Irlo Bronson, Sr.

Irlo Overstreet Bronson Sr. (August 3, 1900 – March 3, 1973) was an American Democratic politician, rancher and land owner in the state of Florida. Bronson is perhaps best known for selling land to Walt Disney as part of the construction of Florida's Walt Disney World.

Biography

Bronson was born into a prominent cattle ranching family (Includes a photo of Irlo Bronson with Henry Reaves, Charles "Shang" Bronson, and others in working attire with horses and stetsons.) The party appears to be wearing brogans instead of "cowboy boots". His maternal grandfather, Eleazar Lewis Daniel (E.L.D.) Overstreet, had previously served in the Florida House of Representatives.

Bronson is perhaps best known as the owner of some land which Walt Disney Productions purchased that would later become part of the grounds of Walt Disney World. He also was the founder and president of the Florida Cattlemen's Association from 1946 to 1950. Following his death in 1973, a large section of U.S. Route 192, including the section leading to the entrance of Walt Disney World, was named the Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in his memory. and the Mid-Florida Business Hall of Fame on November 14, 1985.

His son, Irlo "Bud" Bronson Jr. served originally as a Democrat, later as a Republican, Florida State Representative from District 79, having been initially elected in 1982.