About
Kissimmee, Florida
Local historians have offered many variations
of the origin of the city's name. Most agree that
Kissimmee is a modern spelling of a tribal word. The
book, Florida Indians and the Invasion from Europe
by Jerald T. Milanich, links "Kissimmee"
to a village of the Jororo, one of Florida's lesser-known
tribes. Historian John Hann researched Spanish documents
about missions estabilshed to convert the Jororo and
other groups to Christianity in the late 1600's.
Spanish records indicate that
a mission was built near the tribe's main village,
also called Jororo. Another mission was called Atissimi.
Milanich writes, "Hann suggests that the name
Atissimi, sometimes given as Jizimi and Tisimi, may
be the source of the modern place name Kissimmee."
A 1752 Spanish map used the
name "Cacema" which has evolved into today's
spelling, Kissimmee.
Chief Osceola was a member
of a native American tribe in Florida. Although most
tribes did not oppose the white encroachment, Osceaol
was furious about the way the Seminoles were treated.
He was determined to help maintain the Seminole heritage
and homeland. This determination led to his willingness
to take a leadership role within the tribe even though
he never had the formal title of Chief.
The County was named in honor
of "Chief" Osceola in 1887 when Osceola
County became Florida's 40th county.
Do
you have questions about damage to your Kissimmee
Florida home or business that was caused by water,
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