May  E.F.  Wineberg, a Rollins College math, physics and engineering professor, launched  a 50-watt radio station in a small wooden building on the Winter Park campus. The first night's programming - less than an hour - included talks by college officials, a violin solo and a performance by the men's glee club, according to the Rollins newspaper that week. It was the first radio station in Orange County and only the third in  Florida. WDBO operated at 1250 on the dial with 50 watts of power for thirty hours a week. There are some conflicting stories surrounding the call letters. Some research says the call letters were issued in alphabetical sequence as was the policy of the time.  There was WDBN Bangor, Maine, and WDBP, in Superior, Wisconsin. That would make the next set of call letters WDBO. Other research shows a request for the call letters WDBO to stand for "Way Down By Orlando." If the first story is true it sure was a great coincidence for Rollins College. The original studios were alongside the tennis courts on the campus of Rollins College During the initial broadcast, announcer Dean Sprague said "...anybody who can hear this..." would receive a box of oranges from the Gentile Brothers Packing House, if they would send a postcard to verify the signal was being heard. Cards came from Orlando, Apopka and Sanford. On that first broadcast day some of the programming included the Rollins Men's Glee Club singing, "Rollins Goes Rolling Along." And "Taps" was played on a bugle at sign-off. On-air programming started at 8:45pm and signed off 1 hour 5 minutes later. Because school was about to close for the summer, the station shut down  after just a few days until that October. In the fall of 1924, programming  resumed with frequent concerts and the broadcasting of college lectures. The station's only employee then was engineer and announcer Harold  Danforth, who was paid $250 a year. Danforth eventually would rise to  president and general manager of the station.
  
1925-A ship in the Pacific picks up WDBO's signal, making headlines all over the state of Florida. Meanwhile, WDBO is permitted to increase power to 100 watts.

1927-The station began broadcasting from the "new"  Fort Gatlin Hotel in Orlando. Programming featured groups, including The Beasley Band. Colonel Johnston's Orlando Broadcasting Co. takes full control of WDBO. The FRC authorizes WDBO to operate at 1040 kilocycles, with power of 1,000-watts daytime, 500-watts nighttime. 1928-WDBO officials asked the City of Orlando to buy the station, saying it would go off the air because Johnston refused to comply with new rules set by the Federal Radio Commission. The City Council agreed to put the matter to a  referendum, but the city's residents turned down the purchase.

1929-WDBO programming was broadcast from the traffic tower at the intersection of Central and Orange Aves in 1926. Traffic control towers served as a bridge between the times when Police officers directed traffic while standing in the roadway and when automatically controlled signals were installed. The "crow's nest" elevated the officer above traffic so  he would have a clear view of  traffic in all directions while he manipulated the colored lights. Broadcast time was increased to fifty hours per week. 1930-In March, the station became a part-time affiliate of the CBS Radio Network, which  brought national advertising to its new chain of five South Atlantic stations.  1931-WDBO became a full-time CBS Radio Network affiliate in June.

1944-The Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944 destroyed the roof of the WDBO studios, in the Angebilt Hotel in downtown Orlando. WDBO's north tower in Dubsdread blew down. WDBO set up temporary studios in Orlando's 
Orange Court Hotel. (Right)
1947-WDBO moves in to its studios on South Ivanhoe Boulevard on the shores of Lake Ivanhoe.  
1948-WDBO signs on Orlando's first FM station operating on 92.3mhz with 34,000-watts of power
1949-You could hear "The Goldbergs" on Friday evenings.
1950-Orlando Broadcasting Company founder, Col. Johnston died. WDBO employees acquired the shares of the company and named Harold Danforth president.   
1983-WDBO becomes an affiliate of the ABC Radio Network   

                               
                                                                        WDBO Ivanhoe studios-courtesy of Dennis Snyder
                                                                                        Click photo fro full sized view

In 1947 the radio station WDBO-AM 580 moved into this building to use as it's main studios. In 1986 WDBO moved from this building to its current home on John Young Parkway. This building was rented by a number of people from 1986 on, with its last tenant being Strollo Architects, Inc. The building is now in its beginning stages of disrepair, and has closed it's doors. The future of the building has been determined as being torn down and replaced with a twin tower 34-story condominium complex and 37-story condominium complex with retail and restaurants called Orlando Palace Towers.
1986-WDBO studios are moved from Ivanhoe Boulevard (above) to its current home on John Young Parkway
1991-The Gulf War creates a demand for talk radio. WDBO picks up the Rush Limbaugh Show. Music is completely phased out and other shows, including Bruce Williams, Sally Jesse Raphael and Larry King are phased in.

                                                                  For More WDBO History see page 2