The Yates Fords

In the 1880's and earlier, as settlements in Osceola County were just beginning, there were few true roads, mostly wagon trails, and no bridges over Shingle Creek. The road west, Vine Street, led to three fords associated with Jim Yates, also called Matthew's Ford, William Henry Yates Ford, and Jack Yates Ford, which was on the old Fort Mellon-Fort Brooke Trail. Later, in the early 1900's, the Babb family settled along Shingle Creek on property crossed by some of those fords. After roads and bridges were established, the names and locations faded from use, but at the time they were essential to the creation of the communities of Shingle Creek and Kissimmee.

Florida · United States