St. Cloud in Osceola County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Sugar Belt Railway/VFW Post

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 13, 2016

1. Sugar Belt Railway/VFW Post Marker

Inscription. The Sugar Belt Railway Line, built in 1889 by Hamilton Disston, transported sugar and citrus between the town of Narcoossee and Kissimmee. The train made the return trip after being reversed on a turntable at Narcoossee operated by muscle power. The rail line ran through what would become the town of St. Cloud, which was surveyed and platted in 1909 as a result of its location, south of Lake Tohopekaliga and near the railroad. St. Cloud was intended for veterans of the Civil War, and was known as “The Soldier City.” In 1910, a wood-frame depot building was erected to handle passenger and freight service. The building also served as a welcome center for new members of the community arriving on the train. The women of St. Cloud began putting books and magazines in the depot, thereby beginning the town’s first library. In 1925, the Sugar Belt Railway, as part of the Atlantic Coast Line, built a new brick building where the old wood frame building stood. The depot ceased to operate in 1942 because of dwindling traffic between Kissimmee and Narcoossee. The Veterans of the Foreign Wars Post 3227 purchased the building

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to use as their post headquarters in 1943.

Erected 2015 by The St. Cloud Main Street, City of St. Cloud and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-845.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 28° 14.969′ N, 81° 17.007′ W. Marker is in St. Cloud, Florida, in Osceola County. It is at the intersection of New York Avenue and 9th Street, on the right when traveling north on New York Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 915 New York Avenue, Saint Cloud FL 34769, 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

Sugar Belt Railway/VFW Post Marker and building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 13, 2016

2. Sugar Belt Railway/VFW Post Marker and building

within walking distance of this marker: St. Cloud Roll of Honor World War One (a few steps from this marker); Veterans of All Wars (within shouting distance of this marker); The Saint Cloud Sugar Belt Railway (within shouting distance of this marker); War Heroes From The Past And Present (within shouting distance of this marker); Seminole Land Investment Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Hunter Arms Hotel (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Joyland Beach and Bathing Beauties (about 400 feet away); St. Cloud Veteran Fife and Drum Corps (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Cloud.

National Register of Historic Places Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 20, 2022

3. National Register of Historic Places Plaque

VFW Post 3227 Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 20, 2022

4. VFW Post 3227 Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,172 times since then and 133 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 16, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on November 4, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.