Edward Adam Boehme (pronounced Bayme) was born in Dayton, Ohio on October 26, 1877; one of eight children.  German parents Franz Oskar and Louise Boehme may have instilled an early love for Christmas in him as evidenced by his generosity to the Florida community of St. Cloud.

After retiring as an agent for the Prudential Life Insurance Company, Edward and his third wife Anna arrived in St. Cloud in 1936.  With Anna’s help, he dedicated himself to bringing happiness at Christmas to children and shut-ins for the next seventeen years of his life.

Topics: History, St. Cloud, Holiday Cheer, Santa

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

Topics: History, Osceola County Historical Society, War Vertrags Memorial

Celebrate Osceola County's first residents and the pioneering spirit of the late 19th century during the 27th Annual Pioneer Day. Here are some reasons why you won't want to miss this event, 27 reasons to be exact!

 

Topics: History, Free Admission, Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, Osceola County Historical Society, Big John's Rockin' BBQ, Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures, 27th Annual Pioneer Day, Outdoor Event, Fall Festival

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

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

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

Topics: Osceola History, History, Halloween Traditions, Pumpkins, Halloween, Harvest Festival

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

With the opening of our 1800s Replica Historic Church available for Weddings and Vow Renewals, we wanted to take a look into many common wedding traditions still performed.

Topics: History, Educational, Venue Rentals, Vow Renewal, Wedding Traditions, Oscoela County Historical Society, Kissimmee, Flowers, Wedding Flowers

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