Yeehaw Junction, Florida

Encyclopedia : Y : YE : YEE : Yeehaw Junction, Florida

Yeehaw Junction is an unincorporated area located in Osceola County, Florida, USA. This area was confused with Lake Buenaventura (Buenaventura Lakes) CDP (census designated place) in the 2000 census. The correct data for this area was not recorded. [link]

Geography

Yeehaw Junction is located at [27°42′00″N, 80°54′16″W] (27.7, -80.90444). It is located at the intersection of US 441 (SR 15), SR 60 and Florida's Turnpike, approximately 30 miles west of Vero Beach and 30 miles north of Lake Okeechobee, Florida. The nearest incorporated area is the ghost town of Kenansville some fifteen miles north on U.S. 441 at the junction of Canoe Creek Road (Osceola County Road 523) The location was named after the Yeehaw station on the Florida East Coast Railway, several miles to the east on SR 60.

History

According to town historians and several original newspaper articles that are displayed at the Desert Inn and Restaurant National Historical site, the town was originally named "Jackass Junction". This name was given to the four corner site back in the early 1930s, when local ranchers rode on burros to visit the Desert Inn (then the local brothel). As the 1950s approached, the Florida legislature felt that a name change was due-the construction of Florida's Turnpike through the center of the community in 1957 demanded such a change- and "Yeehaw Junction" was selected. The Desert Inn still operates today as a restaurant and hotel, and tours of the original brothel rooms are given on request.

Today, Yeehaw Junction is known as a major stopping point for tourists coming from South Florida on Florida's Turnpike who want to purchase conditional discount tickets for various tourist attractions in the Orlando, Florida area.

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