Osowaw Junction, Florida facts for kids
Osowaw Junction is a fascinating ghost town located in Okeechobee County, Florida, United States. It's about 9 miles from a place called Yeehaw Junction. Today, the main road that goes through where the town used to be is US Route 441.
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What's in a Name?
The name "Osowaw" has a special meaning. It comes from the Seminole language. In Seminole, "Osowaw" means "bird". It's interesting how many places in Florida get their names from Native American words!
How Osowaw Junction Started
Osowaw Junction began to grow because of the Florida East Coast Railroad. In 1914, a train station was built there. This station was part of a new rail line. It helped connect the area to other parts of Florida. The town was located north of Fort Drum.
A Growing Community
With the train station, more people started to move to Osowaw Junction. The town's population grew steadily. By 1921, the community was big enough to have its own public school. This shows that families were settling down there.
Life in a Citrus Town
Osowaw Junction was known for its farms. It was a "citrus town." Farmers grew lots of tangerines and oranges. The warm Florida weather was perfect for these fruit groves. The railroad helped transport the fresh fruit to other places.
Why Osowaw Junction Became a Ghost Town
Sadly, Osowaw Junction didn't last forever. The main reason the town disappeared was because the rail line was abandoned. When the trains stopped running through the town, it lost its connection to the outside world. People moved away, and the town slowly vanished. Today, only traces of its past remain.
