To plan your ghost town road trip to Chosen, Florida, start in Paisley and head into Lake County’s rural backroads. Once called Kismet, this forgotten citrus community was wiped out by the catastrophic freeze of 1889. Today, only scattered remnants and early 1900s homes remain. You won’t need special gear — just curiosity and a sense of adventure. Pair it with nearby Kerr City for a fuller Central Florida ghost town experience, and there’s much more to uncover ahead.
Key Takeaways
- Chosen, originally called Kismet, is a ghost town in Lake County, Florida, erased by the devastating freeze of 1889.
- Begin your road trip in nearby Paisley, where Walt Disney’s grandparents are buried, adding cultural significance to your journey.
- No special gear is needed; simply drive north from Orlando toward Eustis and explore rural Central Florida roads.
- Extend your trip by visiting Kerr City, another 1889 freeze victim, keeping your route west of the Florida Turnpike.
- Slow down to discover roadside historical markers and small cemeteries, as sparse remnants and early 1900s homes still remain.
What’s Left of Chosen, Florida Today
Although Chosen technically doesn’t exist on any official map, what you’re really searching for is Kismet, a once-thriving citrus community in Lake County that the devastating 1889 freeze erased from Florida’s landscape.
Kismet history reveals a surprisingly vibrant past — a 50-room hotel, flourishing orange groves, and wealthy snowbirds chasing warm winters.
Today, ghost town remnants are admittedly sparse. The hotel itself was relocated to nearby Eustis, where it stood until demolition in 1955.
What survives are scattered early 1900s homes and the land itself, quietly holding stories most travelers never discover.
Paisley, just down the road, preserves the gravesite of Walt Disney’s grandparents, adding unexpected cultural weight to your visit.
You won’t find interpretive signs or tourist infrastructure — just raw, unfiltered Florida history waiting for you to uncover it.
The Disney Family History Buried in Chosen, Florida
Drive into nearby Paisley, and you’ll stand at the graves of Walt’s grandparents, where Family Legacy meets forgotten landscape.
This connection transforms your ghost town visit into something genuinely profound. You’re not just touring abandoned citrus groves — you’re walking ground that shaped one of history’s most imaginative empires, long before anyone ever dreamed of a magic kingdom.
Where Chosen, Florida Is and How to Get There
Tucked into Lake County in Central Florida, Chosen — now better known by its original name, Kismet — sits near the small community of Paisley, west of the Florida Turnpike.
To explore this slice of Kismet history, drive north from Orlando toward Eustis, then head into the surrounding rural roads that wind through Central Florida’s quiet interior.
Head north from Orlando toward Eustis, then lose yourself in Central Florida’s winding rural roads.
No boat or special gear required — just an open road and a curious spirit.
While you’re in the area, don’t miss the Paisley gravesites where Walt Disney’s grandparents are buried, adding another layer of meaning to your journey.
This ghost town road trip delivers raw history without the crowds, letting you move freely through a landscape that most travelers completely overlook.
Nearby Ghost Towns That Pair Well With a Chosen Day Trip
Once you’ve soaked in the history of Kismet, Lake County rewards you with more ghost town stops worth folding into the same day trip.
Kerr City sits nearby, another casualty of the same devastating 1889 freeze that erased entire communities built on citrus history. You can explore its abandoned structures and feel the weight of a boom-and-bust era that reshaped Central Florida forever.
Stretch your route further south and hit Fort Drum, west of the Florida Turnpike, where a preserved schoolhouse and cemetery anchor the site.
Head east toward the coast for St. Joseph near Port St. Joe, a former state capital swallowed by storms. Each stop deepens the story, turning a single afternoon into a full-blown journey through Florida’s forgotten past.
Planning a Central Florida Loop Around Chosen and Kerr City
Mapping out a Central Florida loop that strings Chosen (historically known as Kismet) and Kerr City together takes minimal planning but pays off in depth.
Start near Paisley in Lake County, where Kismet history comes alive through the Disney family connection and remnants of a once-thriving citrus community. You’ll feel the weight of the 1889 freeze that silenced everything here.
From Kismet, push east toward Kerr City, another Lake County casualty of the same era. Keep your route west of the Florida Turnpike for seamless travel between sites.
Ghost town exploration rewards those who move slowly, so build in time for roadside markers and small cemeteries. This loop covers serious historical ground without demanding more than a single determined day from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Year Did Kismet Land and Improvement Company Originally Found Kismet?
You’ll find that Kismet’s founders breathed life into this charming citrus haven in 1884, when the Kismet Land and Improvement Company established it. Exploring Kismet history reveals a golden era of freedom before nature’s wrath intervened.
Can Visitors Access Kismet Without a Boat or Special Vehicle?
You’ll love that Kismet accessibility is simple — no boat or special vehicle needed! Drive straight to this Lake County gem near Paisley for rich visitor experiences, exploring Disney family history and Central Florida’s fascinating ghost town heritage freely.
Did the 1889 Freeze Affect Other Florida Ghost Towns Beyond Kismet?
Yes, the 1889 freeze devastated multiple Florida ghost towns beyond Kismet! You’ll discover that Florida freezes reshaped entire ghost town history, wiping out citrus communities like Kerr City and crushing the late 19th-century boom that once promised limitless freedom.
What Other Antique Shops Exist Near the Kismet and Paisley Area?
Antique hunting around Kismet and Paisley puts plenty of possibilities at your fingertips! You’ll uncover local treasures at the White City Marketplace, while Eustis and surrounding Lake County towns offer additional shops brimming with fascinating historical finds.
Was Kismet Ever Considered a Former Florida State Capital?
No, Kismet’s history never included a state capital designation. You’ll find it was a thriving citrus community, not a political hub. St. Joseph held that former capital distinction, making it a far more compelling ghost town story!
References
- https://www.timeout.com/florida/florida-ghost-towns
- https://www.oneworld365.org/blog/florida-ghost-towns
- https://fdc.com/blog/ghost-towns-in-florida/
- https://secretmiami.com/spooky-ghost-towns-florida/
- https://www.florida-backroads-travel.com/florida-ghost-towns.html
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RedlKMmwt8I
- https://floridatrailblazer.com/tag/ghost-towns/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXGAKmjGMXg
