I can tell you a lot about Michigan history and the influence of the French fur traders and the Jesuits, but in my new state, I don't know a whole lot beyond Ponce de Leon. On Monday, I went on a tour of a beautiful spot just up the road called Historic Spanish Point. It was a nice day to walk around and soak up the history, that ranged from shell mounds that date to 300 AD, pioneer life in Florida as part of the Homestead Act after the Civil War and finally the facinating story of Bertha Honore' Palmer, a Chicago heiress and one of the first official snowbirds. There were stories of burial mounds, cattle ranches, orange groves and million dollar real estate deals that made Sarasota what it is today.
We walked on trails through the thick tropical vegetation, imagining clearing it without power tools. There were no roads, so travel and shipping of the orange crops was by boat on Sarasota Bay. The homesteaders picked the spot for its beauty, but the early native Americans picked it for its abundance of shellfish and protection from hurricanes due to its sheltered position on the Gulf. The plants, trees and restored buildings were beautiful and it's a place I would love to visit again. And, as an added bonus, now I know the historical significance of the names of the streets I drive every day.
Happy Thursday!
That sounds like fun and a wonderful way to get to know your new state!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! Thanks for the virtual tour Vicki!!! Annster's Domain
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely spot!
DeleteWhat a great way to get to know more about your new surroundings. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and Florida does have a very interesting history!
ReplyDeleteOh such beauty to be seen all around us:) Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking us to this beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteFlorida history is so much more interesting than I had realized. My book club read A Land Remembered (I'm sure your kids read it in school) and i enjoyed learning about the early cattle ranchers too.
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