Shady Oaks Fish Camp

Shady Oaks Fish Camp. . , Aaron Elijah Godwin acquired these lands for ranging his cattle in 1896. Prior to his death, Godwin deeded his lands to his sons, Alfie Benjamin, and William Riley Godwin. Alfie Benjamin grazed his cattle on the section of land west of Lake Kissimmee, calling it Shady Oaks Ranch. At the eastern edge of Shady Oaks Ranch, Alfie Godwin provided fishermen access to Lake Kissimmee and in the late 1930s granted Joe Germany per mission to place a camping trailer on the site. According to Alfie Benjamin's grandson, Benjamin Speight, his grandfather had always wanted to provide access on his property "for fishermen to enjoy fishing." Shady Oaks Fish Camp grew informally, one gentleman's agreement at a time. A destination for fishermen statewide, Shady Oaks hosted the American Bass Fisherman's Florida State Championship in 1976. Ben Heilman incorporated Shady Oaks Fish Camp in 1983 and operated a tackle shop at the site, providing live bait and fishing licenses. When the ranch ownership had passed to the Speight Family, there were over three-hundred sites at Shady. Oaks and Rocks Fish Camp., South Florida Water Management District purchased the historic ranch and fish camp to facilitate a joint federal and state project known as the Kissimmee River Restoration Program in 2004. The Kissimmee River Valley Sportsman's Association became involved, advocating for public access to Lake Kissimmee, South Florida Water Management District and the Polk County Board of County Commissioners in 2007 agreed to partner to provide the public access and recreation opportunities. South Florida Water Management District set aside 136 acres, including lakefront. for public access and provided funding for improvements including boat ramps and other recreation amenities. Once the recreational facilities were completed, ownership and management were officially transferred to Polk County in 2011. , A Polk County Heritage Site