A
LaBelle investor and businessman, Jerome G. Attanasio, bought 360 acres of land southwest of
Citrus Center. He named the subdivision "
Ortona" after the coastal town in Italy, where he was born. Hoping to attract grape growers to his development, Attanasio reported to the
Moore Haven Times, in 1924, that he was impressed with the growth of 500 rootstock Carmen Grape on his six acres of land. Ken Bracken started the River Oaks subdivision located west of Meadowlark Shores. In 1985, Ghands and Baker owned one sandmine while one was leased to E.R. Jahna, though operated by John Bruner. Paul and Wheeler planted 1,000 acres of young citrus groves in 1979. At the same time, Ortona featured a beauty shop, store and bar for locals and "enthusiastic winter visitors." ==Climate==