River Ranch RV Resort, River Ranch, FL
Overview
Seminole Indians, Spanish colonists, and American immigrants grazed cattle in Florida long before cowboys came to represent the American West in the late 19th century. Some of the same land that those early cowboys explored years ago is where River Ranch is situated.
The Seminole and Brahman Indians once lived on the original River Ranch land and thousands of adjacent acres. The Indian tribe who used to hunt and fish in this region gave Brahman Island in Lake Kissimmee its name.
During its early years, the ranch served as a staging area for the herds of cattle from Melbourne and Sarasota that were sent to Cuba. The Florida Trail, which still remains and can be found off the main boulevard entry of River Ranch, was used by the cowboys to move livestock.
Kicco, the original settlement that evolved into River Ranch, was made up of a few modest cabins and a school. Steamships were used to transport mail to a hook system attached to the river's bank. Additionally, food and other necessities were shipped by boat.