Sugar Belt Railroad Historical Marker

This historical marker shares information about the Sugar Belt Railway Line, which was established in 1889 by Hamilton Disston. In its early years, this railroad transported freight, including sugar and citrus between the towns of Narcoossee and Kissimmee. The area's sugar industry was boosted in the 1890s as Congress paid sugar producers in Florida a bounty of 2 cents per pound in an effort to slow sugar imports and encourage domestic production. Processed cane was hauled in barrels by the Sugar Belt Railroad to Kissimmee's steamboat, wharves, and railroad depot. The railroad was dismantled in 1942.

Historical Sites in Osceola County, Florida, ESRI. Accessed February 3rd 2020. https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapTour/index.html?appid=517305a63c8945ef856b6dc0dd4da61a.

Robinson, Jim. Sweet truth about Osceola County's history includes sugar, July 5th 2005. Accessed February 3rd 2020. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2005-07-03-ojimr03-story.html.

Sugar Belt Railway/VFW Post, Accessed February 3rd 2020. https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMRP97.