Floridiana Magazine

History. Heritage. Home.

Boyett’s Grove and Citrus Attraction

What started as a fruit stand more than 55 years ago, has evolved into a classic Florida roadside attraction that still draws visitors today.  Located on the top of a hill in Brooksville, Boyett’s Grove and Citrus Attraction not only offers delicious citrus fruit, but also a nostalgic look at Florida oddities, along with a walk on the wild side.

From the outside, Boyett’s Citrus Attraction looks like any other old Florida kitschy gift shop.  A tree face welcomes you with a smile and colorful cheesy paintings of animals adorn the exterior walls.  The quirkiness doesn’t end there.  Once you step inside, you are in for a big surprise!  Boyett’s is filled with everything “touristy” you can imagine, from the typical shell gift items to t-shirts and other Florida souvenirs.

The Store

Speaking from experience, it’s difficult to know which way to go once you’re inside the store.  Souvenirs to the left; a tribute to the King of Rock n Roll straight ahead; and a saloon to the right.

Just when you think you are at the end of an exhibit, you round another corner and there is more.  Make sure you take your time through the store, as you are likely to find some old treasures you haven’t seen in a while.  Not to mention an ice cream parlor that offers 24 flavors!

Wildlife Park

A big part of this attraction is the Wildlife Park. To get outside, stop by the register at the back of the store to purchase your tickets and a bag of food for a more interactive experience.  While you are making your way through the park, stop and say hello to Wally, the dromedary camel.  Use the map provided to you or wander on your own.  No matter which way you go, you are sure to see Wally and other animals, like Stripes the Zebra, or any of the other goats, sheep, geese, and monkeys. Concrete pathways wind through another part of the park and take you by deer and pigs and Elvis the alligator.

Other Things to See

The admission to the wildlife tour also includes the aviary and the dinosaur cave.  In the aviary walk through and get closeup views of tropical birds.

The dinosaur cave is sure to please the young dinosaur lovers in your family. Get next to a T-rex.  Look up for the pterodactyls and don’t forget to say hi to Chompers – if you dare get close enough!

For an additional charge, there is also a mini golf course and the DinoMight Gold Mine.

Oranges!

Before Boyett’s became a tourist attraction, it was a citrus stand, where visitors could walk through the orange grove. Even with the zoo and other features, citrus growing and shipping remain the focus of Boyett’s. During citrus season, visitors can watch the operation in motion, from the washing to the packing, all on a machine that was built in the 40s.

History of the “Attraction”

Folks in citrus know the industry peaks at certain times of the year. Because of a few years of freezes and to combat the slow summer months, Boyett’s decided to make additions to the business.  The gift shop was added in 1975 and about 10 years later, they started taking in donated and rescue animals.  Even if you walk through the entire attraction, you will probably miss something here and there.

Location and Hours

Boyett’s is located between Brooksville and I-75 on Spring Lake Highway and is open Monday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is no charge to look around inside the store, but if you want to venture out into the wildlife park, mini golf, dinosaur cave or aviary, you will have to pay.  There are a variety of price packages to choose from.

Just remember, if you plan to take that walk on the wild side, you should plan on two hours or so to get through it all.

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Caladium Festival Lake Placid, Florida

Florida is home to many festivals, ranging from the absurd to the logical.  By definition, festivals celebrate something unique about a community or its culture.  For the central Florida town of Lake Placid, that uniqueness is its designation as “Caladium Capital of the World” and 2018 marked its celebration of the 28th Caladium Festival.

History of the Caladium Festival

The idea for the Caladium Festival came from the Highlands County Tourist Development Commission as a way to promote the industry and, at the same time, create an event to bring visitors into town.  With the help of Carolyn Phypers of Happiness Farms and Dot Bates of Bates Sons and Daughters Caladiums, the first festival was held in 1990 at the warehouse at Happiness Farms.  Small in scale and mostly informational, it involved a steak dinner cooked by the Highlands County Cattlemen and served by the Cattlewomen, industry talk by caladium growers, and bus tours to the fields.

After that first festival, Carolyn, Dot and their families expanded on the event by moving it downtown to Stuart Park and added in arts and crafts, entertainment and food vendors.  From its first year with about 100 visitors, the event has grown to tens of thousands.

The Caladium Festival Today

Happiness Farms and Bates Sons and Daughters both continue to play a major role in the Caladium Festival.  Bates sells potted plants, while Happiness offers up bags or boxes of bulbs.  What once sold out on the second day of the festival is now selling out on day one.  Folks have found out if they come early, they are sure they get their preferred plants. Both growers donate their net proceeds to the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce to continue funding the festival.

