Swampy’s Sunday Reading: ‘Bright Feather’ by Robert Wilder.

by on September 23, 2012 at 10:56 am
Posted In: Florida Books

Robert Wilder was raised in Daytona Beach and the Florida locale inspired many novels written by him. ‘Bright Feather’ was published in 1948.

Many think that Patrick Smith’s magnificent ‘A Land Remembered’ is the only one of it’s kind. Actually previous to the book many, many novels were written involving Florida in the 1800s with very similar themes. The difference being most were not well written.

‘Bright Feather’ is set in Florida in the 1830s and is about families of different backgrounds, Seminole indians, land speculators, carpetbaggers, the Civil War, etc.The reviews on teh back cover may tell you more.

You can purchase your own copy of this book by clicking here or below.

└ Tags: , , , , , , , ,
 Comment 

Swampy’s Friday Train Stops: Tallahassee, 1933.

by on September 21, 2012 at 1:00 am
Posted In: Swampy's Florida History

In Tallahassee it’s the Florida Railway and Navigation Company locomotive in 1901.

This is from ‘Pictorial History of Florida’ by Richard Bowe.
You can purchase a copy by clicking here of below.

└ Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
 Comment 

Swampy’s Historic Photos: Sulphur Springs, Tampa, around 1900.

by on September 20, 2012 at 8:50 pm
Posted In: Swampy's Florida History

It’s Sulphur Springs in Tampa around 1900s. This was once a popular swimming hole in Tampa. At one point becoming a tourist attraction. It was in an area near Tampa that was the community of Sulphur Springs. It had a downtown and folks who lived around that Downtown core. Eventually the City of Tampa annexed the area and now all that’s left of Sulphur Springs is a giant tower in a not well cared for City park.

This photo is from ‘Vistorian Florida’ by Floyd & Marion Rinhart.
You can purchase this book by clicking here or the link below.

└ Tags: , , , , , , , ,
 Comment 

Swampy’s Florida News: Orange County Regional History Center Cheney Award 2012 recipient.

by on September 20, 2012 at 10:49 am
Posted In: Swampy's Florida News

Swampy and Dr. Robert Serros last night.

Dr. Robert Serros is the recipient of the 2012 Donald Cheney Award from the Orange County Regional History Center in Orlando. The honor is to one who has been greatly involved in the local community and invested a significant effort in preserving local history. Dr. Serros is certainly one of those people. He’s past chair of the Histroical Museum, Orlando Historic Preservation Board, Orlando Landmark Defense (OLD Inc.), Orlando Remembered, etc.All this while running a highly successful ophthalmology office in Orlando.

His dedication to Orlando comes from being born and raised in the city. His family had a very successful fish business in Downtown Orlando. Robert isn’t alone in his love of Orlando. His brother, Andy, was also extremely involved in preservation efforts in Orlando, also. Andy had also received the Cheney Award many years ago.

Swampy was proud to be at the Orange County Regional History Center as Dr. Serros received the award last night, September 19th.

I, as Rob Smith, Jr., have worked with Dr. Serros in all of those organizations above plus others over the past 25 years or so and can attest to his dedication and hard work to preserving our Florida history for the best results of our community and our economy.

 Comment