Floridiana Magazine

History. Heritage. Home.

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.

Lighthouses Along Florida’s Forgotten Coast

Lighthouses have been guiding the way for ships into Florida since the first one was built and lit in St. Augustine in 1824.  Besides the value they provide along the 1,350 miles of coastline, lighthouses also serve as symbols of strength and safety as well as beacons of hope.

Along a 75-mile stretch of US 98 in the Florida panhandle, three lighthouses stand tall, each with their own story to tell.

St. Marks Lighthouse

The drive to the St. Marks Lighthouse is scenic to say the least.  After entering the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, it’s another seven miles to the lighthouse itself.  The slow drive takes you through pine flatwoods, tidal pools and marshes and if you look closely, you might just see alligators, birds and other wildlife, or a buoy washed in by a recent hurricane.

The lighthouse sits at the end of the road, at the mouth of the St. Marks River. The first structure, a hollow-walled tower built in 1830, was not accepted by the customs inspector and a second tower was built, this time with solid walls. But there were problems with the solid walls. Moisture could not evaporate and, as a result, cracks started forming as the structure settled. A tidal surge in 1837 caused even more problems. An inspector at the time determined the lighthouse was in “wretched condition” and had to be rebuilt immediately. Rebuilt again, with hollow walls, the lighthouse has guided ships and boaters to the entrance of the river for more than 180 years.  It stands 88 feet tall and includes 85 steps from the base to the top.  Seventy-two of those steps are wooden, the last 13 are iron.

The St. Marks Lighthouse was decommissioned by the Coast Guard and its ownership transferred to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 2013.  Its Fourth Order Fresnel lens was removed and sent to the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association for cleaning and preserving.  It is now in the Visitor Center at the refuge.

We hoped our visit would allow us the opportunity to climb the steps of the lighthouse and lookout over the river.  However, we were greeted by volunteers with the Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge who informed us the lighthouse is closed to visitors while money is being raised for its preservation.  Once the money is raised and the work completed, the lighthouse will open again for tours.

Crooked River Lighthouse, Carrabelle

A little more than an hour west on 98 is the Crooked River Lighthouse in Carrabelle.  Built in 1895, its purpose was to provide guidance for timber ships and fishermen through the pass between Dog and St. George Islands. The 103-foot iron and steel structure was built on the mainland as a replacement to the three lighthouses that once stood on Dog Island.

The lighthouse was lit with what was believed to be the first bivalve fourth order lens installed in the United States at the time. It remained in the lighthouse until 1976 due to mercury leakage and is now in the Coast Guard’s district offices in New Orleans.  Crooked River was decommissioned in 1995, just shy of its 100th anniversary.   The lighthouse stood neglected for several years until ownership was transferred to the City of Carrabelle in 2001 and then leased to the Carrabelle Lighthouse Association. The lighthouse reopened in 2009, about 14 years after it was shut down.

A Keeper’s House Museum, an original outbuilding, a playground and the lighthouse all make up the Crooked River Lighthouse Park.  The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5:00 PM and, weather permitting, tower climbs are available for a small charge.

Cape St. George Light, St. George Island

The first lighthouse was built in 1833 on the western tip of St. George Island.  Three others followed it, including the current lighthouse, completed in 2008, which sits at the end of the four-mile bridge onto St. George Island, in the center of town.  The fact it was rebuilt is a testament to the community.  In 1995, Hurricane Opal wreaked havoc, washing the lighthouse from its foundation, and leaving other buildings in ruins.  As the tower began to lean over the years, the community stepped up efforts to “Save the Light.” Before they could decide whether to move it to a new location or shore it up where it was standing, the lighthouse collapsed into the Gulf of Mexico.  Pieces of the lighthouse were salvaged, as well as 22,000 bricks.  Those bricks are now visible inside the current lighthouse. With the original plans for the 1852 structure from the National Archives in Washington, D.C., the lighthouse was rebuilt in its current location.

The lighthouse contains 92 wooden spiral steps and an eight-rung metal ladder at the top.  A small scuttle hole of 24” x 21” permits passage to the lens.  Once at the top, the view is breathtaking, from the island itself to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico to St. George Sound and Apalachicola Bay.

A complete history of all four structures can be found inside the Lighthouse Keeper’s House, which serves as a museum and a gift shop. There is a small fee to climb the lighthouse, but it is worth it. The climb is easy until the metal ladder.  The opening to get to the top can be challenging to navigate.

