Okeechobee was derived from the Indian words "Oki" meaning Water and "Chobee" meaning Big. One of the outstanding battles of the Seminole War was fought in this vicinity on Christmas Day, 1837. A monument marks the spot on U.S. 441 S.E. Okeechobee City was incorporated in 1915.

Since the early 1900's, the area around Lake Okeechobee has been an important provider of agricultural products. Okeechobee County is historically known for its cattle ranches, some of the best fresh water fishing in the United States and orange groves. It is also is a thriving community of many diverse agribusiness interests.

POPULAR LINKS: http://www.co.okeechobee.fl.us Board of County Commissioners
http://www.cityofokeechobee.com/ City of Okeechobee
http://www.floridastateparks.org/kissimmeeprairie Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
http://www.okeechobee-tdc.com/index.html Okeechobee Tourism Page

KISSIMMEE PRAIRIE PRESERVE STATE PARK
The Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is located about 3 miles just north of this property. This park is a preserve, it protects one of the largest remaining stretches of Florida dry prairie, home to an array of endangered plants and animals. While driving the five-mile -long road into the park, visitors can enjoy sweeping vistas of grasslands reminiscent of the Great Plains of the Midwest. The park offers excellent seasonal birding opportunities and is home to the endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow, as well as the crested caracara and sandhill crane. Over 100 miles of dirt roads allow hikers, bicyclists, and horse lovers to explore prairies, wetlands, and shady hammocks. Ranger-led prairie buggy tours take visitors to remote areas of the park. For overnight stays, the park has full-facility and primitive equestrian campgrounds. Kissimmee Prairie's remote location makes it one of Florida's premier locations for stargazing.

DEMOGRAPHICS As of the census of 2000, there were 35,910 people, 12,593 households, and 9,016 families residing in the county. The population density was 46/mi². There were 15,504 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 79.28% White, 7.92% Black or African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 9.56% from other races, and 1.99% from two or more races. 18.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 12,593 households out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.50% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.40% were non-families. 21.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.07.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Fishing, Boating, Airboating, Biking, Hiking, Hunting, Bird Watching, Camping, Golfing, Clay Shooting, Equestrian

Okeechobee County Cattlemen's Association Rodeo Events In celebration of the rich heritage of the beef cattle ranching industry in Okeechobee, the Okeechobee County Cattlemen's Association presents two professional rodeo events a year. These events take place the second weekend in March and Labor Day weekend at the Okeechobee Cattlemen's Arena on Hwy. 441 N. Cattle ranching is the oldest industry in Okeechobee County. The Cattlemen's Association professional rodeo events have been a part of celebrating and honoring beef cattle ranching in this community for well over 50 years. Over 150 families make up the membership of the Okeechobee Cattlemen's Association and twice a year they take a break from their ranch work and bring what many describe as the "wildest rodeo east of the Mississippi". These family oriented rodeo events include a complete line up of Mutton Bustin' and Calf Scramble for kids, Special Guest Acts along with exciting professional cowboys & cowgirls competing in Saddle Bronc, Bareback, Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing, Wild Horse Races and the ever favorite Bull Riding.

CITRUS The citrus industry has been a vital part of Okeechobee's agribusiness community for any years. Today, land moving into citrus production is on the upswing as part of a growing statewide trend brought on by the severe freeze of the 1980's in central Florida. Currently there are 12,170 acres of citrus groves in the county. Citrus is part of the diversification of the area land from cattle and dairy into other agribusiness interests. These interests include vegetable and sod farming, ornamentals, and even exotic animal and alligator farming.

DAIRY The rapid urbanization of South Florida's coastal region moved the dairy industry in to Okeechobee County. Today it impacts the local economy by $100 million dollars annually and is an important provider of jobs, both on the farm and in support industries. Okeechobee area dairies rank among the largest in the United States, with an average herd size of over 1,000 cows. The 36,000 dairy cows in Okeechobee produce 61,000,000 gallons of milk annually, equal to 1/4 of the states production. In 1987 the dairy rule forced many dairy farmers to relocate again or cease operation. Those who stayed have spent over $30 million dollars to comply with the legislation. Their newly designed or remodeled facilities have environmentally sound waste management systems that can generate tons of top soil for their urban neighbors. An industry in transition, diary farmers continue to meet the challenge.

BEEF INDUSTRY Okeechobee County is home to many of Florida's traditional cattle ranching families who have proven to be both tough and adaptable. There are 65,000 head of beef cattle in the county, and the industry hinges on the production of feeder calves-animals sold when they are 6 to 10 months in age and weighing 400-600 pounds. Ranchers practice the customary cow calf method of operation but have benefited from industry enhancements such as improved breeder stock, superior grasses, better health practices, and an ever expanding delivery system.

The Okeechobee Livestock Market was built in the 1930's by the local Cattlemen's Association to meet the industry's need for a regional trading center. Now locally owned & operated, the Okeechobee Livestock Market is the largest volume market in Florida, selling around 150,000 head of cattle through the auction ring annually.

If you have any questions, please contact us and we will be happy to answer them 561-338-1890 Ext. 303.

Payment must be made by Paypal or Money Order within 3 days of the end of the auction. Good luck!