Kissimmee, Florida traces its name to the Jororo tribe, among the first to settle along the river valley. Riverboat captains, entrepreneurs, and speculators found Kissimmee and nearby Lake Tohopekaliga irresistible, and soon settlers followed. The 1880s marked this city's first brush with tourism, as the Tropical Hotel became the largest resort hotel south of Jacksonville. As the cattle town struggled to survive floods, the Depression, and downtown neglect in favor of spillover Walt Disney World business, committed citizens fought back and spiritedly rekindled the town into a favored tourist spot.

Takes readers on a tour through the backroads of Florida, providing directions, maps, and recommended sights.

An illustrated history of Osceola County, Florada, paired with histories of the local companies.

What exactly is a "Cracker"? An entertaining, informative look at a slice of old Florida culture. For over 200 years scholars have attempted to define the Crackers, but their name is as elusive as their nature, their character as tough as Florida's hardscrabble countryside, and any real Cracker will tell you that's just the way they like it. Part history, part folklore, Cracker is a generously illustrated account of Cracker heritage, its rich history, and its disappearance as today's fast-paced society reaches even into the remote backwoods of the state.From the language they spoke to the houses they built, from clandestine moonshine stills and cowhunting to "grits and gravy," Dana Ste. Claire offers a colorful and revealing tour of Crackerdom.

Finding game after the shot is of paramount importance to all hunters, users of firearms and bows alike. No other book has amassed so much vital knowledge on the subject as Tales of Trails. The pages deal comprehensively with all aspects of post-shot tracking, and yet the information is conveyed in an understandable and interesting way with many examples and spellbinding accounts. Anyone anxious to improve his or her tracking skills will deeply appreciate this book, but so will those who simply enjoy the tales of the hunt and descriptions of nature.

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District currently has 25 preserves (24 of which are already open to the public) containing about 220 miles of traits open to the public. This book serves as a guide to and celebration of these 25 preserves.