Category Archives: florida history

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WILL RISE AGAIN!

Posted on October 4, 2022 by floridatraveler

The devastation of coastal Southwest Florida has a very personal effect on me. Although I now live in Tampa, when I graduated from high school in Massachusetts, my family moved to Charlotte County. My father was an editor of newspapers … Continue reading →

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12+ MOVIES THAT BEST SHOWED FLORIDA LIFE

Posted on May 31, 2022 by floridatraveler

Florida’s scenery and climate have long been associated as a location for making movies, but many of the films never reflected something positive or negative about Florida culture and life in the Sunshine State.  Despite a lack of state funding, … Continue reading →

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Florida Based Books For Both Sunshine State Newbies and Old Crackers

Posted on October 29, 2021 by floridatraveler

Newcomers are pouring into Florida.  In my neighborhood in South Tampa, houses are being torn down and huge “McMansions” are going up. I am often asked by new neighbors about my favorite restaurants and stores, but recently I was asked … Continue reading →

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PONCE DE LEON DID NOT DISCOVER FLORIDA: THE MAN AND THE MYTHS

Posted on September 9, 2021 by floridatraveler

One of the first things people learn about Florida is that it was discover in 1513 by Ponce de Leon in his search for the Fountain of Youth.  As a historian, I can tell you these are both myths. Ponce … Continue reading →

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FLORIDA’S FABULOUS VICTORIAN HOTELS: OPEN OR NOT

Posted on September 4, 2021 by floridatraveler

The history of Florida Is much longer than its attraction as a major winter destination. Prior to the post-Civil War Era, visitors had to enter Florida by coastal steamboat and outside of some mid-size hotels in Saint Augustine, there were … Continue reading →

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FLORIDA: A STATE WITH A LOT OF NAMES

Posted on August 9, 2021 by floridatraveler

Nothing tells you more about the history and the people of a state than its names, but Florida, the third most populated American state is a mystery to so many of its residents.  Half of our population came from elsewhere, … Continue reading →

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DOWNTOWN MIAMI IS BECOMING CRAZY COOL

Posted on July 11, 2021 by floridatraveler

When I was a student decades ago at the University of Miami (the U), I rarely went into downtown Miami.  There was a neat jazz club on the Miami River by the main bridge, but young people went to Miami … Continue reading →

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The Dumbest Things People Say About Hurricanes

Posted on July 5, 2021 by floridatraveler

While September has been the worst big hurricane season, we can get one here in Florida in early July.

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The Dumbest Things People Say About Hurricanes

Posted on July 5, 2021 by floridatraveler

Well, hurricane season came early this year to Florida.  As I sit in my home office gathering information to see how close Elsa comes to Tampa Bay, I have a lot of images of past storms flash into my mind. … Continue reading →

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Florida’s Best Beach Campgrounds and Recreational Stops

Posted on March 6, 2021 by floridatraveler

Florida is warming up with the Spring and late Spring months great times for camping and RVing if you have the equipment, but even if you do not, full facility State Parks have kayaks and canoes, nature trails, and some … Continue reading →

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