With only 30 remaining lighthouses today, lighthouses are a big part of the history of Florida.  Some are now in the hands of local preservation societies and rely on funding to keep them maintained and open to the public.  You, too, can celebrate all things Florida by making plans to visit one of Florida’s remaining lighthouses.

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

Museum of Florida History

What’s the saying about “the best-laid plans?”  On occasion, those plans for a day of “celebrating all things Florida” are impacted for one reason or another.  The day we loaded up and headed towards the St. Marks Lighthouse in Wakulla County, Mother Nature had a different idea.  As the skies turned gray and it was obvious we were heading into rain, we went on to Plan B: The Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee.

Not all museums are child-friendly, but the Museum of Florida History is. Our group included my grandchildren, ages six months, three and five.  Obviously, the two older ones were the ones we had to keep interested – and from the moment we arrived, they were!

Exhibits

Just inside the door, visitors are greeted by a mastodon, found in Wakulla Springs and one of the original exhibits from the Museum’s opening in 1977.

Mastodon found in Wakulla Springs

The Museum houses four permanent exhibits: Forever Changed: La Florida 1513 – 1821, Florida in the Civil War, World War II and Naval Ships Named Florida. Colorful displays, informational panels, and replicas of Spanish ships provide visitors with a “walk through time.”

In addition to the exhibits themselves, there are more than 45,700 artifacts on display throughout the museum.  Military artifacts from the Civil War and World War II are featured prominently in the Museum, as well as jewelry and gold coins.

Hands-On Displays

Many of the exhibits also offer opportunities to interact with Florida history – whether it’s picking up a six-pound shot from an iron cannon on a Spanish merchant vessel…

Or taking the helm of a river boat.

And for the older visitors, knot tying is a skill you can practice on board the Spanish ship.

Florida history truly comes to life for visitors of all ages with these fun displays.

Grandma’s Attic

One of the favorite hands-on exhibits is Grandma’s Attic.  Imagine what it was like to walk up the stairs to the attic and finding a treasure trove of things to play with.  That’s how this exhibit is set up – housing all those things Grandma didn’t want to get rid of.  Games, clothes, and an old stove are just a few of the items to entertain visitors.  And it’s not just for the little tykes.  There is something in this attic people of all ages can remember.

Temporary Exhibits

Besides the permanent displays, the Museum houses temporary exhibits.  The current exhibit (through July 23, 2017) is Beaches, Creatures and Cowboys: Florida Movie Posters.  Representing films in Florida from the 1920s to the present, there are nearly 50 movie posters and other advertising memorabilia on display.

It’s fun to see how many of them you knew were filmed in Florida, like Apollo 13 or The Yearling, but, did you know Edward Scissorhands also has a Florida tie?  You’ll even see a poster for Creature from the Black Lagoon, filmed in nearby Wakulla Springs.

Other Things to See

There is so much more to see at the Museum than just these exhibits. The Museum houses a complete collection of art from each of the 26 Florida Highwaymen, a group of African American artists who traveled the highways of south Florida selling their paintings in the 1960s and 1970s.

Even after you leave the building, the exhibits continue.  Just outside the Museum is Florida’s World War II Monument. Completed in 2004, it is dedicated to the 248,000 Floridians who served in the Armed Services during the war, including the 4,600 who paid the ultimate sacrifice.  The centerpiece of the memorial is a replica of Florida’s pillar at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The monument sits at the end of a path lined with markers for each of the state’s 67 counties and provides local connections and reverence for the war effort.

 

FM Notes

The Museum of Florida History is open Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday and holidays from Noon to 4:30 p.m.  Admission is free.  It’s a great place to spend the day – whether to get in out of the heat or in out of the Florida rain.

The Athens of Florida: DeLand

Brief History of DeLand

DeLand’s rich history goes back to when the area was known as Persimmon Hollow and was only accessible by steamboat along the St. John’s River.  Captain John Rich built a log cabin there in 1874, then two years later, in 1876, Henry A. DeLand visited his brother-in-law who lived in Persimmon Hollow.  DeLand liked it so much he purchased a $1,000 plot of land with the idea of developing the area.  He offered settlers purchasing the property a chance to sell it back to him within a two-year period.  DeLand lived up to his word after a freeze destroyed all of their crops and they could no longer stay there.  He bought back all the land.

“Henry’s Vision”

DeLand is also responsible for the city’s nickname “The Athens of Florida.”  Although he was never a full-time resident of the state, he wanted the city to become a place of culture, education and beauty like Athens, Greece.