Bus Tours of Caladium Fields

To get an up-close view of the caladium fields, bus tours are offered at regular intervals throughout the festival. (We might also add the buses are air-conditioned!)  The tours, led by local growers, offer up a lively discussion of the industry as well as question and answer sessions on a wide range of topics.  Out the bus windows, rows upon rows, acres upon acres, showcase a kaleidoscope of colors.

 

After a drive by the fields, the bus makes a stop in one of Lake Placid’s neighborhoods to see a home landscaped with caladiums.  At one time, entire neighborhoods would get involved with planting caladiums.  They were given the bulbs free of charge if they would plant them in time for the festival. These plants, with their heart-shaped leaves and vibrant colors, are easy to grow and brighten any yard.

 

These bus tours are very popular and certain times often sell out, so visitors are advised to buy tickets in advance of the show to secure a seat.

While the caladiums are the stars of the show, there is so much more to the Caladium Festival.  A walk along Interlake Boulevard or any of the side streets surrounding Stuart Park provides a glimpse at booths featuring arts and crafts, plants, and other specialty items.  In addition, there is also a variety of food vendors and entertainment acts.

Clowns

In a community known for its clown college, it’s also a given that Toby’s Clowns will be on hand to offer up their skills of face painting and balloon artistry, and at the same time, a lot of smiles to kids of all ages.

Car Show

For those who are interested in cars and motorcycles, the Caladium Car and Bike Show is a must see.  Billed as the largest auto show in Lake Placid, De Vane Park turns into an outdoor showroom for new and old cars and bikes.  A walk up and down the rows can reveal some pretty cool cars and a link to the past.

Town of Murals

Caladiums are also the topic of one of the many murals around Lake Placid since they play such an important part of the town’s history.  Nearly 50 murals in all are painted on the sides of buildings around town, each one depicting something different about Lake Placid, its culture or some of its prominent citizens.

(To read more about the murals of Lake Placid, check out our post “Town of Murals: Lake Placid, Florida.”)

Other Places to See

Visitors wanting to get out of the sun have a number of places they can visit, like the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce on Oak Avenue.  The Chamber has a lot of information about Lake Placid, along with the original prints of the murals.  The Lake Placid Mural Society is also housed in the chamber building.  Along Interlake Boulevard, one of the most popular locations is the Caladium Arts and Crafts Cooperative, which features unique items made by local artists and crafters.  Spread out over 10,000 square feet, everything from original paintings to quilts to year-round Christmas collectibles can be found here.  Yes, there are caladium themed items as well.  Main Street also has a lot of interesting shops and restaurants as well.

29th Annual Caladium Festival

If you missed this year’s festival, make sure to mark your calendars for the 2019 festival on July 26, 27, and 28, but don’t wait until then to visit this gem of a town.  Take a day, spend time taking in the murals, then head over to Henscratch Farms and Sugar Sand Distillery.  It’s a Florida trip definitely worth taking.

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Things to See and Do in Apalachicola

There are some places you can visit over and over again and not see everything there is to see or do everything there is to do.  Those same places change over time and, from one visit to the next, may not offer the same “landmarks” you made it a point to see.  One such town is Apalachicola, on Florida’s Forgotten Coast.  As its name translates, it is the “land of the friendly people.”

Brief History of Apalachicola

Even though Apalachicola wasn’t settled until the 1820s, its history goes back much further – Native Americans thousands of years ago, along with European influence by the Spanish and English.  Florida was ceded to United States in 1821.  Originally named Cottonton, then incorporated as West Point, it was renamed Apalachicola in 1831.

As you drive over the bridge on US 98 heading west, the history of Apalachicola is easy to understand.  Its location along the Apalachicola River where it meets Apalachicola Bay, set this town up as a port for shipping – making it at one time the third largest cotton shipping port on the Gulf of Mexico.  Besides cotton, Apalachicola also thrived in the sponge and timber industries.  The sponge trade, beginning in the 1870s, became the third largest in the state.  One of the original sponge warehouses, The Sponge Exchange, remains in downtown Apalachicola.

Another major industry in Apalachicola, and one that remains today, is the seafood industry. Apalachicola is known throughout the United States for its oysters.

Historic Homes in Apalachicola

A drive through the historic district of Apalachicola is like a drive back in time. There are more than 900 historic homes, buildings and other sites within the district to see, ten of them designated as Florida Heritage Landmarks. A couple you don’t want to miss include the Dr. Alvan W. Chapman House, the Hanserd-Fry House, and perhaps the most famous in Apalachicola, the Orman House.

