Esper Products Deluxe A small jelly factory began in the fall of 1937 at 46 Main Street in Kissimmee, Florida. It produced 15-20 varieties of jams, jellies and marmalades. By 1950 there were 38 varieties of tropical flavors offered and the plant used an average of two tons of sugar per week. Aided by J.B. McCauley, Mrs. Emily Bast, widow of G.Y. Bast Sr. founded […]
In the early 1900s, Osceola County was well known for its fruits and vegetables, grown and shipped from here. Some of those early packers and shippers were Waters and Carson Grocery Co., W.B. Makinson Co., and J. S. Stratton of the Basswell Grocery Co. in Peghorn. As larger packing houses were needed, they were constructed near the railroad lines in Kissimmee. By July 1914, the […]
Kissimmee Gateway Airport is celebrating 80 years of aviation history in 2020. The first airplane landed in Kissimmee in 1912 and by October 1918, a landing field was in place on the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga near Kissimmee. Pilots would fly in from various areas to make stops before proceeding to other cities. 1930s Plans for a Kissimmee airport began as early as 1933. A […]
Honoring Private 1st Class Oscar Lee Padgett August 7 is Purple Heart Day. The Purple Heart is presented to those killed or injured while serving with the United States military. Gen. George Washington, commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, created the Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782. The first Badge of Military Merit was awarded to three Revolutionary soldiers in 1783. The award later […]