A Brief History of Osceola County

Osceola County was created in 1886. Osceola County is a 1,506 square mile area that serves as the south/central boundary of the Central Florida Region and the Greater Metropolitan Area. The City of Kissimmee, the County Seat, is 18 miles due south of Orlando. Osceola’s only other incorporated City, St. Cloud, is 9 miles east of Kissimmee, and approximately 45 miles west of the City of Melbourne on the Atlantic Coast.
Osceola County has historically served as a transportation crossroad and is currently crossed by the Florida East Coast, Seaboard and Amtrak Railroad Systems, Interstate Highway 4 and U.S. 17/92, 441, 192 and the Florida Turnpike. The transportation network includes connections to the Orlando Beltway and Osceola Parkway, which provide access from the Turnpike to Walt Disney World. Osceola County is served by the Kissimmee Municipal Airport and is just 10 miles south of Orlando International Airport.

About Historic Downtown Kissimmee.
Historic Downtown Kissimmee is the heart of the Community Redevelopment Agency and provides residents and visitors with a variety of shops and dining experiences. In an effort to promote reinvestment in downtown the CRA has completed two major streetscapes on Main Street and Broadway and upgrades to the Pleasant Street parking lot including Toho Square pedestrian plaza and stage where monthly events are hosted by the Kissimmee Main Street Association.

The CRA has also restored the Key's Service Station on the corner of Broadway and Drury Avenues with grant assistance from the state and county and in-kind services from the City of Kissimmee, Gateway High School, and Hanson Walter & Associates. The building was remodeled with furnishings including a 1926 gas pump replica. The Key's Welcome Center includes information about Kissimmee and is home to Breck's Gourmet Cookies.

Recreation.
Big Toho Marina is located at the Northern end of beautiful West Lake Tohopekaliga in Historic Downtown Kissimmee, Florida. Known simply as Big Lake Toho, the 22,000 acre body of water has been recognized as one of our countries premier Largemouth Bass fisheries. In early 2001, it's reputation was solidified as professional angler Dean Rojas broke all existing BASS Masters records with an amazing one day, five fish limit weighing 45 lbs.

Osceola Center for the Arts - The center houses a 244-seat theatre, an art gallery, and educational classes for children and adults. The Center is also home to more than 12 groups who promote visual arts, music, theatre, and cultural diversity. The mission of the Osceola Center for the Arts is to promote, cultivate, and foster interest and participation in the Arts by providing affordable and accessible programs that encourage artistic expression in the community.

Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau - Learn about outdoor recreation activities from fishing and hunting to birding and boating.

Osceola Historical Society - The Osceola Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of Osceola County and is located at 750 North Bass Road in Kissimmee, FL 34746. For more information please call 407.396.8644.