Dr. Alvan W. Chapman House – This house was built in 1847 for Dr. Chapman who, besides being a physician, was also a botanist.  He is known for his research and writings on the flora of the South.  Chapman was very active in Apalachicola, having served as county judge, mayor and collector of customs.

Hanserd-Fry House –  Located on 5th Street, the Hanserd-Fry House was built around 1845 and served as the residence of several individuals.  The first-known owner was Joseph Hanserd who lived there as early as 1866, followed by Kate Ayers in 1872, with Captain Weber Fry buying it in 1880.  Fry was a riverboat captain on the Apalachicola River. The house served as the Apalachicola Museum of Art from 2006 – 2016 and now is the office and visitor center for the St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge.

The Orman House – The Orman House is a Florida State Park and sits on a bluff overlooking the Apalachicola River. It is a must see on a visit to Apalachicola.  The house was built in 1838 by Thomas Orman, a cotton merchant and businessman credited with being a key to the success of the town.

Touring this stately home takes you back to the 1800s.  As you walk through the house, you get a glimpse of the Orman family lifestyle.  The house is filled with old family photographs, period fashion, ornate fixtures, a formal dining room, a child’s room and so much more.

Outside you can catch a glimpse of an old barn, one of the original servants’ houses, and take a tour of the gardens.

Guided tours are available Thursday through Monday for a $2.00 charge.  It is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Other Things to See and Do in Apalachicola

Three Soldiers Detail Statue

In front of the Gorman House sits Veterans Memorial Park, with the Three Soldiers Detail Statue as its centerpiece.  The statue was dedicated in 2008 as a tribute to Vietnam Veterans from the south. Cast from the original molds of the statue located at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., this statue is lifelike and humbling.

John Gorrie Museum State Park

Also known as the Ice Box Museum, this museum pays tribute to John Gorrie, a physician who moved to Apalachicola in the early 1830s. Gorrie was concerned for his yellow fever patients and wanted to find a way to cool their rooms.  As a result, he invented a mechanical device that produced ice, and received the first U.S. Patent for mechanical refrigeration in 1851.

Apalachicola Riverfront Park  

Riverfront Park overlooks the Apalachicola River and offers up a little more of the town’s history.  Read up on the sponge industry, watch the fishing boats go by or just enjoy sitting by the fountain.  The park also serves as the backdrop for many of the local events.

Fun Shops

There are always those stores in town you don’t want to miss.  In Apalachicola, it is The Tin Shed.  If you’re looking for something nautical, this is the place.  Don’t forget to stop by the buoy wall – it’s a popular place for photos.  (Note: Since this post was written originally, The Tin Shed has moved locations and the buoy wall is no longer there.)

Food and Drinks

With seafood as its main industry, Apalachicola serves up some great food in its many restaurants. One of our favorites is the Up the Creek Raw Bar.  Whether you sit inside or choose one of the tables outside, the food and the views are good.

While you’re in Apalachicola, don’t forget to stop by the Olde Time Soda Fountain.  It’s been dishing up these delicious treats since 1905.  Take your seat at the counter and order from a variety of flavors or shakes.  A great place to take the kids, but a word of warning, there are a lot of fun items in the gift shop that they’ll want to take home!

For the adults, make a stop by Oyster City Brewing Company on Avenue D.  If you’re looking for a cold beer brewed right here in Apalachicola, make plans to stop by.

Gone but Not Forgotten – The Venezellos

The few times I have visited Apalachicola always involved a stop in front of the Venezellos at the corner of Avenue E and Water Street.  The boat was built in 1915 in Apalachicola by Demo George (Demosthenes George Margomenos).  It always provided a great subject for photographs, even in its weathered state.  With each visit, the boat showed a little more wear.  A few more boards were rotten, the weeds grew taller.  Then, in October 2017, the boat was taken apart and removed.  A Facebook page has been set up by Demo George’s family to remember the boat through photos.

Fun Fact

Bing Crosby recorded the song “Apalachicola, F-L-A” in 1947 with the Andrews Sisters after meeting professional baseball player and Apalachicola native Jimmy Bloodworth.  Crosby was partial owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates and met Bloodworth in 1946, when he played for the Pirates.  When asked where he was from, Bloodworth said, “Apalachicola, F-L-A!”  The song was used in the move “The Road to Rio” starring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.

For your listening enjoyment, Bing Crosby singing Apalachicola, F-L-A.

There are so many things to see and do in Apalachicola, one trip isn’t enough.  Two trips probably aren’t enough either.  History, food, shopping and so much more await the Florida explorer in all of us.

