Okeechobee County  ---  was formed from parts of Osceola, St. Lucy, and Palm Beach Counties on August 7, 1917.  A Delegation headed by William Lee Coats known as "Okeechobee Bill" had spent several weeks in Tallahassee working with the legislature for passage of their Bill.  Okeechobee City was laid out by Railroad Engineers for The "Okeechobee  Company", a branch of the Florida East Coast Railway, which had built the  Kissimmee River Valley Extension , entering Okeechobee City in 1914.  At the time of the Florida Boom (1920's), the area was advertised as the "Chicago of the South".  After the "Bust" it was just a  sleepy little county in South Central Florida with a population of about 1500 people.  I moved here in 1937, when I was two years old.    At that time the only jobs to be had were either in the Fishing Industry, or day work as a Cowboy. From that time until now, some seventy one years, I have witnessed much change.  The pictures that you will see on the following pages capture the progress and flavor of Okeechobee County.  Let me know how you liked the story and pictures. Now Push the SELECTION BAR and on with the show. 

Tommy Markham

markm1935@embarqmail.com

Inter any Word, Name, or Phrase in Box Below and Press Search.  The Search Engine will Find that Item in My Presentation for you.  For Exact Phrases or Names, place a quotation mark before and after your entry, i.e. "John Doe"    Thank You.

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Okeechobee Picture of the Month

This American History and Genealogy Project site is owned by Okeechobee County, Florida A Pictorial History. [ Previous 5 Sites | Join | Previous | Next ] [ Next 5 Sites | Random Site | List Sites ]