Category Archives: florida history

sports: I Remember Ron Fraser As My First Interview

Posted on January 21, 2013 by floridatraveler

The recent death of college baseball coach and legend Ron Fraser reminded me he was my first interview as the sports editor at U. of Miami. Baseball was not a BIG sport at the U, but Fraser said that would … Continue reading →

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sport: Bouldering In Florida Is “Blowing Rocks”

Posted on January 15, 2013 by floridatraveler

Some rockclimbing Arizona friends asked me – can you go bouldering in Florida, the flattest state? The answer is YES – in a somewhat odd way. While most Florida climbers work out at gyms or even try some canal walls, … Continue reading →

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civil war: Battle of Brooksville

Posted on January 13, 2013 by floridatraveler

On January 18, 19, and 20, the 22th annual BROOKSVILLE RAID takes place 10 miles west of town at the Sand Hill Boy Scout Camp on Hwy 50. The battle represents a time in July of 1864 when Federal forces … Continue reading →

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Temple Terrace Has National Register Golf Course

Posted on January 9, 2013 by floridatraveler

The Temple Terrace (FL) Golf Course, designed by Tom Benelow in 1922, was added to the National Register of Historic Places, the first Florida golf site on the Register. Temple Terrace was one of America’s first golf communities. Although the … Continue reading →

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HAPPY 500th TO FLORIDA (B. 1513)

Posted on January 7, 2013 by floridatraveler

This year this blog will feature Ponce de Leon: The Man and the Myth; events of 150th anniversary of Civil War in Florida; My Favorite Hotels, Restaurants, Parks, Historic Sites, and More. Also, special Walt Disney World insider information and … Continue reading →

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wdw: Be Our Guest Restaurant – Magic Kingdom

Posted on December 24, 2012 by floridatraveler

The three room Be Our Guest Beauty and the Beast restaurant gets mixed reviews from us. It is a huge place where at lunch you get sandwiches and salads “with a French flair.” At night it is a traditional sitdown … Continue reading →

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St. Leo Abbey: Florida’s Shroud of Turin

Posted on December 18, 2012 by floridatraveler

The 1931 Benedictine Abbey next to the campus of St Leo College in Pasco County contains the 23,500 pound Tennessee marble crucifix modeled by sculptor Frank Aretz after the Shroud of Turin.

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Christmas In Florida: We Do Have Ernest

Posted on December 18, 2012 by floridatraveler

Florida is an unlikely spot for a Christmas movie, but the late Jim Varney of Orlando decided to film his third Ernest film in Orlando film and people might recognize Church Street and downtown and even parts of the old … Continue reading →

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events Florida Civil War Enactments Dec 2012

Posted on November 13, 2012 by floridatraveler

Here are some of the best events for December 2012: DEC 1-2 – “Union Holiday Encampment” at Fort Clinch. Union forces held this Amelia Island fort for most of war. Contact Fort Clinch Styate Park 904-277-7274. DEC 7, 8, 9 … Continue reading →

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Civil War: Fort Barrancas

Posted on October 30, 2012 by floridatraveler

Civil War buffs in Florida know the first shots of the Civil War took place around midnight on January 8, 1861, at Fort Barrancas, a fort adjacent to the port of Pensacola. With just 46 soldiers, fort commander Lt. Adam … Continue reading →

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