Floridiana Magazine

History. Heritage. Home.

The Gamble Place

One of the great things about Florida is there is always a new place to explore, one you never knew existed. A recent trip to Port Orange led to the discovery of yet another hidden treasure. Not only does it offer a step back in time, but also a little bit of whimsy and a window into a backwoods retreat.

Egwanulti

Egwanulti is the name given to the Gamble Place by James N. Gamble, the son of the co-founder of the Procter and Gamble Company. Egwanulti is a Native American word meaning “by the water” which is fitting because of its location along Spruce Creek. Gamble bought the land in 1898, but it wasn’t until 1907 that he built the cracker-style house that still stands on the property today. The house features a separate kitchen and dining room, connected by a breezeway or dog-trot, and an open front porch.  The back porch, with its chairs and benches, opens to the back yard with the creek just steps away.  Sitting on the porch, you can just imagine the stories shared by those who once called this place home during the winter months.

Gamble Place

An inviting back porch

Besides the house, Gamble also rebuilt a packing house on the property to process the citrus from his own grove.

Citrus Packing House

The Gamble Place sits on 175 acres and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

Snow White Cottage

“Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho
It’s home from work we go…”

If those song lyrics conjure up a memory, then this Florida stop is a must-see.  Nestled along the banks of Spruce Creek on the eastern portion of the Gamble property, sits a replica of the Snow White Cottage. You know the one she stayed in with the dwarfs?  The cottage started out as plans for a playhouse, but by the time it was finished, it had expanded into a full-size replica and served as a retreat for guests of all ages. Judge Alfred K. Nippert, Gamble’s son-in-law, got the idea for the cottage after the Disney movie’s release in 1937, just three months after the death of his wife.

Snow White Cottage

Along with the cottage, there are two other structures.  The Diamond Mine is built in the same style as the cottage and is two stories.  The ground floor once had a tank used to store water.  On the second floor, a child’s dream – a playhouse.

“The Diamond Mine”

What would the cottage be without the Wicked Witch lurking nearby?  An old hollow cypress tree was moved to the property, placed on a stone foundation and roofed.  If you look closely, you’ll see a familiar face peering out of the window.

Wicked Witch’s Hut

Cracker Creek

Before you can get onto the Gamble property, you have to stop at the Cracker Creek office to pay a minimal admission fee. While you’re there though, ask about canoe and kayak rentals, or the hydro-bike rentals.  For a more leisurely trip down Spruce Creek, they also offer pontoon boat tours Friday through Sunday.

Cracker Creek Office

Rent a canoe or bring your own

Take a leisurely cruise

No matter if you’re at the Gamble Place or walking around the grounds at Cracker Creek, magnificent peacocks can be seen roaming the property.  These close encounters bring to full light the iridescent blues and greens in their feathers.

Beautiful peacocks roam the property

Cracker Creek and the Gamble Place are located in Port Orange off Taylor Road.  You cannot get inside the actual buildings through the self-tour.  The building tour is available for groups of ten or more but reservations must be made in advance.

Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens

Just a short drive off Nova Road (Highway 5A) in Port Orange is another one of those hidden gems in Florida. Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens is a 12-acre mix of gardens and Florida history.  I have to admit, one of the things that drew me here in the first place, was the knowledge an old Florida tourist attraction used to be on this site.  More on that later, but first a little about the sugar mill.

Entrance to Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens. Don’t forget to drop a donation in the box just inside.

Dunlawton Sugar Mill Plantation

The history of the plantation goes back to before Florida even became a state when it was part of a 995 acre land grant in 1804.  After passing through several hands, it was eventually purchased by Sarah Petty Anderson (Dunn) in 1832 under the name Dunlawton Plantation – a combination of Anderson’s maiden name and the previous owners of the land, Charles and Joseph Lawton. For three years, sugar and molasses were produced here, until the Second Seminole War.  Like many other mills in Florida, Dunlawton was burned to the ground. With no money to rebuild it, the Anderson family abandoned the property.  The mill changed hands a couple more times until it was burned down again during the Third Seminole War.  During the Civil War, Dunlawton was a camp for the St. John’s Rangers, in the 2nd Florida Cavalry who used the kettles for the “production of salt for food preservation and ammunition.”

