You’ll discover Kicco’s remnants along the Kissimmee River in East Polk County, Florida, where a bustling cattle company town once thrived. Founded in 1915 by the Kissimmee Island Cattle Company, this settlement supported 250 workers and their families with a general store, windmill-powered water tower, and schoolhouse. Though economic shifts and transportation changes led to its decline in the 1930s, concrete foundations and old sidewalks still whisper stories of Florida’s ranching heritage.
Key Takeaways
- Kicco is an abandoned Florida town founded in 1915 by the Kissimmee Island Cattle Company along the Kissimmee River.
- The ghost town’s remains include concrete sidewalks, foundations, and a windmill-powered water tower within KICCO Wildlife Management Area.
- Once home to 250 cattle company workers and families, Kicco declined in the 1930s due to economic shifts and transportation changes.
- The site is now part of a 7,000-acre conservation area featuring diverse ecosystems and the Florida National Scenic Trail.
- Kicco’s historical significance stems from its role in Florida’s cattle industry and river commerce during the early 20th century.
The Rise of a Cattle Company Town
While many Florida ghost towns emerged from short-lived railroad stops or mining ventures, Kicco’s story began in 1915 as a strategic cattle operation along the Kissimmee River.
The Kissimmee Island Cattle Company established this significant outpost in Polk County when river trade dominated regional commerce and horseback was the primary mode of inland transport.
You’ll find Kicco’s location was perfectly positioned near waterways that connected Lake Okeechobee to the broader river system, making it an essential hub for steamboat traffic.
The town grew rapidly during the post-Civil War cattle boom, supporting the development of central Florida’s ranching industry. Cowboys earned their nickname from the distinct sound of their cracker bullwhips echoing across the open range.
As nearby towns like Kissimmee and Sebring expanded, Kicco’s cattle ranching operations helped meet the increasing demand for beef across the region. The town served as a vital way station for travelers and traders moving through central Florida.
Daily Life and Community Infrastructure
Despite its remote location along the Kissimmee River, Kicco developed into a well-organized community that supported roughly 250 cattle company employees and their families.
In Florida’s untamed wilderness, Kicco grew from riverside isolation into a bustling cattle town of 250 souls.
You’d find a thriving settlement where daily routines centered around the cattle company’s operations, with essential infrastructure built to withstand the swampy terrain. Today, wild alligators roam through the abandoned structures, serving as natural protectors of the town’s historical remains.
- A general store served as the hub for supplies and community gatherings
- A windmill-powered water tower provided fresh water to residents
- Concrete sidewalks and foundations created permanent pathways through town
- A schoolhouse educated both local and neighboring ranch children
- A church and cemetery established by Lewis Henry Thomas anchored social life
The village’s strategic location along the river enabled ferry service and riverboat transport, connecting you to nearby towns while supporting the region’s cattle industry. The area saw significant changes when the bombing range was established in the 1940s, forcing residents to relocate.
Economic Decline and Abandonment
As Kicco’s economic foundation relied heavily on river transportation through the Kissimmee River, the town’s fate was sealed when roads and railways emerged in the 1930s.
These economic shifts dealt a devastating blow to the once-thriving company town of 250 workers.
You’ll find that Kicco’s downfall wasn’t just about transportation evolution. The town’s dependency on the Kissimmee Island Cattle Company created vulnerable economic conditions, with workers trapped in a system of company scrip and controlled wages.
Similar to the Sherman Mill operation in High Coria, the town experienced restricted worker wages through an exploitative company store system.
Environmental disasters, particularly fires from logging operations, caused significant damage while deforestation depleted essential natural resources. The steamboat landing infrastructure, once vital for cattle trade, fell into disuse.
When modern infrastructure bypassed the river-based supply chains, Kicco couldn’t adapt. The combination of these factors turned this once-bustling cattle and logging hub into another Florida ghost town.
Natural Landscape and Geographic Setting
Situated along the Kissimmee River in East Polk County, Florida, Kicco occupies a diverse ecological landscape between Lake Kissimmee and the Avon Park Bombing Range.
The area’s geographic features showcase nature’s raw beauty, from dry scrub lands to expansive marshlands, creating a haven for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts. Like a well-structured disambiguation page, the varied terrain naturally guides visitors to distinct ecological zones of interest. The closest civilization is Indian Lake Estates, approximately 7 miles to the west.
- Oak hammocks provide shaded spots for primitive camping and hiking
- The Kissimmee River and its oxbow lakes shape the region’s water systems
- Blanket Bay Slough offers secluded wetland exploration opportunities
- Seasonal water levels determine accessibility to various ecological zones
- The Florida National Scenic Trail winds through 11 miles of varied terrain
You’ll find exceptional ecological diversity here, with the landscape evolving from upland scrub to lowland marsh areas.
The region’s isolation, bordered by military grounds and preservation zones, has helped maintain its untamed character.
Heritage and Modern Conservation Efforts
Once a thriving company town established by the Kissimmee Island Cattle Company in 1915, Kicco played an essential role in Florida’s cattle industry and river commerce until its decline in the early 1930s.
Much like other early 1900s settlements, Kicco emerged during Florida’s land boom but ultimately could not sustain its population.
You’ll find its cultural significance deeply rooted in the region’s history, from its connection to Fort Kissimmee and the Seminole Wars to its role in supporting Confederate troops during the Civil War.
Today, you can explore the ghost town’s remnants within the KICCO Wildlife Management Area, where wildlife preservation efforts protect over 7,000 acres of diverse ecosystems.
While walking the Florida Trail or biking the shell road, you’ll discover concrete foundations and old sidewalks that tell the story of this self-sufficient community, now transformed into a haven for native wildlife and outdoor recreation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were There Any Notable Crimes or Incidents Reported During Kicco’s Operational Years?
Like the calm waters of Kissimmee River, you’ll find no ripples of crime incidents in historical records during Kicco’s company town years – just routine cattle operations and river trade.
What Happened to the Residents After KICCO Was Abandoned?
After KICCO’s decline, you’d find former residents scattered to nearby cattle towns with better road access. They’d moved to places like Kissimmee and Sebring, adapting to jobs away from river-based trade.
Did Any Famous People or Celebrities Ever Visit KICCO?
You won’t find records of any famous visitors or celebrity sightings in Kicco’s history. The town mainly served cattle workers and riverboat traffic rather than attracting well-known personalities.
What Was the Average Population of KICCO During Its Peak?
During peak years around 1915-1920s, you’d find about 250 average residents in town, mostly company workers and their families supported by the cattle operation’s mess hall and company store.
Were There Any Churches or Religious Gatherings in KICCO?
Like searching for a needle in a haystack, you won’t find records of Kicco churches or religious gatherings. While nearby towns had their spiritual centers, Kicco focused purely on cattle operations.
References
- https://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~gtusa/usa/fl.htm
- https://www.legendsofamerica.com/fort-kissimmee-florida/
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34371-d553956-Reviews-KICCO_Wildlife_Management_Area-Lake_Wales_Florida.html
- https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/fl/kicco.html
- https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1994/05/22/gators-guard-relics-of-a-ghost-town/
- https://www.westgateresorts.com/hotels/florida/river-ranch/westgate-river-ranch-resort/overview/history/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VncwUYRhCXU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcg0nh7HMT4
- https://floridahikes.com/florida-trail-kicco-south/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxBONhwNi1k
