Shingle Creek

Shingle Creek. Yesterday and Today. , Archaeological evidence indicates Indians were the earliest residents in this area. Centuries later, Seminole Indians from north of Florida would establish themselves here. When Florida became a state in 1845, only a handfull of homesteads existed between Orlando and Bartow. Within a few years, settlers staked claims along the creek and at the close of the Civil War, soldiers from both sides of the conflict sought a new life in this wilderness. These pioneer families would establish a rural community with homes, a store, postal service, citrus groves, cattle herds, schools, and churches. , , Families Settle In , During the mid to late 1800s and early 1900s families such as Yates, Overstreet, Bronson, and Steffee sustained themselves. with crops and cattle. Businesses included a sawmill, slaughter house, and packing house. The products went to market in Kissimmee by train, boat or wagon. , , Recreation , Shingle Creek, the headwaters to the Florida Everglades, flows for 23 miles beginning north near Orlando and ending in Lake Tohopekaliga. It is a place of solace and joy for many. Today, visitors to the park can picnic and relax, as this family did at the turn of the 20th century. Pursuits such as boating, fishing, bird and i wildlife watching and hiking are a way to connect with nature and perhaps for a moment, imagine life as it was a century ago. , , photo captions: , During Florida's Territorial period, scattered populations of Indians from Georgia and South Carolina and free and escaped slaves found safety within the local swamps. During the Second Seminole War - noteably a skirmish nearby - the Seminoles were able to elude the Military. It was after the Third Seminole War that the Indians moved deeper into the Everglades. However, they continued to trade with the new settlers. , , Jack and Vianna Yates, circa 1880. , The first to settle in the area was Jackson Yates. He rode horseback to deliver the mail between Jernigan (today's Orlando) and Bartow. He married another settler's daughter - Vianna Overstreet. Jack's brother James also came to Shingle Creek, opening a General Store on the east side, James drove his wagon to Mellonville (Sanford) to purchase supplies, making the round trip in several days. , , William Yates Homestead, circa 1900. , William Henry Yates, son of Jackson and Vianna, lived with his wife, Mary Bronson in this home near Shingle Creek. Adam Yates and his sister Christine Ivey join their mother for a family photo. The home features wood frame construction, cypress shingles, and a wood fence - all likely from a mill nearby. , , E.L.D. Overstreet with his children, circa 1915. , Eleazer Lewis Daniel, known as E.LD. by everyone was ,a farmer and cattleman. He was the son of the area's second homesteader, Henry Overstreet. Henry and his family, originally from Georgia, arrived in 1858. , From L. to R. standing: Henry L., Ann Tyner, Mack, Vianna Bronson, Lem, Gertrude Miller and Raul. , Seated: Lucreatia Stremlow, E.L.D.. Delia Bronson and Matilda Steffee. , , Picnickers enjoy a quiet moment along the bank of Shingle Creek. The first iron-framed bridge on Vine Street (US HWY 192) is seen beyond the group.