Side view of the sugar mill, showing the purgery which contained vats to catch molasses drippings.

Kettle trains in the boiling room

Cane crusher

Visitors can get a good glimpse of what the sugar making process entailed.  Many of the old pieces of machinery are still in place, including a cane crusher, the boilers and kettles.  The brick structures are now protected by a metal roof, although at one time in its history a wooden roof created an “enclosed” sugar factory.

There are plenty of informational placards that provide a better understanding of the history of the mill and the process of sugar making. Make sure you stop and read them all.

One of many informational signs throughout the gardens

Bongoland

Who would have thought the site of protected archaeological ruins would also one day turn into a tourist attraction?  During the 1940s and ‘50s, the property was transformed into Bongoland – an attraction that featured animals, an Indian village, a train to take visitors around the park and a series of dinosaurs created out of chicken wire and concrete. Oh, and Bongo – the baboon that lived on the grounds.  Unfortunately, the whole idea of theme parks hadn’t caught on and Bongoland closed due to a lack of interest.

Bongoland brochure

Five of the original dinosaurs remain on the property and can be viewed during your walk around the park.  Most of them are located near the Children’s Garden and still remain an attraction in their own right. One park goer says she used to climb under and around the dinosaurs, but they have since been cordoned off with fencing.  Still, kids love to stand in front of these prehistoric animals and marvel at their size.  Plus they are perfect for picture taking!

Watch out for the dinosaurs!

Tyrannosaurus Rex – don’t let his “smile” deceive you!

Dimetrodon

Triceratops

Ground Sloth

Kids love the dinosaurs!

After Bongoland closed, the property sat neglected until it was bequeathed to Volusia County in 1963. An organization known as Botanical Gardens of Volusia, Inc. made a deal with the county and began leasing the property in 1985. Their work at the gardens relies 100% on donations and volunteers.

The gardens are filled with water features, flowers and plants.

Vine growing wild

Ginger

Fern

Confederate Oak – according to legend, Confederate soldiers frequently camped under it.

Whether you visit to meander along the many trails and look at the plants and flowers, view the dinosaurs or take a look back into the history of Florida sugar making, this is worth the visit.

Flower Circle

Floridiana Magazine (FM) Notes: The gardens are open every day from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (except for Christmas and New Years).   There is no admission fee, but donations are accepted. Botanical Gardens of Volusia, Inc. is always looking for volunteers to serve on committees or work in the gardens.  Visit their website for more information.

Micanopy: The Town that Time Forgot

A quiet Saturday morning on Cholokka Boulevard in Micanopy.

A Saturday visit to Micanopy demonstrated the laid back way of life in this small Florida town.  Closing in on 10:00 a.m., the streets were void of cars and the shops had not yet opened.  The only life in this little town at that time of the morning was at the Coffee n’ Cream Café.  Guests sat outside on the porch, having their morning coffee and catching up on each other’s lives.  They were the early birds.  We were told most people didn’t start showing up in town until sometime between 10:00 a.m. and noon.

Micanopy is the oldest inland community in Florida and was named for Seminole Indian Chief Micanopy.  The town started out as an Indian trading post in 1821.  When a 45-mile road from present-day Palatka to Micanopy was built in 1822 by a select group of settlers and craftsmen from New York, it opened the area up to what would become a vegetable growing hub and busy market town in this section of the state.

The town fell into some hard times during the Second Seminole War in the 1830s and had to be rebuilt. Some of those buildings are now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Just one of the buildings holding this distinction.

 

Known as “The Town that Time Forgot,” Micanopy is home to about 600 people.  The main street through town, Cholokka Boulevard, is lined with gift shops and antique stores, from the eclectic to the traditional.  Those shops are a draw for tourists.

Another draw is The Herlong Mansion Historic Inn and Gardens which epitomizes the charm of Micanopy.  A long brick sidewalk leads to the front doors of this bed and breakfast.  Built in 1845, the mansion now hosts a series of suites, rooms and cottages.

An inviting entrance to the Herlong Mansion

The charm of this little town has also been the backdrop for a couple of movies.  Micanopy was the setting for Cross Creek in 1985 and then in 1991 turned into Grady, South Carolina for a few short months during the filming of Doc Hollywood, starring Michael J. Fox.  If you look close enough, you can see where the building that served as the garage where Dr. Stone’s car was repaired.

