Yeehaw Junction in Osceola County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
MISSING
SEE LOCATION SECTION
The Desert Inn
Photographed By Julie Szabo, September 14, 2007
1. Desert Inn Marker
Inscription.
The Desert Inn was founded as a trading post in the late 1880s. The present building dates before 1925 and served as a supply and recreational center for cattle drovers, lumber men and tourists during the era when much of Osceola County was still undeveloped wilderness. Cowmen working the free ranging cattle on the palmetto prairie and lumber men cutting timber in the nearby pine lands came to the Desert Inn to eat, drink, and dance at this “oasis” where they could enjoy some relief from their arduous labors. Local patrons of the trading post and restaurant included African Americans and Seminoles, who had separate dining facilities in the era of segregation. The construction of roads in the 1930s brought tourists to the area, and a set of overnight cabins were erected behind the original building. Today the Desert Inn continues to be a popular destination for tourists and local residents. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
The Desert Inn was founded as a trading post in the late 1880s. The present building dates before 1925 and served as a supply and recreational center for cattle drovers, lumber men and tourists during the era when much of Osceola County was still undeveloped wilderness. Cowmen working the free ranging cattle on the palmetto prairie and lumber men cutting timber in the nearby pine lands came to the Desert Inn to eat, drink, and dance at this “oasis” where they could enjoy some relief from their arduous labors. Local patrons of the trading post and restaurant included African Americans and Seminoles, who had separate dining facilities in the era of segregation. The construction of roads in the 1930s brought tourists to the area, and a set of overnight cabins were erected behind the original building. Today the Desert Inn continues to be a popular destination for tourists and local residents. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
Erected 1996 by The Desert Inn and the Florida Department of State. A Florida Heritage Site. (Marker Number F-369.)
Marker is missing. It was located near 27° 42′ N, 80° 54.277′ W. Marker was in Yeehaw Junction, Florida, in Osceola County. Marker was at the intersection of State Road 60 and South Kenansville Road (U.S. 441), on the left when traveling east on State Road 60. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 5570 South Kenansville Rd, Okeechobee FL 34972, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within 14 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Kenansville School (approx. 13.4 miles away).
Additional commentary. 1. The Desert Inn closed in July of 2018. Went there today 12/8/2019 This has closed down and not sure how long ago. Very sad.
— Submitted December 8, 2019, by Janet Pratt of Spring Hill, Florida.
2. The Desert Inn Unfortunately the Desert Inn was plowed into by a semi-truck in late December 2019. The building was almost totally demolished and probably is beyond repair. I believe the historical marker is still standing, but I am
Photographed By Julie Szabo, September 14, 2007
2. Desert Inn and Marker
not certain about that.
— Submitted February 16, 2020, by Roy S of Vero Beach, Florida.
Photographed By Bob Bernier
3. The destroyed Desert Inn with marker still standing.
Photographed By Dave W, November 13, 2022
4. The Desert Inn Marker
You can see the post that the sign used to be on behind the fence.
Photographed By PaulwC3, March 18, 2007
5. Desert Inn (1925)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2007, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. This page has been viewed 3,183 times since then and 174 times this year. Last updated on December 14, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 1, 2007, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. 3. submitted on February 17, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4. submitted on December 14, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. 5. submitted on July 3, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
