This is a wonderful nostalgic post which I am thrill to share with the world. Of course, this will be in my black and white series,no pictures, decided to do it for you and me I have many posts on cities in the state but this post will be on those not mentioned before, me think, Therefore, here is my take on my story of Florida USA……..continues !!! Hope you enjoy this post as I.
Florida is the Sunshine State incorporated into the USA in 1845. It has about 1,350 miles (2,170 km) of coastlines so a water lovers paradise as well. The earliest settlers were here before those northern claims…. when in 1513 a Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León landed and named it La Florida ( land of flowers) as it was during the Easter season or Pascua Florida. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. Florida is a peninsula of 700 km long, and a narrow part in the form of a narrow “stove tail” call the Panhandle. The coast of Florida considering the bays and capes, the cumulative length reaches about 13 600 km. No other U.S. state, except Alaska, has a longer coastline then Florida with as well more than 4 500 islands. Florida ; with almost 18% of its area under waters , it has nearly 1 700 courses of water, 7 800 sweet water lakes, 700 springs, 44 500 km2 of wetlands; Florida has the largest concentration of springs/water sources in the World. There you go!
Pompano Beach is in Broward County It is located along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, just north of Fort Lauderdale and 36 miles north of Miami. The nearby Hillsboro Inlet forms part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. It includes about 3 miles (5 km) of beachfront, extending from the intersection of State Road A1A and Terra Mar Drive to the Hillsboro Inlet. The Kester Cottages (the Pompano Beach Historical Museum) is a nice place to visit, I passed by here zillion times but stop by to get some goodies from a friend French importer of Le Provençal products warehouse in the city, The Pompano Beach tourist office: https://www.visitpompanobeach.com/
Deerfield Beach is located in Broward County. It is located 40 miles (64 km) from Miami, The Hillsboro river and the city of Boca Raton border the city to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Coconut Creek to the west, and Pompano Beach to the south. The city’s contemporary history dates back to the late 19C, with the construction of the Florida East Coast Railway in 1896, built by Henry Flagler. You see the James D. and Alice Butler House, a historic house museum, built in 1923 in a Spanish Mediterranean style, and the Old Deerfield School, a historic school house built in 1920 in Spanish Mission and Spanish Mediterranean architectural styles, However, we came here for its boardwalk along Ocean Way, and the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier on Deerfield Beach Island.The city of Deerfield Beach on its heritage: https://www.deerfield-beach.com/537/Visitors
Plantation is located in Broward county, The city’s name comes from the previous part-owner of the land, the Everglades Plantation Company, and their unsuccessful attempts to establish a rice plantation in the area. We have visited the Westfield Broward Mall on south of Broward Blvd, And ,also visited a friend here now moved to Argentina, The city of Plantation: https://www.plantation.org/
Southwest Ranches is located in Broward County, It is 15 miles (24 km) from Fort Lauderdale and about 22 miles (35 km) from Miami.To support its rural-equestrian lifestyle, the town has developed miles of multiuse trails, The reason we came early to introduce my boys to horse ridings, memories forever, The city of Southwest Ranches on its heritage: https://www.southwestranches.org/departments/parks-recreation-forestry-agriculture/
West Palm Beach is the county seat of Palm Beach County It is located immediately to the west of the adjacent Palm Beach, which is situated on a barrier island across the Lake Worth Lagoon. U.S. 1 passes through the city’s downtown, commercial, and industrial districts. Interstate 95 bisects the city from north to south with multiple interchanges serving West Palm Beach, including an entrance to Palm Beach International Airport. Bel Air Historic District has great architecture, The must is the Norton Museum of Art: is the largest art museum in Florida and also organizes traveling exhibits. The permanent collection features 19-20C European and American art, Chinese, contemporary art and photography. Clematis Street: is the historic “main street” and shopping venue, home to Clematis by Night, an outdoor event held on the street with live music and food. During the fall and winter months, I have come here several times to meet friends, The West Palm Beach tourist office: https://visitwpb.org/
Royal Palm Beach is located within Palm Beach County. Despite its name, the village is located approximately 15 miles (24 km) inland from the Atlantic Ocean.Royal Palm Beach Commons: encompasses a 19-acre lake, providing visitors with three miles of paved walking and biking trails, The park is located at 11600 Poinciana Blvd, We came here first to meet friends of my parents who had moved from New Jersey and took us to the above park, The city of Royal Palm Beach on its parks: https://www.royalpalmbeachfl.gov/434/Park-Locations-Amenities