This building served as the garage in the 1991 movie Doc Hollywood starring Michael J. Fox.

Not everything is always quiet here.  One weekend out of the year, the town transforms into a two-day arts and crafts festival which draws in tens of thousands of people into the small downtown area.  The main boulevard is closed off for vendors from around the state for the Micanopy Fall Festival.

Food, crafts and art.  A winning combination for Micanopy.

Crowds are the norm for the Micanopy Fall Festival.

A descendant of the original Florida Highwaymen shows off his talents at the festival.

Once the festival ends, the town goes back to the way it was:  one of those little gems that can be found off the main highways.  If you want to get out early on a Saturday to do a little antique shopping, wait until after 10:00 a.m.  But if you’re looking for a quiet way to start the day, this little town is the perfect place.

A quaint little town.

This antique store is permanently closed. FM Facts

The 42nd Annual Micanopy Fall Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, October 28 and 29, 2017.

Presidents Hall of Fame

Whether you live in Florida or are just one of our many guests, you have to admit there are some “attractions” that are a little out of the ordinary.  They may not be about “old Florida,” but they are part of our history.  These roadside attractions can be found throughout the state.  You’ve probably even passed them several times and didn’t stop.  Or, maybe your curiosity got the better of you, and you pulled over for a look.

One such location sits in the shadows of The Citrus Tower in Clermont – the Presidents Hall of Fame.

If you like U.S. history, this is definitely a place for you.  From the replica of the Lincoln Memorial statue to the front door of this White House look-alike, the Presidents Hall of Fame offers everything presidential and more.

Imagine sitting at a table in The State Dining Room – the site for many dinners with foreign dignitaries through the years.  Would you know which glass to use when?  Or which fork?

Just past the dining table and through the first doorway is an interesting display which shows the White House as it was being built.  It depicts George Washington’s first visit to the “President’s House.”  The enormity of the project is easily seen in the intricate details of the model.

What is a museum of presidents without the presidents themselves?  Wax figures of our 44 past presidents are on display in the main room of the building.  If you know your presidents, you should be able to easily identify them.  Along with the figures are mannequins that represent the dresses worn by the First Ladies.

Perhaps the most impressive display is the replica of the White House itself.  Its location in the same room as the wax figures makes it a little difficult to move around, but it offers a unique perspective of the size of the White House.

 

There are plenty of other artifacts and presidential memorabilia on display, as well.  China patterns of each of the presidents, campaign portraits and outside, a replica of Mount Rushmore.

 

The Hall offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of our leaders, but can be a little overwhelming.  There is a lot of presidential history on display, so make plans to take your time to absorb it all.  There is a $15 admission fee, but that includes a year pass if you choose to take it.

The Presidents Hall of Fame is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Sundays from noon until 4:00 p.m.

Henscratch Farms Vineyard and Winery

When you think of wine country, the first place that comes to mind is probably California.  After all, two of the country’s famous wine destinations are there: Napa Valley and Sonoma County.  Have you ever thought of Florida and wine in the same sentence?  Probably not, but maybe you should.

Florida is now home to 30 certified farm wineries.  One of them, Henscratch Farms Vineyard and Winery, is located off the beaten path near Lake Placid on Henscratch Road.  It’s one of those places that tends to say “welcome” the moment you drive onto the property.

Our visit came during a time when there were no grapes on the vines – they are dormant during the winter and won’t actually have fruit until July.  When it’s up and running, the winery produces seven types of country-style wines, all of them said to celebrate the “taste of the south.”  The actual winery can be found in a converted agricultural grain bin complete with vats, old wooden kegs and historical photos.  There is no action inside the bin on this visit, but during the second week of August, there’s a Grape Stomp Festival.  Yes, they still stomp grapes and you can join in the fun.  It takes eight weeks for the wine to be ready for bottling, but you can pre-order it during the stomp and have your photograph put on a custom label.  Of course, if you can’t wait until the wine is ready, you can always get a taste of Henscratch wine inside the country store.

Besides the wine tasting, the old country store (built in the old cracker style) is filled with everything from the wines produced on site to homemade jams and jellies, sauces and syrups, and a variety of other country store items.