Photo Gallery from Apalachicola

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The Orange Shop, Citra

Tucked away in North Central Florida, between Ocala and Hawthorne, is the small town of Citra.  It’s not a place with its own exit off Interstate 75.  In fact, unless you drive along Highway 301 or live in the area, you probably do not even know it exists.

Citra, known as the home of the pineapple orange, was founded in 1881 in an area where citrus was prominent.  While that is part of the town’s history, it isn’t the only unique feature about Citra. It is also the home of The Orange Shop, one of the last true roadside citrus stands in Florida.

Billboards and signs along 301 direct you to the shop, which sits at the intersection with Northeast 185 Street.  A grove, packing house and store all occupy the same piece of land. While some of the fruit for The Orange Shop is grown on-site, some is also brought in from the Indian River area.

The Orange Shop has been in business since 1936.  The owners are third-generation growers who continue to harvest fruit from groves that have been producing since the Civil War.  Bright orange columns welcome you onto the front porch, a part of the building with its own story.  When automobiles became the mode of transportation in the 1930s, fruit was sold from the front porch of the house to motorists who stopped by.  That porch has been kept intact since the beginning and still serves as the entry way, flanked with bags of fresh oranges that seem to say “Welcome to Florida.”

The store is exactly what you’d expect.  If it isn’t citrus-related, it is Florida-related.  Along the wall just inside the door, guests can choose from a plethora of items bearing The Orange Shop name and logo.

In another part of the store, additional items offer up Florida flavor, from an assortment of chutney and conserves to orange blossom honey.  If you’re looking to ship some Florida sunshine to out of state friends or family, sample gift boxes are displayed to provide examples of what’s available.

For visitors wanting to pick up some good reads, a book shelf spotlights numerous books about Florida or written by Floridians. Florida literature buffs will recognize one of the authors, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, who lived less than ten miles away along Orange Lake.  Rawlings books Cross Creek, The Yearling and a cookbook are a few of the books for sale.  Other cookbooks, children’s books and books about Florida ghosts fill out the shelves.

The Orange Shop also offers up a true taste of Florida.  Make sure to try out an orange or grapefruit wedge or a sample of liquid sunshine – all available to purchase onsite. Friendly staff are on hand to help out with any of your needs.

The Orange Shop is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Due to the seasonal nature of citrus, the shop is open from October 15 to June 1, so if you want to stop by, plan your trip accordingly.

Sugar Sand Distillery, Inc., Lake Placid, Florida

When you think of Florida, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?  Maybe it’s the sunshine, or the beautiful beaches, or maybe even the theme parks, but have you thought about the wineries, or craft breweries, or even craft distilleries?  All three are gaining in popularity and popping up across the state.

One of the newest distilleries in the state is Sugar Sand Distillery in Lake Placid.  Billed as Florida’s only estate grown sugar cane distillery, it opened its doors for tours and tastings on April 7th with big plans for its future.

A portable sign on Henscratch Road is out when Sugar Sand is open and directs you down a dirt driveway to the distillery.  Don Davies and Jessica Giffin own Sugar Sand and have spent the last year preparing for this day – from planning and planting to mashing and bottling.

Distillery Tastings

On opening day, the tasting room is buzzing with activity.  Guests gather at the bar, listening to the descriptions of each of the drinks they are about to taste.  Samples of rum, vodka, whiskey, and moonshine are poured into small plastic cups, and if you like what you’ve tasted, full-size bottles are available to purchase.

The Tour

If you’ve ever wondered how alcohol is distilled, the Sugar Sand tour will answer your questions.  Starting with the machinery, Don describes each step in the process, but is quick to point out the art is in making the mashes and not the machines.

A short walk away from the still is the sugar cane field. What sets this distillery apart from others is the sugar cane is grown on-site. Unlike larger sugar cane growers who plant the cane 60 inches from center to allow room for the harvesting machinery, Sugar Sand has planted their cane 30 inches from center since it will be harvested by hand.  This difference along provides a higher yield of cane on the property.  Don estimates that if all the rows were laid out end to end, there would be 15 miles of sugar cane.

The current sugar cane crop was planted in January and will not be ready until November 2018.  Until then, the distillery relies on buying from cane growers south of Lake Okeechobee to supply what is needed to run the still.

Future Plans

Currently, Sugar Sand is open Thursday and Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The owners envision Sugar Sand as an all-day destination with live bands, food trucks, and seasonal events, along with the tastings and the tours.

If you’re looking for a day trip, put Sugar Sand Distillery on your list of places to go.  It may be off the beaten path, but it’s worth the stop.

