Author Archives: floridatraveler

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About floridatraveler

Emeritus Professor of History and travel and textbook writer M. C. Bob Leonard makes the Sunshine State his home base. Besides serving as content editor for several textbook publishers and as a college professor, he moderates the FHIC at www.floridahistory.org

Cruising Florida’s Forgotten Coast Is A Peaceful Excursion

In the summer months the Panhandle beaches from Pensacola to Panama City are crowded with vacationers from Alabama and Georgia.  The highways are sometimes resembles South Florida and the restaurants and hotels are filled. Summer doesn’t seem to offset the … Continue reading

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Walt Disney World Goes On The Offense

Twenty years ago if you remarked that Walt Disney World was losing market share in the Central Florida entertainment sector, people would laugh at you.  Today, Floridians would not flinch over that remark thanks to the booming success of Harry … Continue reading

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Greatest Landmarks of Florida’s Long Hispanic Heritage

The influence of the Hispanic world began in 1565 with the establishment of the oldest continuous European community in the United States – Saint Augustine.  The entire state was under Spanish rule for some 240 years before the final “purchase” … Continue reading

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Punta Gorda: No Longer A Fishing Village at Mouth of Peace River

When my family moved from Massachusetts to Charlotte County in 1961, Punta Gorda was a small fishing port town which was also the county seat. The Vanderbilt property was turning into the giant retirement town of  Port Charlotte.  It was … Continue reading

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Florida’s Military Role Boomed With World War II

In Honor Of America’s Soldiers: Past and Present Prior to the start of World War II, there were just seven military installations in Florida.  The start of World War II changed all of that for Florida’s flat terrain and good … Continue reading

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Two For The Price of One at Walt Disney World

Everyone likes to get any type of good deal they can and that certainly includes a vacation trip to the Walt Disney World area.  If you are vacationing at WDW, you probably realize that the only inexpensive Disney properties – … Continue reading

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Manatee County: The Beaches Between

I used to live in Bradenton and it always bothered me that when I went up North I had to always say “it’s between Sarasota and Saint Petersburg.  I would also be asked in there were any beaches there for … Continue reading

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The Most Dangerous Natural Thing To Fear In Florida

I know people in various parts of this nation who won’t visit Florida because Florida is a dangerous place.  Some of these people just don’t want to leave their home for a week or two.  Others have unrealistic fears like … Continue reading

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Celebrate Summer And Visit Florida’s Old Attractions

It’s coming: summer time in Florida and the temperature is already hot.  The big theme parks are crowded with huge lines awaiting a short flight to Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or a quick train ride from Hogsmeade at Universal … Continue reading

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Florida’s AIA Winning Structures Have Been Incredibly Diverse and Unique

Every year the Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects (1912) celebrates the outstanding contributions in architecture and design in Florida and Puerto Rico.  This year’s convention will be next month in Naples and a panel of non-Florida architects … Continue reading

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