Getting around in central Florida c
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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