Historical Markers and War Memorials in Kissimmee, Florida
Kissimmee is the county seat for Osceola County
Kissimmee is in Osceola County
Osceola County(119) ► ADJACENT TO OSCEOLA COUNTY Brevard County(344) ► Highlands County(39) ► Indian River County(66) ► Lake County(66) ► Okeechobee County(14) ► Orange County(269) ► Polk County(134) ►
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In 1888, Lt. Col. William Edwin Cadman of Yorkshire, England, came to Narcoossee to investigate a potential investment property, including a home and citrus grove. Several members of the family joined him, including his wife, Jane. Upon their . . . — — Map (db m236257) HM
Early pioneers were self-reliant and made or grew much of what they needed to survive. Yet during this same period, industries were beginning mass-produce everyday items. A growing population and the availability of commercial goods led to the . . . — — Map (db m204537) HM
This site was the home of the Grady Babb family. He and his wife Ellen purchased acreage which included a house, a few outbuildings, and a neglected citrus grove. Beginning during the Depression, they improved the grove and over time made it . . . — — Map (db m239170) HM
Settler families like the Laniers were self-sufficient and frugal. In the yards of their homes, they grew vegetables, washed clothes, smoked meats, and performed other tasks. Secondary structures such as smokehouses, washhouses, and outhouses were . . . — — Map (db m220314) HM
Mann
1893-1977 — 1897-1978
A.G. (Gus) — Dessie Samantha
Gus was born in Homeland, FL., Dessie in Bowling Green, FL., married in 1916, moved to Kissimmee in 1929. Gus was a cattleman, citrus grower, grocer, First . . . — — Map (db m204785) HM
Whaley
1877-1918 1894-1979
Alexander Edwin Nancy Temperance Partin
Osceola County natives, they were married Oct. 21, 1903 and were pioneers in the Brahman cattle and citrus industries. After Eds untimely death at age 41, . . . — — Map (db m204492) HM
Winn
1863-1918 1868-1948
Alfred Washington Bertha Lee Hall
They moved to Kissimmee from Polk County in 1904. Alfred was a lumberman. He opened the first ice plant in Kissimmee. Bertha was a charter member of the Womans . . . — — Map (db m204490) HM
This unique one-room house must have been an adventure for the teenage Cadman boys. At the time, William was 18, Reginald, 14, and Godfrey, 12. The Cadman home originally had three bedrooms. Margery and her nurse each had their own rooms, so the . . . — — Map (db m220313) HM
Similar to many 19th century rural homes in Florida, the Cadmans kitchen was separate from the main house for practical reasons. Cooking and fires created smoke and heat that would be unwelcome in the living areas of the house. The kitchen was . . . — — Map (db m220312) HM
Alfred Sidney Campbell was a Confederate Army Veteran who built a house here in the 1860's. He was in search of better grazing lands for his cattle. Once Henry Plant's Railroad system was built, Alfred Campbell operated a store and post office for . . . — — Map (db m238023) HM
For the Florida pioneers, barns were used to protect valuable riding gear, farm equipment, animal food, and at times, the animals themselves. Horses, oxen, and meat cattle were generally kept outdoors. Small or young animals may have been kept . . . — — Map (db m220315) HM
Franklin
1834-1912 1864-1935
Charles E. Ella M. Prather
The Franklins came to Kissimmee from Saluda County, South Carolina, in 1902. Charles was a horse trader and citrus grower. He was active in real estate in the . . . — — Map (db m204513) HM
Prevatt
1855-1914 — 1867-1923
Charlie Fox — Sarah Alice
Charlie was born in Starke, FL., Sarah in Americus, GA., married in 1885. Charlie served as Osceola County Sheriff 1897-1905, 1909-1913. Known as the . . . — — Map (db m204826) HM
