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

The Great Endurance Run

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, February 2, 2023

1. The Great Endurance Run Marker

Inscription. On November 25, 1909, the "Autoists" participating in “The Great Endurance Run” were treated to a gala Thanksgiving Day banquet at the Gravestone Hotel which was located on this site. This hotel was the "Official Checkpoint" which ended the third day of driving for the “Drivers and Observers" of the eighteen automobiles that took part in the grueling four day "Endurance Run" from Tampa to Jacksonville to Tampa to promote good roads for Florida. That night, the "Autoists” were given lodging in the Opera House since the Hotel was filled.

This cross-state automobile event did, indeed, foster bond issues and highway construction throughout Florida. The original “Run” was sponsored by the Tampa Daily Times under the auspices of the Tampa Automobile Club with Coca Cola being advertising sponsors.

Erected 1984 by Osceola County Historical Society, Inc. in cooperation with First Federal Saving and Loan of Osceola County and the “Autoists” participating in the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary re-enactment of “The Great Endurance Run”.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Roads & Vehicles • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is November 5, 1909.

Location. 28° 17.599′ N, 81° 24.344′ W. Marker

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is in Kissimmee, Florida, in Osceola County. It can be reached from Broadway 0.1 miles north of East Monument Avenue. Located between the two Morgan & Morgan Buildings, at the east end of a small patio. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Broadway, 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 South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tree Firemark (within shouting distance of this marker); Monument of The States (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Reflections (about 700 feet away); Young and Nora Tindall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alexander Edwin and Nancy Temperance Partin Whaley (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alfred Washington and Bertha Lee Hall Winn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Henry Tolle and Ruby Fletcher Simmons (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Thomas and Eva Leora Pfann Singeltary (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kissimmee.

Also see . . . “Official Route of the automobile road”. The Daytona-Gazette-News, November 20, 1909 (Submitted on February 3, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, February 2, 2023

2. The Great Endurance Run Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 532 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 3, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.