Other places of interest nearby:

Henscratch Winery

Lake Placid Murals

Richloam General Store

Sometimes you are lucky to stumble upon a Florida gem simply by venturing away from the highways and taking the backroads.  But other times, it takes a small nugget of knowledge to direct you to a slice of Florida history you otherwise would not have seen.

Such is the case with the Richloam General Store, tucked away in the Withlacoochee State Forest in Hernando County. I heard about this little treasure through a friend on social media who said it was a place I needed to visit.

Where is the Richloam General Store?

The store sits south of State Road 50 on Richloam Clay Sink Road, about three miles east of U.S. 301. A small sign on this narrow winding road indicates you are approaching the Historic Richloam General Store.

Who would have known that a short distance from a main east-west highway through Florida sits a store that pays homage to the community’s past?  The front of the store is quaint and inviting.  Rocking chairs on the porch seem to beckon you to sit a while, listen to the sounds of the forest, and enjoy life the way it used to be.

It sounds a little cliché but stepping inside is like taking a step back in time.  From the moment you walk through the screen doors, you feel as though you are being transported back to the 1920s and 30s.

“Welcome to Richloam General Store.  Is this your first time here?”

Daisy Brinson, mother of property owner Eric Burkes, stands behind the original cash register and greets each customer as though they are family.  She is quick to offer up a brief history of the store – and more if you ask questions.  Daisy is proud of this little store and its history, not only to Richloam but also to her family.

Daisy Brinson

Richloam General Store’s History

The store was built in 1920 by Sid Brinson to serve as the general store and post office for the Richloam community.  A train depot, ice house, barn, and turpentine still also sat on the property.  In January 1928, the original store burned to the ground, amid speculation the fire was intentionally set to cover up a robbery, which would have been a federal crime because the store housed the post office.

In about a month’s time, the store was rebuilt – this time out of metal – and remained open until 1936.

After serving as a family residence until the mid-1950s, the store sat vacant for nearly 20 years, until John Brinson (Daisy’s husband) purchased the property from his uncle Sid’s estate in 1973.

Daisy reminisces about life on the property, recounting how her sons were raised here.  One of her fondest memories, she admits, is of the boys using the vacant store as their clubhouse.

Open for Business

Fast forward to 2016 when Daisy and John’s son Eric decides to renovate the store, using as much of the original building material as possible.  It is returned it to the way it was more than 80 years ago and reopened as a general store.

The original post office boxes sit just inside the door.  A hand painted sign hangs from the ceiling and copies of “Wanted” posters are taped to the exterior.  The letter slot is just below the postmaster’s window.

Sid Brinson’s name can be seen on some of the original sheets of metal used to rebuild the store in the late 20s. Each pallet that arrived had his name stamped on the top sheets of the bundle.

Other evidence of the original character of the building and the property can be seen elsewhere within the store.  Bricks from the old turpentine still now serve as the fireplace.

And Daisy is happy to point out the 1918 Singer Treadle Sewing Machine she still uses to make aprons, sock monkeys and Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls.

Of course, you can’t visit a general store without looking at the many items on the shelves themselves. The Richloam General Store stays true to the time period and offers goods you would have seen in the 20s and 30s, items you won’t necessarily see in today’s grocery stores.

Jams and jellies, sauces, local honey, salt-cured meat, and jars of candy all offer up a taste of life in simpler times.

Richloam General Store, the oldest historical building still standing in the Richloam area, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.  The folks who stop by are the locals, hunters during hunting season, and the curious.  Fundraising efforts are now underway to restore or rebuild the other buildings on the property to provide more opportunities for visitors to learn about early life in the Richloam community.

Florida’s backroads don’t get any better than this.

 

Note: The Richloam General Store is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards

For years I would pass by Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards driving along Highway 27 or the Florida Turnpike. I’d look at that building up on the hill and think about the acres and acres of orange groves that once filled the landscape. But several years of hard freezes took their toll on the citrus industry and paved the way for a new venture: vineyards and wine.

History of Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards

Lakeridge opened its doors in Clermont in February 1989, along the hills of what is known as the Lake Wales Ridge – a ridge of sand running about 150 miles north and south through the center of the state. In the early 90s another company-owned vineyard (Lafayette Vineyards in Tallahassee) merged with Lakeridge in Clermont, quickly increased its production, and became Florida’s largest winery.

A walk around the grounds turns up some remarkable sights: lush green grapevines bearing the fruits of labor, rolling hills that make you think you are not in Florida, and if you’re lucky, a closeup view of sandhill cranes.