When Osceola County was formed in 1887, there were small villages scattered outside of Kissimmee. New settlers in the rural areas built schools for their children, and these one-room buildings accommodated multiple school grades. Students attended . . . — — Map (db m220308) HM
As new communities formed, the residents often traveled long distances in order to congregate for worship at the town church. Circuit-riding preachers served in these earliest churches. Services were held when the preacher could make it to town, and . . . — — Map (db m205375) HM
In the mid to late 1880s, cow camps were a part of the Cracker way of life. Cowmen drove their cattle to market between March and August, and the camps were established along the route - about a day's ride between each. The cowmen hunkered down for . . . — — Map (db m220317) HM
Georgians, they moved to Kissimmee in 1924. Owner of Autrey Motor Co., Ford dealer. Active in business community, first president of what is now Chamber of Commerce. Member of the Presbyterian Church, Roy was an elder and Bess was organist - . . . — — Map (db m204322) HM
Discover
Frontier Communities
The Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek is a composite reconstruction of Osceola County's early history designed to reflect the local heritage and common stories. The buildings and historic environments are . . . — — Map (db m204400) HM
In addition to sugar cane production, Hamilton Disston also planted rice in 1892. Near this location is the brick foundation of the Hamilton Disston Rice Mill. When that failed, brothers named Kelly were more successful. Operating on fields between . . . — — Map (db m215380) HM
Lawson
Dixon (Dick) Forrest
1901 - 1972
Descendant of early settlers in the Boggy Creek-Hilliard Island area, Dick was born in Osceola County. He was a rancher, citrus grower and packer and businessman. He opened Kissimmees . . . — — Map (db m204774) HM
Brinson
1881-1936 1893-1965
Dr. Haynes, M.D. Agnes
Haynes and Agnes were born in Lowndes County, GA, educated Emory University, Dr. Brinson moved to Kissimmee in 1923 from Georgia. Practiced as a physician and surgeon until . . . — — Map (db m219348) HM
Overstreet
1852-1942 1852-1910
E.L.D. Spicey Ann
E.L.D. was born in Swainsboro, GA., Spicey in Monticello, FL., E.L.D. Moved to Osceola County in 1859. Married in 1871, lived at Lake Cecil. A citrus grower and cattleman, . . . — — Map (db m204798) HM
Davis
1896-1980 1900-1981
Ellis Fairbanks Francis Marion
Ellis, a lawyer and Marion a newspaper women, moved to Kissimmee from Marianna in 1922. Ellis served as Osceola Bar Assoc. Pres., City Comm., Mayor, City Attorney, . . . — — Map (db m204505) HM
Ledbetter
1904-2000 — 1908-1975
F.S. (Beany) — Avice Cottrell
Born in Cordell, GA., Beany moved from Gulfport, Miss. to Kissimmee in 1912. He married Avice, from St. Cloud, FL., in 1926. Beany worked for the Post . . . — — Map (db m204775) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m215520) HM
Bronson
1879-1960 1875-1969
George C. Spicey Vianna
George and Spicey were born at Shingle Creek. From age 14, he worked packing oranges, cutting railroad crossties. When he was 18, ready to marry, he had a home, 50 head of . . . — — Map (db m204496) HM
Ivey
1897-1966 — 1905-1975
George Lester — Hilda Claudia Rocker
Born in the Sinngle Creek area, Lester grew up in Kissimmee. Hilda, a teacher, moved from Georgia in 1920, married Lester in 1922. They had citrus . . . — — Map (db m204739) HM
Singeltary
1875-1953 1880-1968
George Thomas Eva Leora Pfann The family moved to Osceola County in 1901. They had land and timber holdings, were active in the Episcopal Church and in community and civic affairs. Children: Henry . . . — — Map (db m219347) HM