There is more to Henscratch than just the wine and the country store.  There are u-pick strawberries from December to March.

Blueberries are ready for picking in May and June, and grapes from July to September.   There is also live music January to March on Wednesdays and Fridays.

And with a name like Henscratch, what else could you expect to find?  Hens!  More than 200 of them roam around the property and feeding them is one of those things you just have to do while you are there.

Henscratch is another one of those gems found on a Florida backroad.  The winery is closed on Mondays and wine can’t be served until after 1:00 on Sunday.  If you’re looking for something to do, this is a great way to spend an hour or two of your day.

Solomon’s Castle

If you could imagine a castle anywhere in Florida, where would it be?  Palm Beach County?  Miami Beach?  How about Ona?

Yes, ONA!  A small community between Arcadia and Wauchula.  Still not sure where that is?  This is one place you may have to find using an atlas or the map app on your smart phone.

Solomon’s Castle is a shining three-story structure in the middle of a swamp.  Even though I grew up in Hardee County, I did not actually tour the castle for the first time until a couple of years ago.  At that time, Howard Solomon – the creative genius behind this castle – could be seen around the property – offering up commentary and stories to his guests.

I knew when I planned my most recent visit there had been a big change.  The king of the castle had recently passed away.

Solomon bought the property for the castle in 1972 and began building.  One of the first things to notice is the exterior – covered with aluminum printing plates from the local newspaper.  There are also 90 stained glass windows, including some dedicated to the arts, fairy tales, and even planets.

Inside the castle there’s a gallery of his artwork, made from recycled materials.  From gears and chains, to lawn mower parts and wire hangers, Solomon had a knack for taking mundane objects and turning them into masterpieces.  And he did it all without drawing any of it out on paper.

Carousel made with old turntables

Solomon’s art is also a testament to his sense of humor.  The tour guides readily say the castle is the “Pun Palace.”  Nearly all of the sculptures come with their own play on words.

The Lion’s Club – a lion sculpture with a baseball bat. (By the way, the lion weighs 190 pounds and took 45 days to make.)

The Florida Cadillac – an orange hauler which represents all the Cadillacs bought with oranges.

And Busting Out – the equal rights lady.

Like the Lion, many of his pieces were made out of oil drums.  The story is when Solomon said he was going to create an oil drum sculpture, people just showed up with the drums.

Today’s visit also included a tour of Solomon’s personal car collection, which he started in 2007.  Two large showrooms house the cars, along with other pieces of his art.  Snoopy gets to fly in the Red Baron’s plane, a hot-air balloon hovers overhead, and the wooden frame of a zeppelin hangs from the ceiling.  Also on display, Solomon’s last completed project – which you will have to go see for yourself, although here is a hint as to what it is.

Part of Solomon’s personal car collection

Snoopy

Hot air balloon

Zeppelin

A sneak peek at Howard Solomon’s last completed project

No visit to Solomon’s Castle would be complete without stopping at the Boat in the Moat for a bite to eat or a cool beverage.

 

Solomon’s Castle is definitely on the list of places to see in Florida.  It is what you would expect it to be:  fun, quirky and yes, a little corny.  But as even the youngest of visitors said during the tour, “Oh, I get it!”

And so will you!

NOTE:  A special thanks Howard Solomon’s daughter, Alane, for the hospitality.

 

 

Florida Backroad Travels

Most days are spent in the car heading to a specific location: the office, the grocery store, a restaurant or one of the many Florida parks and attractions on my list of places to visit.  But there are days when it’s good to just get out on the backroads with no real destination in mind.

County Road 665

Recently, my travels took me down some backroads in Hardee County – a rural county tucked in the middle of the state about 75 miles southeast of Tampa.  Hardee is where I grew up, graduated from high school, and where my family still lives.  If there’s one thing that can be said about this place, it’s that there are some beautiful backroads and a lot of opportunities to see “old Florida.”  You just have to look for them.