The winery sits on a 127-acre estate, of which about 75 acres are planted with several varieties of Muscadine grapes used in both their red and white wines.  Believe it or not, the grapes grown at Lakeridge are not enough to provide all they need.  To make up for it, they contract out to some local growers who also specialize in the same grapes.

In all, Lakeridge produces about 100,000 cases of wine a year, which if you’re good at math, adds up to more than one million bottles!

Tours and Tasting

So, how do the grapes get from the vines to the bottles?  That’s a question that’s answered on the complimentary tours offered seven days a week.  Those tours and the wine tasting afterward are probably the biggest draws to Lakeridge.

The tour begins upstairs in a small theatre where you watch a short video about wine making in Florida, the history of the winery and the family that started it all, the Cox family. Afterwards, a tour guide leads you along a catwalk overlooking the production area, where you see where the wine is made, bottled, and packaged.

A stop out on the balcony provides a breathtaking view of the vineyard.

What’s the purpose of seeing how the wine is made without actually getting to taste it?  A large u-shaped tasting counter downstairs is lined with empty wine glasses and taste testing sheets to record your thoughts about the wines you sample.  Instruction is given about how to hold the glass properly and how to swirl the wine around. Then, one by one, you are led through a tasting extravaganza of seven different wines.

In all, the tour and tasting take about 50 minutes to complete.  Once you’re done, you get a chance to walk through the gift shop, peruse the wine accessories and gourmet foods, and purchase the wines you just tasted.

Festivals and Events at Lakeridge

Besides the tours, festivals and events fill the winery’s calendar.  Music series, a holiday open house, benefit concerts and harvest festivals offer plenty of entertainment opportunities. One of the biggest events is the Annual Harvest Grape Stomp in August which offers up some good old fashioned grape stomping competition.

The large outdoor space and stage provide the perfect backdrop for the events. It’s estimated that more than 160,000 people visit Lakeridge Winery every year.

Additional Information

Besides Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards in Clermont, the Cox family owns another winery in St. Augustine. San Sebastian opened in 1996 and is now the second largest winery in Florida.

Lakeridge is just north of Clermont on U.S. 27 and is open seven days a week.  Hours on Monday through Saturday are 10am to 5pm and on Sunday from 11am to 5pm.

Lukas Nursery and Butterfly Encounter: It’s More than Just a Nursery

Who would think a plant nursery would be included on a list of places to go in Florida? Besides having everything you need for your garden, Lukas Nursery offers an hour or so of good old family fun, plus there is a century of history behind it. Not to mention, it is considered one of the top 25 largest attractions in Central Florida.

Butterfly Encounter

Sometimes you just happen across one of those unexpected finds; you go someplace for one reason, and find something completely surprising.  The Butterfly Encounter is one of those places.  Although our first visit was about four years ago, there’s nothing like experiencing it through the eyes of a child.  From the walk up the pathway to the encounter itself, it is just plain cool.

Just inside the gift shop, you receive a laminated card with photo identifiers of all the butterflies (and birds) you may see, along with a quick tutorial on why you cannot touch any of these winged wonders outside the refueling station. (More on that later.)

The Butterfly Encounter delivers on the experience.  The screened-in, garden-like setting provides butterflies ample space to flit among the plants, getting their fill of the nectar while offering photo opportunities to even the youngest of photographers.

A new experience awaits you around every turn of the meandering pathway, including the “Caterpillar Flight School.” Perhaps the most fun, for kids and adults alike, is the Butterfly Refueling Station – a place where a dab of sugar water on your fingertips makes you the source of their food.  Don’t be surprised if they land elsewhere – to the delight of some, uncertainty to others.

When we asked my granddaughter Story her favorite part of the encounter, she said, “Seeing all the butterflies. And when it landed on my dress!”

No matter where you look, whether it’s in the trees or along the path, you’re sure to see more than just butterflies. This 4,000 square foot conservatory also serves as home to a covey of button quail and a number of brightly colored finches.

On the way out, don’t forget to take a good look around the gift shop.  If you need a unique present, you’re sure to find something for just about anyone on your list.

The Butterfly Encounter is open year-round, but the best time to see the butterflies is April through September.  The hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but the last admission into the encounter is at 3:30.  There is a $6.00 charge for anyone over the age of three.

Lukas Nursery

The fun doesn’t end with the Butterfly Encounter.  The nursery itself offers a relaxing walk among thousands of varieties of plants, from the ordinary to the exotic.

If you’re in the market for some unique garden art, then Lukas is the right place!  Not to mention, the statues provide even more entertainment for your kids or grandkids.

