Kissimmee in Osceola County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Fletcher Park
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, February 2, 2023
1. Fletcher Park Marker
Fletcher Park
Donated to the State of Florida
June 15 1935
by Tufts College
Boston Massachusetts
In Memory of Austin B. Fletcher
To perpetuate for future generations these large Cypress Trees.
Fletcher Park Marker
Austin B. Fletcher (1852-1923) was born in Mendon, Massachusetts. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts from Tufts College. In addition to financially supporting his alma mater, Fletcher invested in many projects along the East Coast, including the purchase of 38 acres of land along Reedy Creek between Kissimmee and Haines City.
His Florida estate was home to tall cypress trees and a dense forest believed to be used as a place of concealment by Native Americans during the Seminole Wars. The land also included a sweet orange grove which was a well-guarded secret of the local Seminole Indians, and the object of many a search party.
Tufts College was named the principal beneficiary of Fletcher's vast estate. Because of the area's unique history, the land was deeded to the state of Florida in 1935. A marker was erected, but later removed to prevent its destruction during the Old Tampa Highway widening project. Osceola County Commissioners relocated the Fletcher Park Marker to where it now stands at the Osceola County Welcome Center and History Museum. The park may be long gone, but the historic marker is a reminder of the generosity of Austin B. Fletcher, and the rich history of Osceola County.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is June 15, 1935.
Location. 28° 18.289′ N, 81° 26.99′ W. Marker is in Kissimmee, Florida, in Osceola County. It is on Vine Street (Florida Route 192) 0.1 miles west of North
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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: Shingle Creek (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Shingle Creek Regional Park & Trail (about 800 feet away); Cattlemans Barn (approx. 0.9 miles away); Home Sweet Home (approx. 0.9 miles away); A Working Yard (approx. 0.9 miles away); Lanier Legacy (approx. 0.9 miles away); Raymond V. Lanier: A Progressive Farmer (approx. 0.9 miles
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, February 2, 2023
2. Fletcher Park Marker
Regarding Fletcher Park. The original location of Fletcher Park is marked with a road sign on U.S. Highway 17 / 92 just west of Intercession City. Location is 28°15'50.33"N, 81°32'6.85"W. (photo wanted)
Also see . . . Fletcher Park Monument. (Submitted on February 3, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, February 2, 2023
3. Fletcher Park Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,174 times since then and 282 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 3, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of the Fletcher Park road sign west of Intercession City at 28°15'50.33"N, 81°32'6.85"W • Can you help?
