ORLANDO history images pictures

This map shows Orange County as the United States thought it was in 1863. Parts of it are correct, but Orlando is not listed even though it was the county seat (the town continued to be listed as Jernigan.

During the war Orange County was definitely one of the least important parts of the south in the eyes of the Union Military. While it produced a significant amount of cattle for the Confederate Army, this, in itself, was not enough to rate any real notice.

The most interesting feature on the map is the 'canal route' listing that runs vertically directly to the right of Ft. Gatlin (itself, little more than a memory). Canals were always discussed and planned throughout Florida, even into the 20th Century. This one appears to run from Lake Monroe, through, what is today, Seminole and Orange Counties heading westward to connect with possibly Tampa Bay. This canal was never built.

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Written by Thomas E. Cook.