County Road 665

Whether you head to Hardee or any of the other smaller counties in Florida, there are a few things to keep in mind before setting out:

  • Carry a map – Some country roads are in areas with limited cell service. You probably wouldn’t get lost, but why take a chance?
  • Take your time – The speed limit is usually lower on these backroads anyway, and there’s nothing wrong with going that speed, or even slower. If you go too fast, you’re going to miss the sights, which defeats the purpose of backroad travel.
  • Look everywhere – Not everything there is to see will be by the side of the road. Deer, turkeys and other wildlife can often be spotted, but you have to look for them.  Look in the wooded areas, in pastures, in the middle of orange groves.  And don’t forget to look in the trees or on power poles.  Eagles and other birds can be spotted nesting here as well.
  • Take your camera and binoculars – The binoculars will give you a close up look at some of the wildlife and the camera will preserve your travels.
  • Watch out for the other guy – Believe it or not, you probably won’t be alone on some of these backroads. They are also popular for motorcyclists who spend their weekends out riding.

 

The state’s many backroads offer the adventurer mile after mile of “old Florida.”  Fill up your gas tank and head on out.  The scenery is well worth the drive.

Sweetwater Road

What are some of your favorite backroads to travel?  Leave us a comment!

 

 

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey

Tucked away along the shores of Lake Sybelia in Maitland is a hidden Florida treasure – the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey.  It’s not necessarily a step back in time, but it is a representation of a part of Florida some visitors rarely see. The center has been treating, rehabilitating, and releasing raptors since 1979.  But beyond that, it provides an important role in educating the public about protecting these birds and their habitats.

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey

Having lived in the area for more than 20 years, I have to admit I have never visited the center. It’s amazing what you can find in your own backyard when you actually stop and look for it. On the day of our visit, we were greeted by a red-shouldered hawk, sitting peacefully on a handler’s arm.

Red-shouldered Hawk

The hawk is just one of the birds now in residence at the center.  Housed in large enclosures there are peregrine falcons, caracaras, owls and vultures. A casual stroll along a meandering sidewalk provides visitors a chance to not only learn about the types of birds, but also the individual stories of the birds that are now permanent residents. Hali and Tallulah are two of the eagles here, both arriving at the center in the same year but for different reasons.

 

Guidebook provides history of the birds

Although the goal is to release these raptors back into the wild, not all of them can be because of their injuries: paralysis, blindness, puncture wounds and neurological damage – all caused by different incidents. Birth abnormalities also prevent some of them from ever living in the wild.

Gazebo

 

A boardwalk and gazebo extend out over a man-made wetland. From there the Flight Barn is in full view, the place where birds are currently being rehabilitated. A sign indicates what is inside on any given day.  It is not open to the public because the center does not want the birds to get accustomed to humans.

Educational signs are located throughout the property; however, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey provides educational programs for schools.  And there are also volunteer opportunities for those who want to get involved in the center’s efforts.

The center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  It is closed on Mondays and holidays.

Don’t miss out on a chance to get up close to some of Florida’s most beautiful birds.

Meet Trouble

The Citrus Tower

Back before U.S. Highway 27 was flooded with traffic lights and vehicles, it provided a leisurely, picturesque drive through the heart of Florida’s citrus industry.  The stretch of road from Interstate 4 to Clermont was lined with orange groves as far as the eye could see.  One of the state’s most well-known structures stood tall, in the middle of it all, offering magnificent views of the surrounding area.

Back of post card says: Orange groves are seen for miles in every direction from the highest point in the state – the top of the Florida Citrus Tower.

 

Post card dated March 3, 1963. Handwritten note: “Greetings from Clermont, Florida.”

The Citrus Tower, which opened in Clermont in 1956, was built to provide visitors a 360 degree view of the acres and acres of orange trees, the rolling hills and the lakes that dotted the landscape.  Made of five million pounds of concrete and another 149,000 pounds of steel, the Tower was built to withstand winds of more than 190 miles per hour.

As a college student, I would drive Highway 27 from my home in Hardee County to school in Tallahassee, and pass by the groves and the Tower each time.  Not once did I stop to take a trip to the top of the Tower and see the area from a different perspective.  But now, the Citrus Tower beckoned – and I obliged.

On this bright Florida day, the Tower stands in stark contrast against the bright blue sky.  The ground floor houses the history of the Citrus Tower.  Photos and newspapers tell the story of this “Castle in the Air,” along with some of the original mechanics.  Lilly’s Citrus Tower Gift Shop is housed inside the main doors as well, and is filled with all things Florida.  After stopping at the counter and paying the $6.00 admission fee, we step into the elevator and take the ride to the enclosed observation deck.