Noah loves all of the statues!

Lukas Nursery and Butterfly Encounter is a fourth-generation agricultural business and has grown from 50 one-gallon cans of woody ornamental plants to about 25 acres of plants, a garden shop and the butterfly encounter.

History of the Lukas Family

The nursery has been serving Central Florida for more than 100 years.  Paul and Mary Lukas, both Czechoslovakian immigrants, along with six other families, moved from Ohio to Florida in 1911. They settled in an area in what is now Seminole County and, in keeping with their European roots, named it Slavia.  Signs of the original settlement can still be seen – on road signs or an abandoned building just down the street from the nursery.

The family began farming in 1912 and has remained in the same location for its 100 + years. Over the years, improvements have been made, services added and the business expanded.  The one constant, however, has been the family.  (You can read more about the family and the business on the nursery’s website.)

Lukas Nursery sits on Slavia Road between Highway 417 and West State Road 426 near Oviedo.  Whether you are looking for a place to buy plants for your house or a place to spend an hour or so with your kids or grandkids, Lukas is the place.

The Sponge Docks at Tarpon Springs

What I have found in my quest to “celebrate all things Florida” is it is sometimes impossible to see all there is to see or do all there is to do in a one-day excursion.  If you have ever been to Tarpon Springs, you know what I mean.  We made it to the docks, but not to the historic downtown area.  Even at the docks we didn’t have time to get the full experience.

Brief History of Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs is known as the “Sponge Capital of the World.”  Sponge boats line the docks, their sponges visible to the visitors who walk up and down the waterfront.

Boats line the docks in Tarpon Springs | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Sponges

Sponges are available for purchase

The history of the sponge industry goes back to the late 1800s, with two men receiving credit for the industry in Tarpon Springs: John Cheyney and John Cocoris.  Cheyney began sponging with a technique known as hooking and launched his first boat around 1890.  Cocoris, a Greek hired by Cheyney, was brought in to streamline sponging and introduced the technique of diving in 1905.

Acknowledgement of their contributions to the industry can be found in several places around town.

During the 1920s, sponge diving became the largest industry in Florida, with Tarpon Springs the major hub of the activity.

Sponging has fallen to tourism, but is still profitable and helps support the economy either directly or indirectly through the number of tourists it draws to the area.

Greek Influence in Tarpon Springs

Greek sponge divers were some of the first to descend on Tarpon Springs.  Everywhere you look, whether it’s the buildings or the restaurants, that influence can be seen throughout the city.  Tarpon Springs has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the United States.  Old buildings bear the name of early divers and residents, while Greek food offers a taste of Greece – from traditional fare to flavorful pastries.

John M. Gonatos, a sponge diver, also owned a curio shop

Delicious Greek pastries

Shops and Restaurants in Tarpon Springs

As a popular tourist spot, shops and restaurants line the streets down by the docks.  The typical souvenirs fill the shelves or in bins outside shop doors, enticing visitors to walk inside.

Street view along the  Tarpon Springs docks

Florida souvenirs

A marketplace-type area is “home” to many stores and serves as anchor to The Sponge Exchange.  The market boasts an open-air feel, although most of the stores are housed inside adjoining buildings.  Street musicians “serenade” shoppers, adding to the festive atmosphere.  And there are plenty of opportunities for photos!

One of the shopping areas

Picture time!

Another photo opportunity also serves as a history lesson. The brightly painted Aegean Isles reveals its initial use as a sponge boat that then as a Navy air-sea rescue boat during World War II.  Once the war was over, it returned to its original purpose for sponging until it was decommissioned in 1982.

History on display

Other Things to Do in Tarpon Springs

There is something for just about everyone in Tarpon Springs. For people of all ages, dolphin cruises offer a seafaring adventure or a sponge diving trip where you hear about the history and witness a sponge harvesting demonstration.

Another fun spot for the kids is the Tarpon Springs Aquarium.  It features shark and ray shows, an eel encounter, a gator feeding show and a snake demo.

Hidden Beaches

A visit to Tarpon Springs should also include two hidden gems.  Not too far from the docks are two beautiful locations to enjoy the Florida sun – beaches that don’t usually show up on the list of the best. The first is Sunset Beach, at the end of Gulf Drive.  The city park offers a great place to swim, picnic and view a breathtaking sunset.  There is also a playground for kids and a boat ramp for those wanting to take to the water for boating or fishing.

