Orlando in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Home of Orange & Mosquito Counties

Greetings from Orlando

— America250FL Road Trip —

Orange and Mosquito Counties Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 30, 2025

1. Orange and Mosquito Counties Marker

Inscription.
Originally formed on December 29, 1824, as Mosquito County, named for local waterways like Barra de Mosquitos, the area spanned much of eastern Florida. As the citrus industry expanded, locals and state leaders felt 'Mosquito' was unappealing, and, on January 30, 1845, the Florida Legislature renamed it Orange County, reflecting the region's agricultural identity. This name change signaled the rise of Florida's citrus boom and helped shape Central Florida's emerging economy.
Florida's Adventurous Spirit

Erected by Orange and Mosquito Counties.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Political Subdivisions. A significant historical date for this entry is December 29, 1824.

Location. 28° 30.881′ N, 81° 29.983′ W. Marker is in Orlando, Florida, in Orange County. It can be reached from Florida's Turnpike (at milepost 263), 2 miles south of Spessard L Holland Expressway (Florida Route 408), in the median. The marker is located within the Turkey Lake Service Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 263 Florida's Tpke, Orlando FL 32835, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

this marker is 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Eternal Flame of Peace (approx. 1.6 miles away); Pearl Harbor Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away); Dedicated to All American Prisoners of War (approx. 1.7 miles away); Women Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away); In Memory of the Columbia Crew (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Congressional Medal of Honor - Florida (approx. 1.7 miles away); In Memory of their Quest for Knowledge (approx. 1.7 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. A County Called Mosquito. (Submitted on November 7, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Florida Time: From Mosquito County to Orange County and other name origins.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 30, 2025

2. Orange and Mosquito Counties Marker

(Submitted on November 7, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Home of Orange and Mosquito Counties image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 30, 2025

3. Home of Orange and Mosquito Counties

Celebrating in the Free State of Florida image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 30, 2025

4. Celebrating in the Free State of Florida

America 250 Florida image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 30, 2025

5. America 250 Florida

Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 72 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 7, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.