Cultural Sites of North Florida, livre ebook

Discover local history through less-traveled places that reflect the stories and communities of the region

Cultural Sites of North Florida is your guide to 43 intriguing, little-known destinations in the northern part of the Florida peninsula, from Crystal River to Jacksonville. In this book, local experts Ronnie Lovler and Dixie Neilson highlight places that can be reached by a short trip away from the highways and down meandering backroads, inviting you to discover forgotten history, immerse yourself in the stories of diverse communities, and learn what makes this area of the state unique.

This book features a selection of small museums, culturally significant sites, nature centers, and parks that many tourists and residents may have never explored. Locations include the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association in Ocala, Morningside Nature Center in Gainesville, Camp Blanding Museum and Memorial Park in Starke, the springs of Gilchrist County, Florida Agricultural Legacy Learning Center near St. Augustine, the A. L. Lewis Museum at American Beach, and many more.

For each place, Lovler and Neilson describe what can be found there, the story behind the site, and the importance of the site to the people in the community. Whether you enjoy this book from your favorite cozy armchair or by hitting the road to see these hidden gems for yourself, you will be rewarded with a deeper understanding of the past and present of nearby towns and neighborhoods. And you will be inspired to keep exploring on your own as this book shows there is so much more to investigate!

Preface
Dixie Neilson

Introduction: A Florida Meander
Ronnie Lovler

Gainesville Area

1. The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, Inc.

2. Depot Park

3. Sweetwater Wetlands Park

4. The Hippodrome Theatre

5. A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center

6. Morningside Nature Center

7. The Historic Thomas Center

8. Theatre of Memory

9. Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park

10. Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo

11. Kika Silva Pla Planetarium at Santa Fe College

12. Historic Haile Homestead

13. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Micanopy/Ocala Area

14. Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens

15. Micanopy Historical Society Museum

16. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, Cross Creek

17. Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association Museum and Gallery

18. Silver Springs State Park

Palatka Area

19. Ravine Gardens State Park

20. David Browning Railroad Museum

St. Augustine Area

21. A Walk Across the Bridge of Lions

22. Fort Mose Historic State Park

23. St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

24. Hotel Ponce de Leon at Flagler College

25. The Frog Fountain at Flagler College

26. Spanish Military Hospital Museum

27. The Kissing Tree

28. ACCORD Freedom Trail

29. The Florida Agricultural Legacy Learning Center

Starke Area

30. Camp Blanding Museum and Memorial Park

Jacksonville Area

31. Kingsley Plantation, Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve

32. Beaches Museum

33. “Hands On” Children’s Museum

Amelia Island Area

34. A. L. Lewis Museum at American Beach

35. Amelia Island Museum of History

36. The Palace Saloon

White Springs, Suwannee River

37. Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

Cedar Key

38. Cedar Key Historical Society Museum and Cedar Key Museum State Park

Barberville/De Leon Springs Area

39. Barberville Pioneer Settlement

40. De Leon Springs State Park

Crystal River

41. Crystal River Archaeological State Park

Ponce Inlet

42. Ponce Inlet Lighthouse & Museum

Gilchrist County

43. The Springs of Gilchrist County

Acknowledgments

Further Readings

Index

About the Authors