In the early 20th century the township of Kennedy was laid out as an area for settlers to colonize. At a point just north of Brower Station along the National Transcontinental Railway, a colonization road led to the small townsite. By 1916 a few French Canadians had settled in the area bringing the number of farmsteads to five. By 1921 that number rose to 10 farms and over the next decade approximately 10 more were built. In addition to the French Canadians, Russian families also sought out land along this simple colonization road.

For the children, a small school house was constructed as well as a post office which opened in 1927 and was operated by Mrs. Olive Lamothe. The post office went by the name of Florida. Mrs. Lamothe closed the post office in 1931 and it remained closed for another five years until Charles Herbert Cadman reopened it.

As these farming families expanded and more settlers arrived to the area, the population reached 87 people by the year 1931. It would reach 96 people by 1941.

However as with many of the colonization roads across Ontario, the land was rugged and the work was difficult. Residents slowly left for greener farming pastures or for the jobs in Cochrane. The post office closed in 1942 and did not reopen.

By the 1970’s the population was at a steady 70 residents but there was not much to keep the families in the area. By now farming communities were no longer isolated, travel was more efficient and cheaper.

Only a few residents remained by the 1980’s. Today you will find two homes remaining but the farmland is no longer suited to such a purpose. The entire township contains less than 20 residents to this day.

The former townsite of Florida can be found before Cochrane at a point approximately 1.5km past the Highway 652/574 intersections. Turn right at the dirt road and then left until you reach the second intersection.