Okeechobee is the county seat of Okeechobee County, It is close to the site of the Battle of Lake Okeechobee, a major battle of the Second Seminole War, fought between forces under the command of Zachary Taylor and Seminole warriors resisting forced removal to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River in the 1830s. (This territory was later admitted as the state of Oklahoma in 1907.) , Okeechobee is located just north of Lake Okeechobee. Taylor Creek flows through the east side of the town. The area is served by US routes 98 and 441 and state routes 70, 700 and 15, The reason and must to come here is to see the Lake Okeechobee, the largest natural freshwater lake contained entirely within the contiguous 48 States,(continental USA) It covers 730 square miles (1,900 km2) and is exceptionally shallow for a lake of its size, with an average depth of only 9 feet (2.7 m). The city of Okeechobee on the lake: https://www.cityofokeechobee.com/lake.html
Sarasota is the county seat of Sarasota County. You see Mote Marine Laboratory, a marine rescue, research facility, an aquarium, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, the Sarasota Jungle Gardens and the Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary. What made us come here first was the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus ,The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art houses the Circus Museum and the Tibbals Learning Center The Circus Arts Conservatory, which is responsible for the tent show Circus Sarasota, and the “oldest youth circus”, Sailor Circus The Circus Ring of Fame is a series of commemorative plaques in St. Armand’s Circle, honoring prominent figures in circus history, The major roads in the area include the only freeway in the area, I-75 is located five miles (8 km) east from the center of Sarasota U.S. 41 Tamiami Trail – a major north–south route and U.S. 301 – heading north from its intersection with U.S. 41, The Sarasota tourist office on its heritage: https://www.visitsarasota.com/attractions-tours?f%5B0%5D=listingsregions%3A1361
Marco Island is a city and barrier island in Collier County, It is 20 miles (32 km) from Naples on the Gulf of Mexico coast. It is the largest barrier island in Southwest Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands area, which extends southerly to Cape Sable.Two bridges provide road access to the island via Collier Boulevard and San Marco Road (CR 92). The best here is its gorgeous beaches and fishing, The city of Marco Island on its history: https://www.cityofmarcoisland.com/o/comi/page/history-community
Bradenton is the county seat of Manatee County ,Downtown Bradenton is along the Manatee river and includes the Bradenton Riverwalk and Bishop Museum of Science and Nature. To the south of Bradenton is Sarasota; beach communities on Anna Maria Island are to its west, and the Manatee river and Palmetto are to its north. The city is located on US 41 between Tampa and Sarasota. The area is surrounded by waterways, both fresh and salt water. Along the Gulf of Mexico and into Tampa Bay are over 20 miles (32 km) of Florida beaches, many of which are shaded by Australian pines. Bordered on the north by the Manatee river, Bradenton is located on the mainland and is separated from the outer barrier islands of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key by the Intracoastal Waterway. Of course we came here for the beaches, and love it, The city of Bradenton on its parks: https://cityofbradenton.com/parksrec
Lakeland is located in Polk County Located along I-4 east of Tampa and southwest of Orlando. Lakeland is situated among several lakes including Lake Morton downtown and is sometimes locally referred to by the nickname “Swan City” due to its sizeable population of swans, all of whom are descendants of two mute swans given to Lakeland by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957. The dominant feature in Lakeland is the city’s many lakes. Thirty-eight lakes are named, with a number of other bodies of water unnamed, mostly phosphate mine pits that eventually filled with water. The largest of these is Lake Parker, which is 2,550 acres (10.3 km2) in size. What i remember is that came to play Univ soccer vs Florida Southern College in late 70’s early 80’s, The State of Florida tourist office on Lakeland: https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/central/lakeland/
Oviedo is located in Seminole County, It is located about 20 minutes from downtown Orlando, by highway (SR 417 and SR 408). Most of the buildings in the downtown historic area were constructed during the late 19C and early 20C.The nearby Oviedo Mall was meeting central of my then girlfriend who went to Univ Central Florida 6 miles away, but native of Daytona Beach as I was living at the time, The city of Oviedo on its history: https://www.cityofoviedo.net/486/About-Oviedo
