Steve Rajtar

A Guide to Historic Orlando Steve Rajtar

Orlando is a thriving city with humble roots.

In 1838 a simple wooden fort was built in the plains of Central Florida to welcome pioneers heading down from all corners of the southeast, and to offer protection from the constant Seminole Indian attacks that plagued the area. Eventually Fort Gatlin offered settlers a chance to establish homesteads and take advantage of the warm Floridian climate. The first wave established a flourishing cattle-based economy and the area took on the appearance of a Wild West town, with frequent Indian uprisings, local cowboys and cattle wrangling.

Fort Gatlin soon became the bustling city of Orlando, as the years progressed tourism replaced cattle as a major player in the economy, lead by the booming establishment of major amusement parks such as Walt Disney World. However, the thread of history remains intact and signs of Orlando's intriguing past can still be seen among the new cityscape, if one knows where to look.

A Guide to Historic Orlando, by local historian and tour guide Steve Rajtar, leads readers through the decades of days gone by with words and pictures, and through the present-day city of Orlando's neighborhoods and districts with a street-by-street guide. There's no better way to experience the vibrant history and heritage of Orlando.