Kicco was short for The Kissimmee Island Cattle Company. It was a company town from 1915 - to the late 1920's. Their business was cattle and other business along the river. At one time there were many homes, a bunkhouse, mess hall, company store, ice house, school, and a steam boat landing. Access was usually by boat as was many of the towns along the Kissimmee River. None of the structures exist today. The last structures were a home and the school. Both were demolished when the South Florida Water District bought the property in 1980 and there were no takers for the buildings. Submitted by: Mike Woodfin

Next to River Ranch Resort, is the less known RRPOA primitive camping and recreation area. Basically it is a 70 acre area owned by individual landowners exclusively for recreation. Mostly hunting and 4-wheeling. When I was a child, my uncle owned land there, and I would go camping with him and my stepfather and cousins. I recall, and have pictures to prove it, visiting the Kicco site accidentally during my last trip out there trip April 1984.

At the time, none of us knew the history of the place. We were simply exploring the land of River Ranch in our 4x4s, and we came across two abandoned buildings... the schoolhouse and a residence. We stopped there for lunch, and I grabbed a few pictures of the buildings with my 110 camera. I was only 9 or 10 years old at the time, but I have the photos to prove that the buildings did exist as late as 1985 or '86. This contradicts the information on your website that says the buildings were torn down in 1980. Also, I would have to question who actually owns the land the structures sit on.. Is it really SWFMD or is it part of the River Ranch property owners area? It is fully possible that the Swiftmud land may adjoin the River Ranch land and we inadvertantly crossed the boundary during our explorations. In either case, I am now itching to go back out there and see for myself if the buildings are indeed torn down. Time to get in touch with my long estranged uncle again!

I found this excellent article dated Dec 1992, that cleared up a few of the mysteries about Kicco for me. According to this article, the structures were indeed knocked down circa 1990. And I would be willing to bet that the house I saw was what is referred to as the Elijah Godwin homestead, just north of Kicco. I do recall that it was a short drive from the Schoolhouse.

http://www.polkcountyhistory.org/pdf/dec92.pdf

When the SWFMD bought the property they offered the school to any takers. None appeared and it was demolished.
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

Town of Kicco along the banks of the Kissimmee River
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

Kicco water tower
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

Kicco Schoolhouse, April 1984
Courtesy Bryan Otto

Kicco home, April 1984
Courtesy Bryan Otto

Kicco home, April 1984
Courtesy Bryan Otto

Kicco home, April 1984
Courtesy Bryan Otto

Outhouse or shed? (Photographer's cousin in the corner) Kicco, 1984
Courtesy Bryan Otto