By Sandy Klim

While Orlando is known throughout the world as a top vacation destination, cotton and cattle were the staple of existence for the area’s early settlers.

Originally named Jernigan after Aaron Jernigan, who came from Georgia and settled here in 1843, the town grew slowly around an old Army post—Fort Gatlin—that had been abandoned in 1849. The town’s name was changed to Orlando in 1857, reputedly after Orlando Reeves, a U.S. soldier.

“Orange fever” took over in 1870, and Orlando’s residents began planting seeds in the land that once yielded cotton. At its peak in the 1950s, more than 80,000 acres of citrus trees were thriving in Central Florida.

In 1895, an industrious citrus grower, John B. Steinmetz, converted his packing house into a skating rink, added picnic facilities and a bathhouse, and built a toboggan slide that spilled into Wekiva Springs. His entertainment complex soon made Orlando an important leisure destination.

Orlando began taking steps toward becoming a world-class vacation and recreation mecca when the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom opened its gates in 1971. SeaWorld Orlando followed suit when it splashed open in 1973. Over the years, Walt Disney World Resort continued to expand with the opening of Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom theme parks, as well as resorts, water parks and entertainment complexes. In 1990, Universal Studios Florida came onto the scene. In 1999, Universal Orlando Resort opened a second park, Islands of Adventure, followed by the addition of an entertainment complex, Universal CityWalk, and three hotels. In 2000, another major theme park, Discovery Cove, opened featuring a unique dolphin encounter.

Today, Orlando is truly in a class of its own. Rarely does a destination offer such spectacular and diverse choices for every age and interest. Whether it’s a white-knuckled thrill ride, exhilarating skydive, soothing massage, exciting round of golf or a mega shopping junket, it’s no surprise why Orlando has become one of the world’s leading vacation destinations.

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