Stetson University

Stetson University, Florida’s oldest private college, also plays a major role in the city’s history.  Stetson sits on about 160 acres of land in the heart of DeLand.  Founded in 1883 as DeLand University, its name was changed to Stetson University in 1889 in honor of John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who, along with Henry DeLand (founder of the city), was one of the founding trustees of the university.

DeLand Hall

Beautiful brick buildings are part of the university’s landscape.  One of those buildings, Elizabeth Hall, was built in 1885 and sits on North Woodland Boulevard.  Elizabeth Hall and other buildings like it are the reasons the university is on the National Register of Historic Places for the state’s “oldest collection of education-related buildings.”

Elizabeth Hall, built 1885

This picturesque campus has been ranked as the 5th best regional university in the South in the 2017 U.S. News and World Report’s guide to America’s Best Colleges.

Stetson Mansion

When planning for this day trip to DeLand, I knew I also wanted to see the Stetson Mansion, but driving up to the entrance, the gate was closed and a sign indicated the start time of the next tour.   Reservations for the tours are required, which means I should have done a little more research! Nevertheless, looking through the gate at this massive mansion, it’s easy to understand why it is Florida’s first luxury estate.

The mansion is referred to as “The House that Hats Built” and served as the winter home for John B. Stetson for 20 years.  Built in 1886, the mansion is filled with intricate carvings, parquet floors and 10,000 panes of antique window glass. It is also one of the first homes in the world with electricity, thanks to the friendship between Stetson and Thomas Edison.  Although it is now a private residence, year-round tours are still offered with special tours taking place during the Christmas holidays.

Athens Theatre

It’s only fitting that the city known as The Athens of Florida is home to its own Athens Theatre.  The theatre is in Historic Downtown DeLand at the end of Indiana Avenue along North Florida Avenue.  The theatre opened its doors in 1922 and was dubbed “Florida’s Handsomest Theatre.”  The theatre has evolved over the years from vaudeville acts to a movie theatre to a dinner theatre.  It closed its doors in the early 1990s but became the focus of the MainStreet DeLand Association which recognized the role it plays in the history of the city.  It is now owned by a non-profit theatre company and produces six Broadway caliber shows per year.  The Athens Theatre Youth Company also uses the facility to educate the youth about the performing arts.

The DeLand Mural Walk

Another must-see in DeLand is the city’s Mural Walk.  With 12 official murals painted on the sides of buildings around town, it is part of the Florida Mural Trail.  Each mural offers its own story about the history of Deland and range from smaller paintings, like “Gibbs Clothing Store”

…to the city’s longest mural at Painter’s Pond Park.  At 100 feet long, it shows what train passengers would see as they were riding through DeLand in the early 1900s.

In addition to the “official” murals, there are several others painted around town that are worth seeing.  The “Wings” painting along Pill Alley is one of those that visitors seek out, perhaps in an effort to earn their own wings.

Shopping and Dining in DeLand

The streets of DeLand are filled with stores, restaurants, and drinking establishments. Music stores offer up vinyl records of some of the old favorites, while antique stores provide treasure hunters plenty of opportunities to plunder.

Three-story antique store. A dream come true!

Hometown breweries like Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company and outdoor spaces like DaVinci Gardens give patrons unique experiences to relax and unwind.

On the outside looking in

Fun during the day, but buzzing at night

Other Things to See in DeLand

If these things aren’t enough to keep a person busy, there are a couple of other opportunities to take in the city of DeLand.  Stop by the old courthouse and gaze up at the amazing architecture, or visit the Chess Park adjacent to the courthouse.  Chess pieces are not provided.

With so much to see and do in DeLand, it’s best to do a little research beforehand.  But it’s definitely a place to go to continue “celebrating all things Florida.”

Fort Desoto Park: Pinellas County

With more than 660 miles of beaches in Florida, there are plenty of places to throw down a beach blanket and put your toes in the sand.  When you’re looking around for that perfect spot, don’t forget to check some of the county parks – there are plenty of hidden treasures where you least expect them.  One of those gems, located along Florida’s Sun Coast, is Fort Desoto Park near St. Petersburg and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

The Park

Fort Desoto Park is the largest of the Pinellas County Parks with 1,136 acres encompassing five keys: Mullet Key, Madelaine Key, Bonne Fortune Key, St. Christopher Key, and St. Jean Key.  A drive around the park reveals an abundance of native plants, mangroves, wetlands and hundreds of species of birds.   The park is a popular destination for locals and tourists, with more than 2.5 million visitors a year.