Duke
1912-1978 1921-2015
Haley Everett Ruby Rayburn
Haley, a 12th child, was born 12/12/12 in Kissimmee. Married Ruby Rayburn of Sanford in 1939. A merchant, he was first president of Downtown Merchants Association, a . . . — — Map (db m204510) HM
After the Civil War, Hamilton Disston purchased four million acres of marshland in Florida, making him the largest single landowner in the United States. Included in his purchase was the small landing post of Allendale, located on Lake . . . — — Map (db m216269) HM
Dale
1887-1964 1894-1965
Harry Ralph Loretta Ester Winn
Harry moved to Kissimmee in 1885, Essie in 1904. Married in 1911, they were members of the First Christian Church. He was a brickmason, helping to build the First . . . — — Map (db m204501) HM
Pfann
1855-1950 — 1859-1921
Henry Mitchell — Ida Leora MCCarg
The family moved to Kissimmee in 1901. They had land and timber holdings, were active in the Methodist church and in community and civic affairs. . . . — — Map (db m204822) HM
Partin
1890-1971 — 1891-1987
Henry Oscar — Bertha Bass
The Partins moved to Osceola County from Tattnall County, in the 1870s. Henry was born in Partin Settlement. Married Bertha in 1909 and started the Heart Bar . . . — — Map (db m204819) HM
Simmons
1903-1984 1904-1987
Henry Tolle Ruby Fletcher
Henry, a fourth generation Floridian, was a life long resident of Osceola Co. Ruby, a Georgia native, married Henry in 1924. He was in the furniture business for 60 . . . — — Map (db m205000) HM
The Seminoles were hunters and harvested natural resources for their own use, as well as for trade. They hunted birds, alligators, deer, and other wild animals. In 1883, Clay MacCauley, an anthropologist, noted that the Seminoles were trading for . . . — — Map (db m205510) HM
This Carpenter Gothic style church was completed in 1889. Originally located in downtown Kissimmee on the northwest corner of Sproule Avenue and Mitchell Street, the church was dedicated by Bishop Edwin Gardner Weed in 1890. Electricity had not yet . . . — — Map (db m136022) HM
Pioneers grew and produced sugarcane to use as sweetener for cooking and baking. The sugarcane grew in small "cane patches" alongside other crops. This perennial plant was harvested once a year in the fall and often processed in community . . . — — Map (db m205491) HM
Bronson
1900-1975 1907-1971
Irlo Flora Bass
Irlo, 4th generation cattleman, was born in Osceola County. Flora was born in Kissimmee. Married in 1924, Irlo served in the Florida Legislature, 1942-67. Generously gave time, . . . — — Map (db m204497) HM
James Calvin Tyson's personal story resembles that of many Florida Cracker families. His parents moved to Florida from Georgia just weeks before the Civil War in 1861. James was born in Florida, and by 1885, he had established himself as a farmer . . . — — Map (db m220310) HM
McCawley
1893-1979 — 1902-1966
Joe B. — Irene Rae Franklin
Joe was born in Kentucky, Irene in Kissimmee. Joe moved to Kissimmee in the 1920s. Married in 1926, they settled in Kissimmee Park in 1929. He was a . . . — — Map (db m204788) HM
Johnston
1843-1915 1851-1931
John J. Sarah J.
Johns family emigrated from Ireland to Canada in the 1850s. Married Sarah in 1875. Moved to Nebraska, where he became a farmer. In 1895, he brought a carload of horses to . . . — — Map (db m204741) HM
Johnston
1884-1947 1890-1951
John Jones Charlotte
John was born in Nebraska, Charlotte in Minnesota. John moved to Kissimmee in 1895, married in 1911. He was the first City Clerk of St. Cloud in 1910, Postmaster 1915-19, . . . — — Map (db m204924) HM
Johnston
1892-1964 1894-1998
Joseph E. Immaroe S.