Sunset Beach

The other location is Fred Howard Park, a 155-acre Pinellas County Park.  The park includes pavilions, playgrounds, and nature trails and protects many Florida habitats like sea grass beds and mangrove estuaries.  It is also home to some endangered species such as eagles and gopher tortoises.

Fred Howard Park

One of the biggest surprises of the park, if you’ve never been there before, is the mile-long causeway to the Gulf of Mexico.  Along the causeway, sunbathers sit in the Gulf waters or enjoy water-sports.

The Causeway leading to the beach

Water bikes provide hours of fun

At the end, white sandy beaches and a spectacular view of the Gulf of Mexico await you.  Imagine sitting here and watching a golden sun sink into the water.

The beach at Fred Howard Park: a hidden gem

Tarpon Springs is one of those places that everyone should visit at least once.  Plan on getting there early and staying all day to get the full experience. Or, if you can, plan on a weekend trip.  That way you’re sure to get in all there is to offer – or at least most of it.

Traveling the Back Roads of North Central Florida

Growing up in a small Florida town, going from Point A to Point B always required traveling back roads.  I don’t think I ever really appreciated those drives until I moved to the city and had to drive on interstates or four-lane roads, all the while navigating through traffic.  Now, I look for those back roads.  I look for the small towns and the old buildings.  I look for those “unique” features that define the communities.  I look for Old Florida.

Lloyd, Florida

Lloyd is one of those places I probably would not have known about had it not been for this adventure to “celebrate all things Florida.”  Named after Walter Lloyd, a blacksmith from New York, it is located about a mile south of Interstate 10 at Exit 217 near Tallahassee.  It is also the birthplace of Mary Edwards Bryan (1846-1913), a writer of more than 20 novels, including Manch (1880) and Wild Work (1881).

The history of this little town can be tied to the railroad industry, which lasted until the 1930s.  As home to the oldest brick railroad station in Florida, Lloyd is a place for Florida history buffs to visit.  The Lloyd Railroad Depot was built in 1858 and is also one of only three surviving railroad depots from the Civil War in Florida.  (The other two are in Tallahassee and Gainesville.)  The depot once served as a hub for transportation and trade and was used by Confederate soldiers for military purposes during the war.

You can only imagine this little depot in its heyday and the stories that unfolded on the station’s platform.

The old brick building has stood up against the measure of time and is now used as the town’s post office.  You can find it at the intersection of Highways 59 and 158.

McAlpin, Florida

After leaving Lloyd, we continued our back roads journey, weaving our way around to U.S. Highway 129, stopping just south of Live Oak in the unincorporated town of McAlpin.

McAlpin, settled in 1882, was named for Daniel M. McAlpin, who had been the owner of the Bulletin (forerunner to the Suwannee Democrat), station master at the railroad, tax assessor, and representative to the Florida legislature (1875).

I must admit, though, what caught my eye the numerous times driving through McAlpin, was the old Speed gas station sign. Weathered and faded, it stands next to an old abandoned store, reminiscent of a part of “old Florida” where family-owned stores and filling stations were part of the booming landscape of the time.

A great place to read up on the history of McAlpin is the group’s Facebook page, McAlpin Florida History.

O’Brien, Florida

About seven miles south of McAlpin on 129 is the small town of O’Brien.  Established in 1880 as Obrine, its name changed to Obrine Station and finally O’Brien.  Upon driving into town, one of the first things to see is a brightly colored rooster perched atop the O’Brien Feed Depot and Hardware Store.

The charm and history don’t stop there.  Just a street to the west of 129 off County Road 349 is a row of old storefronts, one of which is still in use, the Village Emporium.  The shop wasn’t open when we passed through, but it’s definitely on the list of places to revisit as it is said to have its own history. Several other vacant buildings line the small dirt road.

Just past the row of old stores sits another old gem, an old wooden structure with boarded up windows and a tree that has become a part of the structure itself.

Back across 129 going west on CR 349, is another of those back roads you must take the time to enjoy.  It’s a curvy little road that holds a pleasant surprise – if you look for it.  Not easily visible from the road, back among the pine trees, is an old wood-frame house.  Its windows seem to be peering out from between the rows of trees as if they are eyes looking out from the past trying to get a glimpse into the future.

There are plenty of other small towns in North Central Florida to explore, each with their own unique features.  Although each one has its own history to tell, sometimes it’s the little oddities or the hidden treasures among the trees that make it unique.  Dare to venture off the well-traveled highways onto the county roads that lead you straight into Florida history at its finest.

FM Notes:  Here are a few other old towns you might want to read about:

DeLand

Monticello

Lake Placid

Micanopy

Wood and Swink General Store in Evinston

McIntosh