Orange county has an area of 1,250 square miles. Its population in 1890 was 12,584. Owing to the effects of the great freeze in 1894-95 it was reduced to 11,374 in 1900 , and by 1910 it had far more than regained all losses, with an enumeration of 19,107. Without question Orange county is one of the richest in soil, in climate and in its wealth of energetic citizens. By the Legislature of 1913 the county of Seminole was created from the northern part of Orange county, and by this change the rich territory bordering Lake Monroe and embracing the famous “Celery Delta” of Sanford, was transferred to other jurisdiction. This division of the county is so recent that separate statistics are not yet available, and necessarily the description of Orange county must, for the present, include that of the new division.

The soils of Orange county are varied, rich and adapted to the production of an immense variety of fruits and vegetables. All the citrus varieties, pineapple, guavas, Japanese persimmons, peaches, pears, grapes and strawberries are among the crops thriving here. Orlando was formerly the center for the raising of the higher grade pineapples, and although the product is limited, the fruit commands the highest prices in the markets.

The county is diversified by many beautiful little lakes and streams, by magnificent oaks and magnolias, and these with other attractions have made Orange county, particularly in the vicinity of Orlando, the winter residence place of hundreds of northern people. Magnificent homes have been erected, surrounded by all the charms that nature has to offer. The city of Orlando is the capital of the county, and in 1910 had a population of about 4, 000. It is a city of beautiful homes, fine buildings, excellent municipal improvements and seemingly unlimited enterprise. The county has excellent rail transportation and probably a greater railroad mileage than any other county in the state, with the possible exception of Hillsborough. Scattered along these railroad lines are numerous little cities and towns all giving evidence of prosperity and enterprise. Without making invidious discussions against other localities in the state, it is but fair to state that the man who wishes to make his home in Florida through all the year or for the winter months, should at least visit Orange county before making his final selection.

Source: Chapin, George M., Florida, 1513-1913, Past, Present and Future, Four Hundred Years of War and Peace and Industrial Development, (c) 1914, Volume 1, 622-623