Joe, born in Nebraska, moved to Kissimmee in 1895. Immaroe was born in Tampa in Tampa, FL., married in Okeechobee in 1922, where she had an abstract office. Joe served . . . — — Map (db m204929) HM
The City of Kissimmee rests on the northern shore of the historic Lake Tohopekaliga. This vast lake, almost 19,000 acres, is connected to the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Lake Toho, as the locals call it, has played an important role to Kissimmee both . . . — — Map (db m206105) HM
Like so many others settlers of the time, John Lanier moved to Florida from Georgia in search of new opportunities. He and his family moved through Florida as John established himself as a cattle rancher, eventually settling in "the Point," an area . . . — — Map (db m220316) HM
Rogers
1883-1934 1890-1962
M. Lee Emma Beatrice
Lee was born in Pavo, GA., Emma in Apopa, FL., married in Sanford, FL. in 1908. A brick mason, restaurateur, farmer, grocer, and dairyman. Emma and sons ran the grocery on . . . — — Map (db m204871) HM
Overstreet
1895-1976 — 1902-1989
M.M. (Mack) — Jeanette (Abbie)
Osceola County natives, married May 9, 1920. Mack started a turpentine business, spent his life as a cattleman, producing fine beef stock, served 20 . . . — — Map (db m204799) HM
The brainchild of Dr. Charles Bressler-Pettis, the Monument of States was dedicated on March 28, 1943. Dr. Pettis was President of the Kissimmee All-States Tourist Club (KAST); he felt it was a fitting tribute to the winter visitors who came to the . . . — — Map (db m236729) HM
Knox
1882-1936 — 1887-1983
O. Jennings — Kate
Alabamans, Kate worked for womens suffrage prior to moving to Kissimmee in 1924. Jennings, a salesman, used Kissimmee as his base. Kate was active in the community . . . — — Map (db m204747) HM
Osceola County was created in May, 1887 from portions of Orange and Brevard Counties. One of its sponsors was Senator J. Milton Bryan, who suggested the new county be named for Osceola, the great Seminole warrior. The new county was Florida's . . . — — Map (db m54022) HM
Johnston
1886-1935 1885-1976
Pat Adalene
Pat moved from Nebraska in 1895, married in 1912. He was a lawyer, Clerk of Circuit Court, County Attorney, Prosecuting Attorney, City Commissioner and Mayor. He urged city to buy . . . — — Map (db m204745) HM
Donegan
1896-1980 1900-1981
Peter Susie Cox
The Donegan family came to Kissimmee from Ireland in September of 1885. Peter was a cattleman, farmer and a citrus grower. Their home place was on what is now called Donegan . . . — — Map (db m204506) HM
Victoria Tyson was a young woman when she and
James built their home, but years later the family grew to include 11 children. Each morning, she prepared the day's meals, which included food familiar to southern Crackers. The family's income was . . . — — Map (db m220342) HM
Bronson
1899-1967 1909-1983
R. Carlyle Louise Karlet
Carlyle, an Osceola County native, was a graduate of Georgia Military Academy. Louise was born in West Virginia. They were married in 1932. He was active in the cattle . . . — — Map (db m204499) HM
When Lt. Colonel William Cadman purchased an orange grove in Narcoossee in 1888, he was retired and busy with many interests. The grove was likely an investment in his sons' futures, and they handled much of the work along with paid seasonal . . . — — Map (db m220311) HM
Like so many Cracker families, Henry Oscar Partins parents moved to Florida from Georgia in the 1870s. Henry, an ambitious teenager, followed in his father's footsteps as a farmer and rancher. He was only 15 when he used his wages as a cowhand to . . . — — Map (db m204514) HM
Born in 1873, Raymond Lanier lived in a time of rapid change. This son of a Cracker cowman had diverse jobs that reflected the new opportunities in Osceola County. As a young man, he worked as a cattleman. In the 1880s, Raymond was employed on the . . . — — Map (db m206023) HM
Lupfer
1863-1936 — 1866-1926
Samuel L. — Margaret J.
