Do you like trying new foods? Are you a fan of unique stores? How about classic vehicles and muscle cars? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then Old Town in Kissimmee is perfect for you!

Topics: Old Town, Kissimmee, Outdoor, Oscoela County Historical Society, Business Membership, Osceola County, City of Kissimmee, Around Osceola County, Osceola County History, Summer Activities, History, Tourism, Osceola History, Around Osceola

The Lanier family, like many others, migrated from another state to the wild frontier of Florida. The patriarch, John Lanier, came from Georgia where he was born in 1805. The exact date when John came to Florida is unknown. However, we do know that it was after his first wife’s passing and preceding his marriage to Margaret Hogan in 1839. It was during his time in Florida that he made a name for himself and his family in the cattle industry.

Topics: Kissimmee, Oscoela County Historical Society, Osceola County, Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, City of Kissimmee, Around Osceola County, Pioneer Village, Osceola County History, Educational, History, Shingle Creek, The Pioneer Village, Pioneer Family, Osceola History, Around Osceola

Fair warning—this blog post contains pictures of mouth-watering barbeque food. Be prepared to crave this amazing food!

Topics: Big John's BBQ, Kissimmee, Oscoela County Historical Society, Business Membership, Osceola County, Dine with the Departed, City of Kissimmee, Around Osceola County, Osceola County History, History, Osceola History, Around Osceola

When the ten-year-old wooden Osceola High School burned to the ground on July 7, 1908; the headlines read “Pride of Osceola Is Laid In Ashes”.  A committee of citizens was immediately appointed by the School Board to secure plans for the erection of a new school building.  Cooper Contracting Company of Fitzgerald, Georgia was awarded the contract for $17,500 to construct the three-story structure using sand lime brick. 

Topics: Kissimmee, Oscoela County Historical Society, Osceola County, City of Kissimmee, Around Osceola County, Osceola County History, Educational, History, Around Osceola, Osceola History

Built in 1924-1925, the Interocean Hotel located on Highway 17-92 seven miles south of Kissimmee, Florida; sat empty the year following completion. 

Topics: Kissimmee, Osceola County, Osceola County Historical Society, City of Kissimmee, Around Osceola County, Osceola County History, Educational, History, Around Osceola, Osceola History

Hi! My name is Audrey and I am an intern for the Osceola County Historical Society’s Marketing and Development Department this summer. I am graduating from college this December and am so grateful for this opportunity to gain experience in marketing.

Topics: Kissimmee, Oscoela County Historical Society, Marketing, Osceola County, Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, Around Osceola County, Osceola County Welcome Center and HIstory Museum, History, Osceola History, Around Osceola

Imagine transporting a student from the 1890’s schoolhouse at Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek to a heavily populated area in Osceola County, Florida in 1980; where wild turkeys and bobcats once roamed.  What they would see would be startling.  An earth-covered school, the design borrowed from Southwest American Indian tribes; was being built to save energy.  Referred to as “The dirt school, Groundhog or Eskimo Elementary”, the name chosen was ”Reedy Creek Elementary”.

Topics: Kissimmee, Oscoela County Historical Society, Osceola County, City of Kissimmee, Around Osceola County, Osceola County History, Educational, History, Osceola History, Around Osceola

Summer time in Florida is the perfect opportunity to explore the activities and attractions Osceola County has to offer! Offering family-friendly adventures, there are plenty of activities to ensure everyone has fun! Check out some of our favorite places to visit with our family and friends: 

Topics: Osceola County Historical Society, Osceola County History, City of Kissimmee, Totally Tots! Temporary Exhibit, Toho Water Authority, Osceola County, Gatorland, Airboats, Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, KUA, Around Osceola County, Pioneer Village, Summer Activities, History, Tourism, Shingle Creek, The Pioneer Village, Shingle Creek Regional Park, Around Osceola, Osceola History, Kissimmee, The Paddling Center, Steffee Landing, Big John's BBQ, Cici's Pizza, Old Town, Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, Experience Kissimmee, United Arts of Central Florida

“Our Women Have the Vote” read the headlines of the September 26, 1918 “St. Cloud Tribune”.  But as quickly as they gained it, they lost it.

Topics: Around Osceola County

Held annually each February, the Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show and Fair we are familiar with originated in the 1940s with the Kissimmee Valley Livestock Market being used as its venue.  Interrupted briefly by World War II, the fair and show returned, was incorporated and became an association which continues the tradition of an annual fair and livestock show.

Topics: Around Osceola County, Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show, 100 years ago in Osceola County, History