Glades County, named in honor of the Florida Everglades was created in 1921. Moore Haven, located along the banks of Lake Okeechobee, the largest freshwater lake in the state of Florida, holds the title of county seat for Glades County. Moore Haven, named after founder James A. Moore, was once a booming and bustling town, so much so that it was nicknamed, "Little Chicago". However, in 1921 there was a devastating fire that consumed the city, and took nearly 5 years of reconstruction to bring back it back to normality. Near the end of this reconstruction period, the Great Miami Hurricane of 1926 wiped out the city causing nearly 200 deaths and destroyed over half of the buildings throughout the city. This catastrophe changed the entire landscape of the city of Moore Haven. Only two years later, the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane struck the area once more, decimating the places that were beginning to recover from the Great Miami Hurricane.

Today cities such as Buckeye Ridge, Ortona, Palmdale, Lakeport and Moore Haven call Glades County 'home'. Located on Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee River provides opportunities for plenty of water recreation! Fishing, boating, swimming and bird watching are part of everyday life in Glades County. Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area is 40 miles of bald cypress swamps, hardwood hammocks and incredible kayaking! This wildlife area is critical to the survival of the Florida Panther, Florida Black Bear, Cranes, Kites and a number of other species that are native to this area. Glades County is famous for the Annual Chalo Nitka Festival which takes place the first weekend of March. Chalo Nitka, which means "The day of the Big Bass" in the Seminole Indian language, dates back to 1949 when the celebration started over the completion of the paving of Main Street. Festivities include a parade, arts and crafts, carnival rides, and a full blown rodeo; complete with roping, barrel racing and bull riding!

Living in Glades County provides a sense of that cozy home town feel that so many large cities have lost. It's an appreciation of the serenity found in the abundance of nature that surrounds them, that makes Glades County residents stand out! Here, you won't find high crime rate statistics, over-crowded schools or large industries, you will only find people enjoying life, while living in harmony with nature.