Strategically placed signs indicate which direction you are looking and the distance from the Tower to surrounding locations.  Framed photos provide a glimpse into Florida’s citrus heyday – while allowing you to look out at the new landscape, dotted with housing developments, shopping centers and other businesses.

Lake Apopka is one of the many lakes that can be seen from this vantage point.  Its size is stunning enough.  Orlando’s skyline is also visible and with the help of binoculars, you can see the Orlando Eye attraction.  To the west there are views of more lakes and more development.  You can see portions of Lake, Orange, Polk and Sumter counties, and on a clear day, even parts of Pasco, Osceola, Seminole and Hernando counties are in view. Even though the landscape has changed and the groves have given way to development, the views from the Tower are still magnificent.  The few stray orange trees that can be seen serve as reminders to what was once a thriving industry.

Lake Apopka in the background.

 

The Citrus Tower is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and is closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Interesting fact:  According to a display at the Citrus Tower, on February 19, 1953 a traffic count by the State of Florida Highway Department showed 3,500 cars passed by this part of Highway 27.  That was an average of one car every 24 seconds!

Wood and Swink General Store and Post Office Evinston, Florida

When the Evinston post office opened in 1882, the cost to mail a first class letter was just three cents!  Since then, stamp prices have increased, the landscape of the town has changed (although not drastically) and the hours of the post office have been cut back.   But one thing has never changed: the importance of this building to the residents of Evinston.

When we pulled into the parking lot of the Wood and Swink, there were no other cars in the parking lot.  A flag flew above the building, and an old mail slot could be seen on the outside with a sign that read “Letters” above it.  The old wooden door stood open – an invitation to take a step inside to a time when running into the local general store for a bottle of soda or your mail meant running into your neighbors and chatting the day away.

We were greeted by Mike Ballard, Evinston’s PSE (or postal service employee), as he calls himself.  He only works part-time, since the post office hours have been cut way back.  Ballard is used to people just stopping by and asking about Florida’s oldest working post office.  And he’s more than happy to share the history.

The Evinston Post Office takes up a small corner just inside the Wood and Swink General Store. The original 16 mail boxes are still in use but are surrounded by newer ones. There are about 90 boxes in all, with 50 to 60 rented.  There are no rural routes in Evinston.  All mail is delivered to the post office.

The original boxes are to the left of the silver ones.

The building was purchased by H.D. Wood in 1906 and has been in the Wood family ever since.  One of those family members, Freddie Wood, Jr. is still a fixture at the store.  Freddie works in his garden in the morning, brings his produce to the store and takes his usual seat inside this old wooden structure.  He offers up the history of the building and of the community to anyone who wants to listen.  Wood admits some people find it fascinating his family served as postmasters for about a hundred years.

“I am the grandson of a postmaster, the nephew of a postmaster, the son of a postmaster and the husband of a postmaster!”

His dad was postmaster for 44 years – the longest in Florida history.

The post office isn’t the only reason residents stop by the Wood and Swink.  They come to share stories, catch up on news of the locals or just to say hi.  With current Saturday hours of only 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Saturdays are typically slow.  Ballard says, “Either no one shows up or everyone shows up!”  And then there are the curious who have heard about the post office and make a special trip to this little piece of history – sometimes just to have a post card cancelled with the Evinston post mark.

The shelves are still stocked with items that were either sold or used in the store.  A collection of Elvis memorabilia is prominently displayed (Freddie’s wife is a big Elvis fan), old albums fill wooden crates and old family photos are hung from the shelves.

The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 and efforts are in the works to raise funds through the Wood and Swink Preservation Society to restore and protect the old building.  Who knows how long this gem will survive in today’s economy, but it’s a must-see for those with an interest in old Florida.  Not only can you get a glimpse of history, but you can also hear a local story or two and buy some of the freshest produce around!

NOTE:  The Wood and Swink General Store and Post Office is located on County Road 225 in Evinston on the Alachua – Marion County border.  They are currently open Monday – Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

It’s always a good idea to check their website for hours ahead of time.