The Fort 

The history of Fort Desoto dates back to 1,000 AD with the Tocobaga Indians and includes explorations by Spaniards, including Hernando DeSoto, in the 1500s. Perhaps the history it is most widely known for is its use during war time.  In the mid-1800s it was determined the area would make a good coastal defense area. Although there was not an actual fort, a blockade was set up during the Civil War by Union troops between Egmont and Mullet Key.  Confederate soldiers were spotted easily by troops at the top of the Egmont Key Lighthouse.

It wasn’t until 1898 and the Spanish American War, that construction of the fort began on the island.  The first phase, which took six months to complete, included a wharf out into Tampa Bay, as well as an office, mess hall and quarters for the workmen. Eight months later, the Mortar Battery was completed – under budget.

It’s interesting to note Fort DeSoto was never the site of a major battle and the mortars were never used in combat.  However, walking through the fort and touching the massive weapons causes you to only imagine what it would have been like for the troops stationed there, keeping watch and fighting the elements.  Make sure to read up on the history on display inside the fort.

The Beach and Pier

Aside from the history associated with Fort DeSoto, the park offers up beautiful beaches.  There are about seven miles of the park along the water, and three miles of that includes white sandy beaches.  Our latest visit took us to  North Beach where beach umbrellas dotted the shoreline and beach goers set up residence for the day.  The water was clear and calm, and the ocean floor was smooth – the perfect backdrop for a refreshing and relaxing day.

If you are more into fishing than sunbathing, there are also two piers at the park, where anglers of all ages cast their lines or their nets. Baitfish can be seen under the piers along with dolphins playing in the water.

A friendly word of caution: Untended fish left on the cleaning tables are fair game!

Activities

Besides the fort, the park offers numerous other amenities, from camping to boating and kayaking, to picnicking and hiking.  A ferry service also runs to Egmont Key, but it’s advised you make reservations before the day of your visit.  It takes about half an hour for the ferry ride over to the island but once there, visitors are met with great shelling and swimming.  There’s also another fort to explore on Egmont Key as well as a large population of gopher tortoises.

Whatever you choose to do, there are plenty of parking spaces, but arriving early guarantees a spot. The cost to get into the park is $5.00 per car.  It is well worth the price and the trip!

 

Fort Christmas Historical Park

The last time I visited Fort Christmas in Orange County was when my children were in elementary school and that was – well, let’s just say that was a long time ago.  As with all historical places, I have found I appreciate them more the older I get.

Fort Christmas Historical Park is located on Highway 50 between Orlando and Titusville.  It sits about two miles off 50 on County Road 420, or as the locals call it, Fort Christmas Road.  The park takes up 25 acres on the west side of the road and 119 on the east.  There is a lot to see and do at the park, so plan on staying awhile.

Replica of Fort Christmas 

Perhaps the centerpiece of the park is the full-size replica of Fort Christmas. The original fort was just a short distance away and was one of several posts built to store supplies for troops on their way south for fighting in the Second Seminole War.  The original fort was established December 25, 1837 and was abandoned less than four months later. The name lived on, however, as it became the name of the town of Christmas.

Entrance to replica of Fort Christmas

Just inside the entrance is the first of two blockhouses which served as lookouts, the general’s headquarters, and protection of the troops.  The second of the blockhouses sits on the opposite corner of the fort.

Building to the right of the entrance is one of two blockhouses.

These two structures now serve as museums and house artifacts of the time – from photos of prominent families to weaponry to  saddles, cowboy hats and other ranching necessities.

Also inside the stockade is a storehouse for holding the army rations and supplies as well as food staples. A powder magazine below ground level (for safety purposes) provides visitors with a look at how ammunition was stored.

Living History Settlement

A few steps away from the fort is the entrance to the village.  Imagine life in the late 1800s and early 1900s. No air conditioning, no inside plumbing.  One-room houses were the norm, although some were added onto over time for growing families.

The Yates House

Walking into any of these structures reminds you of how simple yet how tough life was at the turn of the century.  Netting around the beds.  Handmade quilts.  Living spaces with fireplaces.

Interior of one of the homes. Notice the netting over the beds and the cracks between the wood.

Living rooms served as family spaces.

Some of these houses also serve as exhibits.  The Simmons III Home also serves as the exhibit for the Fort Christmas Post Office…

While the Ranching Exhibit is housed inside the Beehead Ranch House.

Notice all of the brands on the hide on the floor

Other Historical Structures

As a former teacher, it’s always interesting to see how schools were once operated.  Stepping inside the Union School provided a look into a 1907 classroom. Named for the way it “united” several of the small schools in the area operated by families into one location, Union School was once just a one-room schoolhouse.