The Lupfers came from Pennsylvania in 1885. He worked for Disston processing sugarcane until the 1890s. For a short time he grew vegetables on East Lake and . . . — — Map (db m204777) HM
Lupfer
1895-1986 — 1894-1981
Samuel L., Jr. — Corine Gilbert
Sam and Corinne were born in Osceola County. Sam worked in the Post Office prior to founding the Lupfer Insurance Agency in 1918. Corinne worked with . . . — — Map (db m204783) HM
After the conclusion of the Civil War, an influx of pioneers moved to the wilds of central Florida to farm and raise cattle. Kissimmee City began as a trading post, and Shingle was the location of an area post office and shingle mill. The early . . . — — Map (db m219936) HM
Traditionally, the Seminoles ate native plants and animals and used the natural resources available to them instead of farming. They harvested edible plants, fished along creeks and shores, and hunted wild game. Their core diet consisted of corn, . . . — — Map (db m220318) HM
The Seminoles of central Florida built settlements on elevated hammocks or islands along the swampy Kissimmee River Valley. Their shelters, "chickees," were built from local materials, including pine logs and palm thatch. Chickees were well designed . . . — — Map (db m220319) HM
Along this path ran the Sugar Belt Railroad which connected Kissimmee to St. Cloud to Narcoossee. Built in 1888, it was operated by Henry Plant's South Florida RR. Vegetables and produce from the farms and groves of the Shaker Colony, Narcoossee, . . . — — Map (db m215404) HM
On November 25, 1909, the "Autoists" participating in
The Great Endurance Run were treated to a gala Thanksgiving Day banquet at the Gravestone Hotel which was located on this site. This hotel was the "Official Checkpoint" which ended the third . . . — — Map (db m215501) HM
(Side 1)
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan invaded the Philippines on December 8, 1941, forcing General Douglas MacArthur and his forces to withdraw to the Bataan Peninsula for their last stand against the advancing Japanese . . . — — Map (db m206175) HM WM
Prior to the late 1880s, travel was completed primarily by foot, horse, or wagon. After the expansion of railroad lines through Florida, convenient transportation became affordable to more of the population. Travel time was still slow, but railroads . . . — — Map (db m220309) HM
In the 1880's, and before, when settlements in Osceola County were just beginning, there were few roads as such, mainly wagon trails and no bridges over Single Creek. The road west, Vine Street led to three Fords named after Jim Yates (also called . . . — — Map (db m204486) HM
Water, a daily necessity for life, is seasonally limited in areas of Osceola County. Pioneers built water towers to store collected rainwater or pumped water from rivers, lakes, and streams. Some settlers used cisterns to store water, while others . . . — — Map (db m205107) HM
Ray
1894-1965 1897-1958
William Glenn Donna Haupt
Glenn was born in Banner, ILL., Donna in Sanborn, Iowa. They came to Kissimmee from the Midwest in 1925. He became Tax Assessor in 1932. He helped organize First Federal . . . — — Map (db m204863) HM
Barber
1887-1960 1889-1975
William Isaac May Belle Patterson
Will was born in Kissimmee Park. May came from Nebraska in 1910. They were married in 1911. Will was tax assessor 1912-32, raised cattle and citrus. He was a . . . — — Map (db m204325) HM
Lancaster
1883-1950 1888-191964
Wilson MacArthur Minnie Elizabeth
Canadians by birth, they moved from North Dakota to Kissimmee in 1933. Dr. Lancaster founded the Osceola Hospital, where medicine and surgery were his . . . — — Map (db m204769) HM
Tindall
1875-1970 1877-1955
Young Nora
Young , born in Georgia, moved to Osceola County in 1886. He married the former Nora Sullivan. He was a trapper, timber man and cattleman. Served as Sheriff from 1932-1953. Known for . . . — — Map (db m204491) HM
A state of the art facility when it was built in 1926, this filling station was part of the 1920's automobile boom that opened the area to its first real influx of new residents and tourists. With masonry vernacular construction, it is an excellent . . . — — Map (db m243146) HM
This petrified wood is over 80000,000 years old. The trees originally grew in the Triassic Period. After the tree died, it was buried by sediment and saturated with water rich in silica, Eventually the makeup of the wood was replaced by silica and . . . — — Map (db m237650) HM
