James Russell Grant, with his wife Ruth and children, moved to Longwood in 1945. The Grants quickly made friends and soon became involved in the community. When the Seminole County School Board wanted to close Lyman School and bus students, grades one through twelve, to Sanford for school, Grant was a leader among the residents who insisted Lyman School remain open.
In 1948, he partnered with Frank Griffin, a friend and Longwood resident. Together, they repaired bulldozers, draglines, and other heavy equipment. Later, Grant formed Grant’s Crawler Parts and Service. Inc. He maintained his bulldozer repair, welding, and parts business until his semi-retirement around 1980.
Mr. Grant was deeply involved with the City of Longwood. Using his time and resources, he used his tractor to clear the once-dirt path that is now Grant Street so people could get to the cemetery.
He was a volunteer firefighter and was involved in getting Longwood’s first fire truck in 1950. Through the ’60s and early ’70s, he served on Longwood’s Planning Board. He worked diligently to change Longwood’s agricultural zoning to include residential, commercial, and industrial areas that would provide a better growth balance and a secure tax base for the city.
He aimed to make Longwood a place where people could work and live. He wanted to see Longwood self-sufficient, having everything residents needed: jobs, hospitals, banks, doctors, and nursing homes. At that time, the citizens of Longwood had to go to Sanford, Orlando, or other cities to get these services.
When the City was in financial trouble in 1974, Mr. Grant ran for and was elected as a city councilman and then Chairman of the Board. Since the City was financially strapped, he and Councilman Bud Scott persuaded the Council to serve without pay. He held the City Council/Commissioner seat from 1975 to 1985 and served as Mayor in 1984.
During his tenure, Mr. Grant was considered a progressive and stabilizing voice.
He was recognized for dealing effectively with the City’s financial problems and streamlining and upgrading city departments. Critical infrastructure, including the water and sewer systems, was improved and expanded. The Police Department was upgraded, and a full-time Fire Department was implemented, with mandatory certification for all fire personnel. A second fire station was also constructed on the city’s east side, providing better protection for residents east of the railroad tracks.
Mr. Grant believed his most significant political accomplishment was attracting and getting South Seminole Hospital and its adjoining Psychiatric Center built on a former orange grove on SR 434. There was heated opposition to allowing the hospital complex to be built. Many residents wanted the developing city to remain a sleepy little town. The hospital has become a significant asset for Longwood and its residents and has provided many employment opportunities.
In addition to city politics, Mr. Grant was active in civic and school activities. He was instrumental in getting lighting for the original Lyman High School football field. Without illumination, night games were being played at other schools. Having no school allotment for band uniforms, he spearheaded getting Lyman’s first uniforms, paid for by fundraising activities. He also built and donated the first batting cage for the baseball team.
He was the last surviving founder of what is now the Longwood-Winter Springs Chamber of Commerce.
One of his greatest enjoyments in the civic arena was being the city’s Santa Claus for 44 years. He delighted children by arriving on a fire truck to hand out treats and listen to their wishes for Christmas. He would go to nursing homes to delight and bring cheer to the residents.
In 2005, having lived sixty years in the city he loved, he died in the South Seminole Hospital. At his funeral, a proclamation was read proclaiming December 22nd as J. Russell Grant Day in the City of Longwood.
Originally published in the Footprints of Longwood book
Burial: Highland Memorial Gardens in Forest City (FindAGrave)
Wife: Ruth Eleanor Grant