The Union School

An addition of a small room in the back of the school was made in the 1920s.  The desks are set in neat rows with reading books of various grade levels set on top of them.

Original room of the school

1920s addition

A lunchroom added in 1932 now serves as a kitchen exhibit for those visiting the park.

Other structures include the Partin Home – built in 1953 complete with indoor plumbing and electricity.  It is a far cry from their first home built 40 years before.  Their ‘50s barn is also adjacent to the house.

Partin Home

Recreational Amenities

The park provides visitors with other opportunities for fun and family time.  Take along your basketball or tennis rackets and have some friendly competition on the courts.  There’s also a playground, a 1920’s softball field and rentable pavilions where you can enjoy your lunches.

Whatever you do during your visit to the park, it’s sure to be both educational and fun.  The park is open during the summer from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and in the winter from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Hours for the museum and homes are Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

 

Ponce Inlet Light Station and Museum

There are some locations that seem to beckon you to visit.  The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is one of them.  Reaching 175 feet majestically into the sky, this red structure is the tallest lighthouse in the state, and second tallest masonry lighthouse in the United States, behind the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

The Lighthouse

The day we visited, the lighthouse wasn’t even on my radar.  (I’m certainly not one who would go climbing something that tall just for the fun of it!) Standing at the base and looking up, the lighthouse didn’t look that formidable.   But try climbing the 203 steps and you will definitely have a different opinion.  I know I did.  Thankfully, on the lower levels there were places to stop and catch our breath.  But as we got closer to the top, it felt like the walls were closing in.  No wonder.  Its 32-foot diameter base slowly shrinks to just 12 feet at the top.  Once there, though, the view – even on a cloudy day – is breathtaking – water everywhere you look.  After all, it is located ten miles south of Daytona Beach, where the Halifax River and Indian River flow into the Atlantic Ocean.

Looking out at the Atlantic Ocean

Ponce Inlet Light Station Museum

Construction on the lighthouse began in 1884 and was completed in 1887. Still an active lighthouse, it also serves as the focal point of the Ponce Inlet Light Station and Museum, which includes all of the original dwellings of the keepers as well as other support buildings.  Ponce Inlet is one of the only Light Stations in the United States that has these buildings intact.

Keeper’s Dwellings

There are three Keeper’s Dwellings that serve as the museum: Principal Keeper’s, First Assistant Keeper’s, and Second Assistant Keeper’s.  Each building provides visitors with a different piece of history.  The Principal Keeper’s Dwelling once was home to the principal keeper and his family. Now it houses exhibits about  lighthouses of the world, lighthouses for airplanes, and Native Americans in Florida, to name a few.

Principal Keeper’s Dwelling

The First Assistant’s Dwelling is not open for actual tours, but can be seen through viewing panels on the front and back porches.  It was named in honor of Gladys Meyer Davis whose father served as the last Lighthouse Service Principal Keeper at the lighthouse.  The building is furnished as it would have been in the late 1800s or early 1900s. In the Second Assistant Keeper’s Dwelling, visitors can learn more about the local community, from beach racing to the lives of the keepers and their families.  This building actually served as the first town hall for Ponce Inlet in the early 1960s.

First Assistant’s Dwelling

Lens Exhibit

A visit to the lighthouse wouldn’t be complete with going inside of the Lens Exhibit Building.  Before this trip, I did not know about the different types of lenses that are used in lighthouses.  I still don’t know a lot, but what I do know, is this is an impressive collection.  The rotating first order Fresnel lens from the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is on display as well as the original fixed first order Fresnel lens that was used from 1887 – 1933 in the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse.

Some of the lenses on display

Sign explaining the history of the Cape Canaveral lens

Learn more about the history of Ponce Inlet Lighthouse through other exhibits onsite.  The Ponce De Leon Inlet Light Station and Museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  From Memorial Day to Labor Day the hours are extended until 9:00 p.m. with the last tour beginning at 8:00 p.m.  There is an entrance fee which you pay inside the gift shop.

 

Floridiana Magazine (FM) Footnotes:

The Light Station and Museum is operated by the Ponce De Leon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association, Inc.  It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1998 and is now visited by more than 170,000 people a year.

According to the Florida Lighthouse Association, there are 30 lighthouses in Florida and preserving all of them would take nearly $20 million dollars.

For those who visit lighthouses on a regular basis, visit United States Lighthouse Society Passport Program and join the free Passport Club.  There is a charge to actually purchase your passport. Information on that is also available on the website.