Orlando History

Orlando, the seat of Orange County in Florida, is an urban oasis that boasts the nickname "the city beautiful." The downtown area is centered around Lake Eola, a swan-filled lake featuring a lighted fountain that has become an icon for the city. Brick-lined roads flanked by rows of live oaks border the area. Orange Avenue, Orlando's main road, is one-way for the most part, running south through the city. The numerous high rises are quite prominent during the day, but at night Orange Avenue comes to life with bars, clubs, restaurants, theaters, and concert venues. The main strip is closed to automobile traffic most nights due to the sheer number of pedestrians.

The first permanent settler in the area was Aaron Jernigan, who acquired his land along Lake Holden in 1842, following the Second Seminole War. The settlement was named Jernigan in his honor, and it slowly grew over the next few decades as pioneers drifted to the area to make a living as cattle ranchers. It wasn't until 1857 that the U.S. Post Office officially adopted the new name of Orlando.

The origin of Orlando's name is a matter of legend and debate. Some say it was named for the character in Shakespeare's As You Like It, while others claim it was a name that the settlers found carved into a tree and assumed it was the grave of a former plantation owner in the area. By far, the most popular story is that the city was named for Orlando Reeves, a soldier who died fighting the Seminole natives.

The city was incorporated in 1875, and became the hub of Florida's citrus industry over the next two decades, which are remembered as Orlando's "Gilded Era." However, a great freeze in 1894 forced a number of independent farmers out of their livelihood. Those few groves that remained were consolidated in the hands of a few "citrus barons," who moved their operations south to Lake Wales. Fortunately, the folks in Orlando soon discovered another industry that would serve them well in the years to come. As the largest inland city in Florida, Orlando became a popular resort in the years following the Spanish-American War. This reputation as a resort town was cemented in 1965, when Walt Disney announced his plans to build Walt Disney World.

Orlando is perhaps best known for its proximity to the world's greatest theme parks. And while, technically speaking, Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center might be just outside the city limits (in neighboring Lake Buena Vista), the city still boasts a number of significant tourist attractions, such as SeaWorld and the Universal Orlando Resort. The Islands of Adventure park features themed rides and attractions, including the popular seasonal celebrations of Grinchmas and Halloween Horror Nights. Orlando is also home to Gatorland, a park and wildlife preserve for thousands of alligators and crocodiles.