Getting around in central Florida
Kissimmee is strategically
located between Orlando, Cape Canaveral and
the wilderness areas of Central Florida. It
is situated on a stunningly beautiful lakeside
at the very heart of Florida's Seminole country.
The City of Kissimmee was originally a small
trading post on the northern bank of Lake
Tohopekaliga known as the community of “Allendale”.
After the Civil War this area was included
in a purchase of 4,000,000 acres of marshland
and plains by Mr. Hamilton Disston, the owner
of Disston Saw Company in Philadelphia.
By 1920, the population
of Kissimmee increased to more than 2,700
people as a result of the Florida land boom
of the early 1900’s. In the early 1930’s,
the cattle industry began to flourish in the
area. However, citrus and other crops remained
as the predominant industry.
City leaders, wanting
to continue Kissimmee’s prosperous history,
encouraged growth through the attraction of
retirees into the area during the 1950’s.
This effort stimulated growth of almost 60%.
The next period of growth came in the 1970’s
with the opening of Walt Disney World resort
area and other tourist attractions.
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