Short Stories
-
Bradenton Almost Replaced Tampa as Cigar Hub
Tampa began manufacturing cigars in 1886, becoming the city’s primary industry. Tampa went on to be the region’s principal city. […]
-
Maitland’s Lake Lily was known as John’s Hole
In the days before railroads penetrated the forest, let’s call it 1859, only a few scattered families braved living in […]
-
Tom the Turkey of Pabor Lake
Every town needs a mascot. In the Pabor Lake, it was a friendly fowl who narrowly evaded becoming Thanksgiving dinner. […]
-
Bear Hops on Cedar Key Bound Train
The baggage master of an 1887 passenger train was surprised to discover a large, hairy hitchhiker. Engine №6 pulled out […]
-
Pioneer Justice: How to make a thief talk
John Collier, Jr. knew he had found the thief. Now he just had to extract the truth from Perry Sellers. […]
-
The Great Hot Springs of Sebring
A town still in its infancy bursts with excitement over a natural wonder found in the heart of downtown! “Eureka!” we […]
-
Rollins Prank Ends Era of Altamonte Tram
A horse-drawn street car ushered guests from the train station to the Altamonte Hotel from its founding in 1883 until […]
-
“Discovery” of unknown city of 5,471 people stuns Sarasota officials
When the 1960 census showed the town of Hayden, just south of Sarasota, with thousands of residents, it stumped city […]