Port St. Lucie is located in St. Lucie County, 125 miles (201 km) from Orlando and 113 miles (182 km) from Miami. Florida’s Turnpike (State Road 91) is the only toll road in St. Lucie County. The Turnpike has two exits within Port St. Lucie’s city limits: Exit 142 (Port St. Lucie Boulevard (SR 716)) and exit 138 (Becker Road). For all of its route through Port St. Lucie, the turnpike is east of I-95 (interstate highway).US 1 (State Road 5) runs through the city . See the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens is a 21-acre subtropical botanical garden located at 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd, We came here to contact a company selling lots to build homes which eventually did not purchase, The Port St Lucie tourist office: https://visitstlucie.com/
Fort Pierce is the county seat of St. Lucie County. The city is part of the Treasure Coast region of Florida’s Atlantic Coast. It is also known as the Sunrise City. The city was named after the Fort Pierce army post which was built nearby in 1838 during the Second Seminole War, and lasted until 1842. The military post had been named for Benjamin Kendrick Pierce, a career United States Army officer and the brother of President Franklin Pierce. Fort Pierce is located on US 1, near its intersection of SR 70. I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike are nearby, at the west edge of town, I past by here several times to connect the I95 and Turnpike highways in my north south runs, The city of Fort Pierce on its heritage: https://cityoffortpierce.com/101/Visitors
Jensen Beach is an unincorporated community in Martin County It is bordered to the east by the Indian river lagoon and the town of Ocean Breeze, to the southeast by the town of Sewall’s Point, to the south by unincorporated Rio, to the southwest by the city of Stuart, to the northwest by U.S. Route 1, and to the north by the city of Port St. Lucie. Unincorporated North River Shores is to the west of Jensen Beach, on the opposite side of US 1, My memorable moments here was to play Univ soccer vs the FIT (Fl institute of technology) campus here I read this campus closed in 1986, The State of Florida tourist office on Jensen Beach: https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/southeast/jensen-beach/
Winter Park is located in Orange County, It is home to Rollins College, a private liberal arts college. Which is how I knew the city playing univ soccer vs them. The first president to visit was Chester A. Arthur, who reported that Winter Park was “the prettiest place I have seen in Florida”,. President Grover Cleveland visit at the Seminole Hotel on February 23, 1888, Franklin D. Roosevelt in March 1936. He was conferred an honorary degree in literature at Rollins College. President Barack Obama visited Rollins College on August 2, 2012, to give a speech that was part of his re-election campaign. The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is one of the nation’s oldest, largest juried outdoor festivals, rated among the top shows by Sunshine Artist and American Style magazines, And indeed great ambiance nice memories The city of Winter Park on its heritage: https://cityofwinterpark.org/residents-guests/things-to-enjoy/
Maitland is located in Orange County, really a bedroom community of Orlando, I drove by it several times and now a cousin lives there, Some sights of interest are the Maitland Historical Museum; the Maitland Art Center, as well as notable examples of Mayan Revival architecture and Fantasy architecture, the Maitland Telephone Museum, and the William H. Waterhouse House Museum, The city of Maitland has a total of 21 lakes, the largest being Lake Maitland (451 acres). You can reach it on the I4 interstate into Maitland Blvd The city of Maitland on its heritage: https://www.itsmymaitland.com/101/Visitors
Deltona is located in Volusia County, approximately 25 miles (40 km) inland from the Atlantic Ocean, halfway between Daytona Beach and Orlando. It is bordered by Lake Helen and Cassadaga on the north, DeLand on the northwest, Orange City on the west, DeBary on the southwest, Enterprise on the south, and Osteen on the southeast, My fond memories here is bringing my parents in seach of Spanish grocery stores here ,The city of Deltona on its heritage: https://www.deltonafl.gov/699/Community
DeLand is the county seat of Volusia County, home to Stetson University, Florida’s oldest private college, as well as the Museum of Art – DeLand. Downtown DeLand’s main street, Woodland Boulevard, has a number of notable 19C buildings. It is officially known as Downtown DeLand Historic District. My goodness so many times took this road U.S. Route 92 to it and on my way backcountry to Orlando, So many wonderful moments chasing girls at Stetson univ and playing univ soccer againt the school!! So sad have no pictures yikes!!The city of Deland on its heritage: https://www.deland.org/31/Community
New Smyrna Beach is located in Volusia County, The Atlantic Ocean to the east. The downtown section of the city is located on the west side of the Indian River and the Indian River Lagoon system. The Coronado Beach Bridge crosses the Intracoastal Waterway just south of Ponce de Leon Inlet, connecting the mainland with the beach on the coastal barrier island. In July 2009, New Smyrna Beach was ranked number nine on the list of “best surf towns” in Surfer. It was recognized as one of the “world’s top 20 surf towns” by National Geographic in 2012. It has also been dubbed the “shark attack capital of the world.” The city marina is nice and of course wonderful beach for the beach bump in me!The city of New Smyrna Beach on its heritage:https://www.cityofnsb.com/124/Leisure-Services
