Orlando history

The history of Orlando is a remarkable tale of a small settlement transforming into the world's entertainment capital. Officially incorporated as a city in 1885, it has come a long way to define its vibrant appearance today. Its story began long before that, in the mid-19th century, during the height of the Seminole Wars. To protect settlers, Fort Gatlin was built in 1838, around which a small community gradually began to form.

Initially, this settlement was known as Jernigan, named after one of the first settlers, Aaron Jernigan. In 1857, it was renamed Orlando. Although the exact origin of the name remains a subject of debate, the most popular legend links it to a soldier named Orlando Reeves. According to tradition, he died in this area while on sentinel duty. Although historians have found no documentary evidence of such a soldier's existence, this story has become firmly embedded in local folklore.

In the late 19th century, the city's economy experienced a true citrus boom, turning Orlando into the centre of a thriving industry. A significant stimulus for development was the construction of the railway in the 1880s, which connected the isolated town with the rest of the country and facilitated trade growth. However, severe frosts at the end of the century dealt a serious blow to the plantations, forcing the city to seek new paths for development.

A turning point in Orlando's history came in the 1960s when Walt Disney began purchasing huge plots of land here in strict secrecy for his ambitious new project. The opening of Walt Disney World on 1 October 1971 was an event that forever changed the city's destiny. From a quiet agricultural centre, Orlando rapidly turned into one of the planet's main tourist magnets, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world annually.

1838 — To protect settlers from Native American raids during the Seminole Wars, the US Army establishes Fort Gatlin, around which a settlement begins to form.

1857 — The settlement, previously known as Jernigan, is officially renamed Orlando.

1875 — Orlando receives official status as a town, which becomes the first step towards its administrative recognition.

1880s — The construction of the railway boosts economic development, turning the city into the hub of Florida's "citrus boom".

1885 — Orlando receives city status, strengthening its position in the region.

1965 — Walt Disney secretly begins purchasing land southwest of Orlando to realise his ambitious "Project Florida".

1971 — On 1 October, the Magic Kingdom theme park opens, the first part of the future Walt Disney World complex, forever changing the economy and fate of the city.

1982 — Disney's second theme park opens — EPCOT Center, dedicated to international culture and technological innovation.

1989 — A professional sports team appears in Orlando — the NBA club "Orlando Magic", raising the city's prestige on the national stage.

1990 — Universal Studios Florida opens, offering visitors immersion into the world of cinema and cementing Orlando's status as the capital of theme parks.

1998 — The opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom takes place, the fourth major park within Walt Disney World.

Military Heritage and Foundation for Growth (1940s – 1970s)

In the mid-20th century, during the era of the Second World War and the subsequent Cold War, Orlando acquired strategic importance as a significant military centre. Pinecastle Army Airfield, later renamed McCoy Air Force Base, was located here. As an outpost of the US Strategic Air Command, it was the economic backbone of the region before the arrival of Disney. After its closure in 1975, Orlando International Airport rose in its place, which still bears the code MCO in honour of McCoy Base.

The Space Age and the Birth of a Scientific Hub (1960s)

Proximity to Florida's "Space Coast" played a key role in the city's destiny. In 1963, at the peak of the space race, Florida Technological University was founded, which later became known as the University of Central Florida (UCF). Its main mission was to train engineers and scientists to support the US space programme implemented at Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. This step laid the foundation for transforming Orlando into a powerful educational and research hub.

Technological Boom and Diversification (from the 1970s)

Based on its military and aerospace heritage, rapid technological growth began in Orlando. In 1978, the Central Florida Research Park was founded next to the UCF campus, becoming a centre for developments in the field of modelling and simulation for defence and space needs. Later, thanks to the "Florida High Tech Corridor" initiative, the city strengthened its position in industries such as optics, photonics, and digital media, successfully diversifying an economy previously dependent on tourism.

Entertainment Capital on a Global Scale (1990s)

Although Disney provided the initial push, it was the 1990s that turned Orlando into a multifaceted entertainment capital. The opening of Universal Studios Florida in 1990 marked the beginning of healthy competition. This stimulated the appearance of ever more new parks and attractions, including SeaWorld and Islands of Adventure. As a result, the city offered tourists an unprecedented variety of entertainment, finally securing its status as a global centre for family holidays.

Transformation into a Global Metropolis (from the 2000s)

The combination of booming tourism, a powerful technology sector, and a growing university led to a demographic explosion. The population of Orlando and its metropolitan area increased rapidly, requiring large-scale infrastructure development. The constant expansion of Orlando International Airport (MCO) and the modernisation of transport arteries, such as the I-4 highway, became symbols of the city's transformation into a large, dynamic metropolis that looks confidently into the future.

The architectural appearance of Orlando is a reflection of its rapid and unique history. Unlike older cities, classic European styles are almost nowhere to be found here; its palette was formed mainly in the 20th and 21st centuries. The city's development from a small agricultural centre to the world capital of entertainment determined an eclectic combination of practical historic buildings, Space Age modernism, and bold postmodernism.

