Here’s a postcard showing the Rainbow Queen which took folks out from the park itself out along the Rainbow River to see the natural sites.
Rainbow Springs is the site this year for the Marion County Springs Festival that Swampy will have a display at. Come out and say Hello!
This undated postcard does describe the location on the back – ‘Cleveland Street business section looking west, Clearwater, Florida’. By the cars, I’d say this is from around 1960. Obviously, by the lights and star, around Christmas time.
Please post whatever memories or information you might know about Clearwater at this time.
It’s the historic Menger Hotel where Teddy Roosevelt gathered his Rough Riders and made the plans to charge up San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War. The Riders were specifically selected from the South and Southwest with the thought that they would better be able to handle the Cuban weather.
Below are photos from inside The Menger Bar. The first photo is where Roosevelt met to plan out the trip in the loft of the bar. The last two are photos of part of the exhibit of the Roosevelt gathering. 
This newest Swampy’s Florida history and coloring book is the celebrate the last reunion of one of America’s greatest heroes of World War II, the Jimmy Doolittle Raiders.
There are five left of the force of 25 that made their way to Japan in response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They will be gathering for the last of their many reunions in Fort Walton Beach, near Eglin Air Force Base where they trained for the mission.
The event is April 17th through the 20th and will include a parade and an opportunity to meet these men who went on a mission that they knew that might not return from.
The book is being produced by the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and with great assistance by the executive director, Ted Cocoran. Someone who helped and didn’t want mention in the book is Robert Smith, Sr, whose technical assistance involving the accuracy of the military aircraft was invaluable. His time in the Air Force along with his fascination and knowledge of aircraft is why the B-25 on the cover looks any good at all. I’m sure I made errors along the way, but those are mine, not Ted’s or Robert Smith, Sr.
Here’s a new feature for Swampy’s Florida showing friends of Swampy!
Here’s Roger and Becky Fisher from San AAntonio, Texas!
Watch here for more photos of Swampy’s Friends!
Thanks to Shawn Anderson who inspired the start of a gallery of Swampy’s Friends. Swampy’s friends extend beyond the Florida borders and this gives a place for them and others in our great state!