St. Cloud in Osceola County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Hamilton Disston Purchases Four Million Acres

St. Cloud Main Street

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, December 4, 2022

1. Hamilton Disston Purchases Four Million Acres Marker

Inscription. #15. In 1881, Hamilton Disston purchased four million acres of land from Florida's indebted Internal Improvement Fund. The purchase may have been the largest land purchase by an individual in world history. He planned to drain the swampland north of Lake Okeechobee to open the area to agriculture. His canal system included dredging the canal between Lake Tohopekaliga and East Lake Tohopekaliga. His efforts would be a major factor in the development of several towns, including Saint Cloud.
Artists: Sunshine & Rainmaker

Erected by City of St. Cloud and St. Cloud Main Street Program (Marker Number 15 .).

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 28° 14.836′ N, 81° 17.006′ W. Marker is in St. Cloud, Florida, in Osceola County. Marker is on New York Avenue north of 12th Street, on the right when traveling north. This marker and its associated mural are included in the Historic Walking Tour of Downtown St. Cloud. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1125 New York Ave, Saint Cloud FL 34769, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Four Firsts (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Fire of 1917

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(within shouting distance of this marker); First National Bank/St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Mule Stable (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fisk Funeral Home (about 400 feet away); Grand Army of the Republic Building (about 400 feet away); Hunter Arms Hotel (about 400 feet away); Hamilton Disston’s Sugarcane Mill (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Cloud.

Also see . . .
1. Historic Downtown Murals. (Submitted on December 9, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. St. Cloud Main Street Program. (Submitted on December 9, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, December 4, 2022

2. Hamilton Disston Purchases Four Million Acres Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 221 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 9, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.