Late 19th – Early 20th Century: From Utility to the "Florida Boom"

Early architecture in Orlando was concentrated in its historic centre and was predominantly functional in character. Buildings constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries reflected Southern architectural traditions, such as Frame Vernacular and elements of the Queen Anne style. In the 1920s, during the Florida land boom, the Mediterranean Revival style began to dominate the city. This style, with its arches, tiled roofs, and stucco walls, was ideally suited to the climate and created the image of a respectable resort city. Many historic buildings in the downtown area and old districts still preserve features of this era.

Mid-20th Century: Space Age Modernism

The post-war period and the development of the space programme on the neighbouring Cape Canaveral brought the spirit of modernism to Orlando. The architecture of this time is characterised by clean lines, the use of new materials such as glass and concrete, and a functional approach. A striking example of the Mid-century modern style was the round American Federal Savings and Loan building (1963), designed by Robert Murphy, with its recognisable lattice structure for sun protection (brise-soleil). This style symbolised the optimism and technological progress that swept the city.

Late 20th Century: Postmodernism and "Entertainment Architecture"

With the arrival of Disney in the 1970s, Orlando's architectural landscape changed forever. A whole movement appeared, which can be called "entertainment architecture" or thematic architecture. The pinnacle of this movement became Postmodernism — a style rejecting strict minimalism and returning playfulness, irony, and historical references to architecture. Cult examples are the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels (1990), designed by the famous architect Michael Graves. Their giant sculptures of swans and dolphins on the roofs and playful forms became the calling card of postmodernism in Orlando.

Another iconic project of the era was the town of Celebration, planned by the Disney company in the 1990s according to the principles of "New Urbanism". Leading architects, including Michael Graves and Philip Johnson, created an idealised American town here, where classic styles, such as Colonial and Victorian, mixed with postmodern ideas.

Modern Look: Glass, Steel, and Cultural Centres

Modern downtown Orlando continues to grow upwards. Its skyline is formed by high-rise buildings of glass and steel, such as the SunTrust Center, one of the tallest skyscrapers in the city, built in 1988. New cultural objects, for example, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, demonstrate the latest trends in world architecture, combining bold forms with functionality and creating new points of attraction in the dynamically developing metropolis.

Walt Disney

Role: Entrepreneur, producer, founder of The Walt Disney Company.

Significance to the city: Although Walt Disney did not live in Orlando, his decision to build "Project Florida" here was a turning point in the city's history. The secret land acquisition in the 1960s and the subsequent opening of Walt Disney World in 1971 turned a quiet agricultural region into the world capital of theme parks and one of the planet's main tourism hubs. His vision forever changed the economy, demographics, and cultural landscape of Orlando.

Orlando Reeves

Role: US Army soldier (legendary figure).

Significance to the city: Orlando Reeves is a central figure in local folklore related to the origin of the city's name. According to the most popular legend, he was a sentinel during the Seminole Wars in the 1830s and sacrificed himself to warn his comrades of an impending attack. Although historians have found no documentary evidence of his existence, it is believed that the city was named in his honour, making him the symbolic founder of Orlando.

Jack Kerouac

Role: Writer, poet, leader of the Beat Generation.

Significance to the city: One of the greatest American writers of the 20th century lived in a small house in the College Park neighbourhood of Orlando in 1957–1958. It was here, at the peak of his fame after the release of the novel "On the Road", that he wrote the manuscript for his next book — "The Dharma Bums". Today his home, known as The Kerouac Project, is a historic site and serves as a residence for aspiring writers.

Bob Ross

Role: Painter, television host.

Significance to the city: The famous creator and host of the television programme "The Joy of Painting" grew up in Orlando. His soothing voice and painting lessons, in which he taught how to create "happy little trees", made him a cult figure in pop culture. Bob Ross is buried in Gotha, a suburb of Orlando, and his grave still attracts fans who leave paintings and brushes there as a sign of respect.

Lou Pearlman

Role: Music producer.

Significance to the city: In the 1990s, Lou Pearlman turned Orlando into an epicentre of pop music by creating and producing world-famous boy bands here, including the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC. His studios and castings attracted a multitude of young talents to the city (including future stars such as Justin Timberlake) and secured Orlando's reputation as an important centre of the music industry.

Wesley Snipes

Role: Actor, producer.

Significance to the city: The world-famous actor, star of the films "Blade", "White Men Can't Jump", and "Demolition Man", was born in Orlando. Although his career developed in Hollywood, he is one of the most famous natives of the city to have achieved global recognition in cinema.

Buddy Dyer

Role: Politician, Mayor of Orlando.

Significance to the city: Holding the post of mayor since 2003, Buddy Dyer is one of the key figures in the modern development of Orlando. During his tenure, the city has experienced significant growth, transforming into a major technological and cultural centre. He oversaw the implementation of such large-scale projects as the construction of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and the football stadium, which significantly changed the face of downtown and strengthened the city's status.