Fifty-four Forty or Fight!

 

There is a word in Turkish that means “fate,” “karma,” or “destiny.” The word is Kismet. It was adopted into the English language in the 19th century, where it’s taken on a more positive aspect, like “luck,” “providence,” or “serendipity.” In 1884 a town was founded just outside of Orlando by the Kismet Land and Improvement Company. Kismet, Florida quickly became a prosperous citrus town. A 50-room hotel was built there, and there were plans to extend a rail line. Walt Disney’s mom and dad met in Kismet, and were married in a local church. But December 29, 1894, a cold snap sent temperatures plummeting to 18 degrees, decimating the citrus crops. Anything that survived was killed February 9, when another hard freeze hit. Most Kismet residents lost everything and left for greener pastures. Today, Kismet is a ghost town, swallowed by the Ocala National Forest. Kismet is a knife that cuts both ways.