Kissimmee in Osceola County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Lake Tohopekaliga

Kissimmee Lakefront Park

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 19, 2022

1. Lake Tohopekaliga Marker

Inscription. The City of Kissimmee rests on the northern shore of the historic Lake Tohopekaliga. This vast lake, almost 19,000 acres, is connected to the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Lake Toho, as the locals call it, has played an important role to Kissimmee both historically and ecologically.

During the Second Seminole War in the early 1800s, the small islands within the lake provided protection, helping the Seminole Indians resist U.S. troops. This was how Lake Toho got its name, Tohopekaliga, which means "fort site". By the late 1800s, major development was beginning to happen. The first small outpost on Lake Toho, called Allendale, grew rapidly and would eventually become Kissimmee. After extensive dredging of the lake and its connecting waterways, Kissimmee became an important trading center using steamships for cargo and passengers.

Today, the lake is known as one of the best lakes in Florida for bass fishing. Several major bass fishing tournaments are held here annually. Additionally, Lake Toho is rich with wildlife. It is home to many species of animals, such as alligators, bald eagles, blue herons, snail kites, white tailed

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

deer, bobcats and turkeys.

Erected by City of Kissimmee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 28° 17.333′ N, 81° 24.387′ W. Marker is in Kissimmee, Florida, in Osceola County. It can be reached from the intersection of Lakeview Drive and Ruby Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located in Kissimmee Lakefront Front Park adjacent to the lake. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 Lakeview Drive, Kissimmee FL 34741, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Orlando

and in Central Florida.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 19, 2022

2. Lake Tohopekaliga Marker

South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hamilton Disston Revolutionizes Kissimmee (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Markinsom-Carson American Legion Monument (about 600 feet away); Alfred Washington and Bertha Lee Hall Winn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Young and Nora Tindall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alexander Edwin and Nancy Temperance Partin Whaley (approx. 0.2 miles away); Joe B. and Irene Rae Franklin McCawley (approx. 0.2 miles away); E.L.D. and Spicey Ann Overstreet (approx. 0.2 miles away); Henry Tolle and Ruby Fletcher Simmons (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kissimmee.

Also see . . . Lake Tohopekaliga. (Submitted on September 13, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Lake Tohopekaliga image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, February 23, 2025

3. Lake Tohopekaliga

Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,736 times since then and 168 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 13, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on February 23, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.