DeLeon Springs is a census-designated place (CDP) in Volusia County,It is named for Juan Ponce de León, The hotel/restaurant the DeLeon Spring Inn, later called the Ponce de Leon Springs Hotel, The attraction and surrounding area were purchased by the State of Florida to become a state park in 1982 which about the time I came to know it. Swim in our refreshing 72-degree spring water where depths range from 18 inches to 30 feet at the spring boil. Great underground caves which I went under! And read no longer allowed I took the US 17 passes through the area and County Road 3 begins in the community. The official Florida parks on Ponce de Leon Springs state park: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/de-leon-springs-state-park
Bunnell is the county seat of Flagler County, It is bordered to the north and east by the city of Palm Coast. U.S. Route 1 passes through the center of Bunnell as State Street, leading north 31 miles (50 km) to St. Augustine and 18 miles (29 km) to Ormond Beach , from which I came. Florida State Road 100 leads 8 miles (13 km) to Flagler Beach and 30 miles (48 km) to Palatka. Interstate 95 is 4 miles (6 km) east of the center of Bunnell via SR 100. This is a rural country town with great memories of one of my parents best friend lived here with a small farm raising pigs which we came to help on the roasting in holidays! Memories forever, and again sadly no pictures, The State of Florida tourist office on Bunnel: https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/northeast/bunnell/
Palm Coast is located in Flagler County, Developed by ITT Community Development Corporation in 1969, On October 29, 1970, ITT opened Palm Coast’s welcome center. This date is now celebrated as Founder’s Day Interstate 95 effectively splits Palm Coast into two parts, with crossings at three interchanges: Exit 293 (Matanzas Woods Parkway), Exit 289 (Palm Coast Parkway), and Exit 284 (Florida State Road 100). U.S. Route 1 is on the western side of I-95 leading into Bunnell. The Hammock Dunes Bridge, completed in 1988, is a 65-foot-high, privately operated toll bridge in Palm Coast that connects the Hammock, a highly populated barrier island, to the mainland. St. Augustine is 25 miles (40 km) away, and Daytona Beach, 30 miles (48 km) to the south, while some residents also work in Orlando, 86 miles (138 km), and Jacksonville, 62 miles (100 km).There are more than 130 miles of trails in the city, interconnected with parks and preserves, My memorable moments here is that my parents were contacted by ITT to buy lots here and they refused eventually buying elsewhere, The godfather of my oldest son was living here at the time ,eventually moved to his native Portugal, We visit a lot in those early days, The State of Florida tourist office on Palm Coast: https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/northeast/palm-coast/
Palatka is the county seat of Putnam County,US 17 Primary north–south route running parallel with the St. Johns River. This route connects Palatka to Jacksonville (northbound) and Orlando (southbound). SR 20 Primary route connecting Gainesville and Palatka took 17 and 20 many times in my univ days going back and forth from Gainesville Univ of Florida; here for the memories of always. SR 100 Route connecting Keystone Heights, Palatka, and Bunnell The Palatka tourist office on its heritage: https://visitpalatka.com/recreation/
Jacksonville is the seat of government of Duval County, It is about 12 miles (19 km) south of the Georgia state line 25 miles or 40 km to the urban core/downtown, and 350 mi (560 km) from Miami , It is a busy port of entry, with Jacksonville International Airport, taken couple times! The Port of Jacksonville, a seaport on the St. Johns River, is a large component of the local economy. Jacksonville is home to three U.S. naval facilities. Together with the nearby Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Jacksonville is the third-largest naval complex in the country , Naval Air Station Jacksonville is a military airport 4 miles (6 km) south of the central business district. Naval Station Mayport is a Navy Ship Base that is the third-largest fleet concentration area in the U.S. Visited riding a boat on the St John river with a old high school friend navy men who sadly always in touch with me passed away from cancer couple years ago. RIP friend. I played univ soccer against the University of North Florida (UNF) and Edward Waters University (EWU) , There are seven bridges over the St. Johns River at Jacksonville Interstate 10 (I-10) and I-95 intersect in Jacksonville, forming the busiest freeway interchange in the region U.S. Highway 1 (U.S. 1) and US 17 travel through the city from the south to the north, and US 23 enters the city running concurrently with U.S. 1 ; taken them all ! Another memorable moment is that it was there in Jacksonville that my dear late wife Martine got her green card and eventually US citizenship very easy, Memories forever, The Jacsonville tourist office : https://www.visitjacksonville.com/
