The first thing you will notice is this isn’t one of my typical posts where I share the history of one of Florida’s small communities, or its small-town charm.  Instead, this is a story about how the resilience, spirit, and strength of an entire island community came together in just a few short months of Hurricane Idalia lashing out to rebuild and reopen. This is a story to show that Cedar Key is indeed open, and the welcome mat is out for visitors. Cedar Key is open for business | Photo collage by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine Lodging Tide’s Pull at Cedar Key There are plenty of p ..read more

Carrabelle. A quaint little town on U.S. 98 along Florida’s Forgotten Coast. It’s a town most folks drive through to get to Apalachicola or St. George Island.  But for those who choose to venture off the main road, there’s a town full of history, some unique attractions, a beautiful beach, and a fisherman’s paradise – all which prove why it’s easy to get hooked on Carrabelle. City of Carrabelle Clock | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine History of Carrabelle Carrabelle’s rich history spans centuries, from the Native American tribes that originally inhabited the area, to the Span ..read more

If you’re looking for a unique old Florida adventure, you’ll want to add Florida Caverns State Park to your list. Located in Marianna, in the Florida panhandle, this park offers a stunning cave system that’s been attracting visitors for decades. And while the caverns are the main draw for the park, there are plenty of other things to do as well. History of the Florida Caverns State Park Imagine walking through a cave that formed millions of years ago when sea levels were much higher than they are today. As time progressed, the sea receded and the limestone rock that remained was slowly eroded ..read more

Long before I started writing about Florida, Madison County was one of my favorite places to visit.  Years ago, I spent many hours researching family history with my parents. Before county records were digitized, we would visit the courthouse and leaf through pages of old marriage records, land grants, and wills. Then we would visit Elmer’s Genealogy Library (no longer in existence) or head out to some of the old cemeteries in the county. At the time, I thought that Madison County was just another small, rural county.  Today, that’s what makes it enchanting as a county that still rep ..read more

On Sunday, May 14, moms around the country will be treated to flowers, candy, and other gifts for Mother’s Day.  While those are splendid choices and are greatly appreciated, we have put together a list of some of our favorite places to celebrate a memorable day.  Whether it’s a park, a botanical garden, an “old Florida” attraction, a bite to eat, or a refreshing beverage, any one of these Florida-style treats will surely put a smile on your mom’s face. ***Click on each of the locations to learn more. Florida Parks for Mother’s Day Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park – Locat ..read more

From its heyday as a major shade tobacco producer to its popularity for antiques and vintage collectable shops, Havana is one of those small Florida towns that exudes southern charm. A walk through the museum, the shops, or a stop in one of the local restaurants provide visitors with personal experiences of why Havana is considered Florida’s Friendliest Small Town. History of Havana Like many Florida towns, railroad expansion provided the catalyst for Havana’s formation. A track was completed for the Georgia, Florida and Alabama Railroad in 1902 from Cuthbert, Georgia to Tallahassee, Florida ..read more

Tucked away in Jefferson County, about a mile south of Interstate 10 on State Road 59 is a small town with a population of 140. Lloyd may not be a booming metropolis now but imagine a time when it was a bustling agricultural center. At the heart of that activity was the Lloyd Depot, now a historic landmark. It is the oldest brick depot and one of only two surviving Antebellum depots in Florida. Lloyd Depot | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler Lloyd Depot – oldest brick depot in Florida | Photo by Floridiana Magazine/Doris Keeler Depot History The Pensacola and Georgia Railroad began ..read more

Driving through smaller towns can reap big benefits – whether it’s a quaint Mom and Pop restaurant, a once-majestic old home left to the elements, or a roadside honey stand still operating on the honor system. And then there are those finds that, at first glance, only seem suited as photo opportunities, yet in the end have their own stories to tell. One such site is known to the locals of Wakulla County as the Harvey Trucks, owned by long-time resident Pat Harvey and his family.  Located on Crawfordville Highway about two miles north of the intersection of 319 and 98, these old relics onc ..read more

Next to the home, the church played an integral role in old Florida history, serving as the foundation for faith and fellowship. Getting to church often took several hours, as members had to travel on foot or by horse. For that reason, Sundays at the church were more than just services. They were all day events, complete with lunch on the grounds and time to socialize with others they hadn’t seen in a month. Many of these old churches still dot the rural landscape. Some of them are abandoned, while others still open their doors every Sunday. One such church is Pisgah United Methodist Church in ..read more

A visit to any of Florida’s 175 state parks is a good day in and of itself. Whether it’s Blue Spring State Park in Orange City to view the manatees, or the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park in Cross Creek to see where the famed author spent her time writing, our state parks offer a variety of experiences. Did you know there is a Florida State Park that boasts the state’s tallest waterfall? Falling Waters State Park can make that claim and is definitely one park to put on your to-do list. Falling Waters State Park THE PARK Falling Waters State Park is located just south of Chipley ..read more