Picture this: It’s 1838, and the Florida wilderness is a dangerous place. The Seminole Wars are raging, and settlers are nervous. So the U.S. Army steps in and builds Fort Gatlin south of where Orlando sits today. Its job? Keep the settlers safe from Indian attacks. By 1840, a small community had grown up around the Fort, and people called it Jernigan after the Jernigan family, who were the first to put down real roots here. They even got their own post office on May 30, 1850.
Now here’s where things get interesting. The settlement keeps growing and pushes north, and by 1857, the community decides it needs a new name. Orlando, it is. The post office officially makes it official. Then, in 1875, Orlando became a real town with 85 inhabitants, and only 22 of them could even vote. It’s a tiny place by today’s standards, but it’s the start of something big.
But you’re probably wondering, where did the name Orlando come from? That’s the fun part. Nobody really knows for sure, and that’s what makes it great. Four different stories are floating around, and honestly, they’re all pretty wild.
Judge James Speer’s Connection
The first story centers on Judge James Speer, who fought hard to make Orlando the county seat. According to this version, Speer named the town after a former employee. Simple, right? Maybe too simple.
The Shakespeare Theory
The second story is more literary. Speer supposedly named it after a character from Shakespeare’s play “As You Like It. It’s a romantic idea, and it makes you wonder if the judge was a Shakespeare fan or just really creative with his naming choices.
The Traveler Who Never Made It
The third story is sadder. There’s a tale about a man named Orlando who was headed to Tampa with a caravan of oxen. Legend says he got sick on the road, passed away, and was buried out there. Over time, people started saying “There lies Orlando” when they passed by his grave. That’s how the town got its name. Tough way to get remembered, but he definitely did.
The Sentinel’s Sacrifice
The last theory is the most action-packed. During the height of the Seminole Wars, a group of soldiers was camped on the east side of Lake Minnie (now called Cherokee). A sentinel named Orlando Reeves was standing guard when he spotted something floating toward him in the water. He realized it was a log, but not just any log—it was disguised to look like part of an Indian sneak attack. He fired his gun to warn the other soldiers.
That’s when arrows came flying back and hit him. The soldiers chased the Indians back into the swamps and decided to bury Orlando Reeves on the south side of Lake Eola. Whether or not that’s really how it happened, the name stuck.
How Orlando Grew Up
So now you know how Orlando got its name. But the story doesn’t stop there. In the 19th century, Orlando was the heart of Florida’s citrus business. Everyone was growing oranges and citrus fruit, and the town thrived on that. Fast forward to the 20th century, and everything shifted. Tourism became king. The city went from an agricultural hub to a vacation destination, attracting millions of visitors each year.
What’s Happening Now
Today’s Orlando is nothing like the small town of 1875. The leaders have been innovative about building a stronger, more resilient economy. They’re not just relying on tourism or citrus anymore. The city is pushing into high-tech industries, digital media, technology, life sciences, and simulation and training. Orlando is now known as a world-class player in the innovation economy, and it keeps growing.
The Legacy of Growth and Innovation
Orlando’s transformation from a tiny settlement around a military fort to a global city is pretty remarkable when you think about it. Whether the town was named after a fallen soldier, a traveler, a Shakespearean character, or someone who worked for a judge, one thing is clear.
Orlando has come a long way since 1838, and it’s far from done growing. The city continues to build on its rich past while looking ahead to the future, combining the best of its history with modern innovation and progress. From a remote military outpost to a thriving hub of economic activity, Orlando shows how communities can adapt and thrive through change while honoring their roots.
Source: orlando.gov
Header Image Source: Mick Haupt on Unsplash
