Tag Archives: mcbobleonard

September in Florida Still Means Big Events

Labor Day may mean the end of summer in Florida, but it doesn’t mean Florida towns will wait for the snowbirds and big cash tourists to return in winter.  September is a good time in Florida.  With school back everywhere, … Continue reading

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Seven Women Who Changed Florida History

One hundred years ago Florida was the only state in the South with less than one million residents, but things would soon change in every aspect of society in Florida.  Many people played major roles in Florida history – here … Continue reading

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New Hotel Boom Hits South Florida

Florida has 370,000 hotel rooms in 16,374 hotels.  It is the only state that is covered by three AAA travel guides. Despite these statistics the Great Recession slowed down new hotel construction particularly outside South Florida.  Today huge hotel projects … Continue reading

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The Story of Florida Starts With Two Myths

The first thing any Florida school child learns about their home state is probably:  While searching for the Fountain of Youth, Ponce de Leon discovered Florida. That’s not just a myth.  It is a Double Myth!  Here is the real … Continue reading

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Pass-a-Grille: The Original Tampa Bay Beach Town

PASS-A-GRILLE BEACH, the Southernmost of Pinellas County’s barrier beaches, was the first beach community on the Gulf of Mexico to develop as a weekend residential spot for successful Tampa and St. Petersburg residents. Originally, home to fishermen, homesteaders, and lumber men like Zephaniah Phillips, the island … Continue reading

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Florida’s Pirate Legacy: Myth or Reality?

Being next to the Great Spanish Gold Fleet routes and the tropical waters of the Caribbean, Floridians love their stories of pirates and buried treasure as much as any region of the United States.  No less than 17 cities celebrate … Continue reading

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Floridians Love Their Shell Game

When people visit Florida, they expect to find good seafood and they are usually not disappointed.  We Floridians love our grouper sandwiches and have competitions to locate the best sandwich in our area. But Floridians really have a thing about … Continue reading

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Things No One Told You About Florida

In the forty years I have taught college students about Florida, there are some facts and information that always surprise the students.   Here are some things that most Floridians are ignorant of or have a false impression. Florida Was Once … Continue reading

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Florida’s Military Museums Honor Our Veterans and More

There are 1.5 million Floridians who served in the United States Armed Forces so it is not surprised that there are dozens of memorial gardens and local museums to honor the military past and present.  My father met my mother … Continue reading

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Florida’s Best State Parks With Great Beaches

Florida has miles and miles of great beaches, but more and more of them are lined with condos and multi-storied hotels.  If you want a Florida beach with a wonderful all-natural view, you might consider a Florida State Park. For … Continue reading

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