Prior to being known by its current name, Orlando was known as Jernigan. This originates from the first permanent settler, Aaron Jernigan, a cattleman who acquired land along Lake Holden by the terms of the Armed Occupation Act of 1842.
William Harrison Holden arrived in Orlando from Virginia in 1865, after serving Watson’s Company Florida Mounted Troops during the Civil War. After acquiring the property and cattle from Aaron Jernigan, the Holden family settled on what is now know know as Lake Holden and homesteaded 1,200 acres of land. Holden raised cattle on his land and was the first to bring the Brahman bull to the Florida strain of cattle
We’ve complied a few “little stories” for your reading enjoyment:
- Arron Jernigan, Orlando’s earliest settler.
- Aaron Jernigan Historical Marker
- 1st Homesteader Selected Site Next To Lake Holden
- Jernigan Hunt, about Lake Holden and the Aaron Jernigan connection.
- Interview with Mrs. Emma Jernigan Yates dated Nov 8, 1973.
- Memoirs of Mrs. Martha Tyler. Mrs. Tyler (daughter of Aaron Jernigan)the last survivor of Ft. Gatlin.
- W H Holden
- Holden Heights
- Lake Holden by Ms Elaine Pennington (Current Lake Holden resident.)