Here are two pages of art from the first Swampy’s Florida Storybook: Trilby’s Flower that Rob Smith, Jr. will introduce at the 2012 Pine Castle Pioneer Days festival in south Orange County February 25th and 26th. Come on out and celebrate the roots and culture of Florida!!
Here are tickets for what appear to be rides and games along Jacksonville Beach in 1948.
Ochopee, Florida –
This morning Big Cypress Swampy emerged from a hollow tree in the wilds of the Big Cypress just south of the Tamiami Trail. He lumbered up and out enough to find the great Florida outdoors illuminated in Florida sunshine.
The news is that Big Cypress Swampy did see his shadow which means 6 more weeks of great Florida tourism.
That means the weather should be terrific to get out and visit the great state of Florida. From Gretna in the Panhandle to White Springs down to Fellsmere to Chokoloskee, there is so much to see and do in our great state. So let’s get out and take advantage to this great opportunity to see Florida.
Swampy’s accuracy has been uncanny for many things, but this is a new gig for him. His pal, Punta Gorda Pete, asked him to take over after 24 years. Punta Gorda Pete first appeared in Orlando atop Orlando City Hall in 1988. He continued there until the building was imploded, as seen in the 1991 film, ‘Lethal Weapon 3’. Pete can’t help but shed a tear anytime he watches his home go up.. and down… in the film. He relocated to Lee County and Matlacha shortly after. The current Matlacha bridge construction lead to sleepless nights and Pete relocated to Sumter County. Pete finally decided to retire after 24 years stressful and busy years predicting tourism and has handed the duties to Swampy, the Swamp Ape.
Swampy is a 7 1/2 ‘ tall fellow who has been the story of many legends for hundreds of years throughout Florida. He recently has come out in public from his home in Ochopee to help more Floridians learn about our great state and all it has to offer.
Here’s a 1952 postmarked postcard of a rest area in Pensacola. It’s still there! Click here to see the east side park and here for the west side park.
Here’s a brochure of the Edison House in Fort Myers. Not sure what date this came out, but it appears to be around 1960. Feel free to add any other history below!