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Osceola County, Florida - In 1935, George C. seized a tremendous opportunity; he purchased 50,000 acres of land that had recently reverted back to Florida through The Murphy Act (which provided for statutory forfeiture of land for non payment of taxes). This was the beginning of the Bronsons' immense cattle kingdom.

In 1897, George C. had married Spicey Vianna Overstreet and their son Irlo Overstreet Bronson had been born in Kissimmee in August 1900. Irlo was raised in the cattlemen's tradition of hard work and appreciation for the land. He graduated from Osceola High School and in 1929 he married Flora Bass. They had a daughter named Evelyn Bronson and a son named Irlo Overstreet Bronson, Jr., who became the fourth generation of Bronson cattlemen.

Irlo Sr. represented Osceola County in the Florida House of Representatives from 1942 until 1952, when he was elected to the State Senate, in which he served until 1967. In total, he served 25 years in the Florida Legislature. However, he always maintained his cattleman's heritage, founding the Florida Cattlemen's Association in 1946.

Like his father George, Irlo Sr. was generous with his money and his time. He gave to churches, to the needy and to many charitable organizations. He donated land to the Cattleman's Association which became home to the Osceola County Art and Culture Center.

Of all his contributions to the area, perhaps the most notable is that he "opened the door to Walt Disney World". He sold land to Walt Disney Productions for just over $100 an acre. Overnight, the price of that land jumped in value to $15,000 an acre! While his family thought he had made a bad deal, Irlo didn't; he saw "a future that included better career opportunities and incentives for young people to stay in the area." Following Irlo Sr.'s death in 1973, portions of U.S. Hwy 192 leading to Walt Disney World were renamed Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in his honor.

The heritage of the county that was his birthplace was shaped and founded under the great leadership of this pioneering cattleman and his family. Today and always we will be grateful to more than just a man; more than just a family; we pay tribute to a dynasty.