(Source of image: Florida State Archives)

The little gift may be tie clips: Here's Miss Universe 1965 paying a visit to Governor Haydon Burns of Florida.  Mr. Burns served as Jax mayor while the municipal government began the waterfront improvements of the mid Fifties.  He first won the mayoral office in 1949.  Reelected four more times, Mr. Burns became the longest-sitting chief executive in Jax history.  After successfully running for governor in 1964, he helped change Florida's history. 

Governor Burns became heavily involved in trying to persuade Walt Disney to build a Sunshine State theme park.  He is supposed to have phoned Walt so many times that the movie legend became irritated with him.  The politician's persistence proved worthwhile, however, when Walt chose Orlando for Disney World.

Born in Chicago in 1912, Haydon Burns moved to Jax when he was 10, and he later graduated from Andrew Jackson High School.  During the late 1930s & early '40s, Mr. Burns owned an appliance store on the east side of Hemming Park, where the new Main Library is now being built.  He also operated a flying school, and just before he was first elected mayor, he worked in public relations.  After his stint as governor, Mr. Burns returned to Jacksonville and labored as a private business consultant.  He passed away in in 1987.

Incidentally, whatever became of the pageant winner pictured above?  She later married into the royal family of her native country, Thailand, where she is now a beloved social figure.  Apasra Hongsakula proved the first Thai and second Asian woman to capture the Miss Universe title.  The 5'4" beauty spoke no English, but she enthralled the contest judges in Miami Beach with her charm and regal bearing.  CLICK HERE for her now & then pics.

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