Miami Gardens is located in Miami-Dade County, It is located 16 miles (26 km) from Miami with city boundaries that stretch from I-95 and NE 2nd Avenue to its east to NW 47th and NW 57th Avenues to its west, and from the Broward County line to its north to 151st Street to its south. The city’s name originated from Florida State Road 860, a major roadway through the area also known as Miami Gardens Drive. I have passed by here many times and to go the Dolphins football stadium, now a cousin lives there, The Greater Miami and the Beaches tourist office on Miami Gardens: https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/neighborhoods/miami-gardens
Miami Lakes, officially the Town of Miami Lakes, is an incorporated town in Miami-Dade County It is located 15 miles (24 km) from Miami. It is bordered to the south and west by the city of Hialeah, to the east by the city of Miami Gardens, and to the north by the unincorporated community of Country Club.The Sports Hall of Fame at 6411 NW 162 Street, I came here very early and had lunches at the Don Shula’s resto in the golf course, now gone,While at the Univ ERAU came in with a friend to visit his uncle a VP of the now gone Eastern Airlines, Also, my aunt Dad’s sister lives there now, and one cousin left recently, The city of Miami Lakes on its history/heritage: https://www.miamilakes-fl.gov/our-community/history/
Doral is located in Miami-Dade County It is located 5 miles (8 km) from Miami International Airport and 13 miles (21 km) from Downtown Miami. It is bordered on the west by the Ronald Reagan FL Turnpike and the Florida Everglades, on the north by the town of Medley, on the east by the Palmetto Expressway (SR826), and on the south by the Dolphin Expressway (SR836), and the city of Sweetwater. This was my backyard to go out eat as worked nearby and many times with the family for its restaurants, as part of Miami, Just about the time I left it finally incorporated into a city of its own, The city of Doral on its heritage:https://www.cityofdoral.com/Visitors
Medley is located in Miami-Dade County. It is located 12 miles (19 km) from downtown Miami. It is bordered to the north by Hialeah Gardens and to the east by Hialeah. Doral is to the south. The Miami Canal forms the border between Medley and the cities of Hialeah Gardens and Hialeah. My memories here is taken Okeechobee Rd US27 passing by this town, The small town of Medley on its history: https://www.townofmedley.com/about-us
South Miami is located in Miami-Dade County, It is bordered to the east by the city of Coral Gables, to the south by the town of Pinecrest, to the west by unincorporated Glenvar Heights, and to the north by unincorporated Coral Terrace. U.S. Route 1 (South Dixie Highway) passes through the city, for 8 miles (13 km) to Downtown Miami and 20 miles (32 km) to Homestead. Memories just of passing by it on the US 1 road going south, The city of South Miami on its history: https://www.somifl.gov/217/Citys-History
Miami Shores, officially Miami Shores Village is located in Miami-Dade County, is bordered to the north by Biscayne Park, to the west by unincorporated Pinewood, to the southwest by El Portal, to the south by the city of Miami, to the east by Biscayne Bay and, across the bay, by the city of Miami Beach. The thing was the Miami Shores Country Club of which participated in several company events, The city of Miami Shores on its parks: https://www.msvfl.gov/facilitiesparks
Miami Springs is located in Miami-Dade County,The city was founded by Glenn Hammond Curtiss, “The Father of Naval Aviation”, and James Bright, during the famous “land boom” of the 1920s and was originally named “Country Club Estates” The city is bordered to the northeast by the city of Hialeah and to the southwest by the village of Virginia Gardens. U.S. Route 27 runs parallel to the Miami Springs/Hialeah border. It leads east 6 miles (10 km) to its southern terminus at U.S. Route 1 in Wynwood, Miami, and northwest 4 miles (6 km) to Hialeah Gardens. To the south Miami Springs is bordered by Miami International Airport. My fond memories is coming over to see the planes take off and land, as well as an old discothéque call 747 memories forever, The city of Miami Springs on its heritage: https://www.miamisprings-fl.gov/tour
North Miami Beach is located in Miami-Dade County. It is bordered to the southeast by the city of North Miami, to the southwest by unincorporated Golden Glades, to the west by the city of Miami Gardens, to the north by unincorporated Ojus, to the northeast by the city of Aventura, and to the east across the Intracoastal Waterway by the city of Sunny Isles Beach. U.S. Route 1 (Biscayne Boulevard) runs through the city, leading south 11 miles (18 km) to downtown Miami and north 14 miles (23 km) to Fort Lauderdale. Interstate 95 runs along the border of the city, with access from Exit 12. You must see the Ancient Spanish Monastery,as well as Oleta River State Park. Construction of the Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux was begun in the year 1133 in Sacramenia, near Segovia, Spain. Completed eight years later in 1141. In 1925, William Randolph Hearst purchased the Cloisters and the Monastery’s outbuildings. The structures were dismantled stone by stone, bound with protective hay, packed in more than 11,000 wooden crates, numbered for identification and shipped to the United State. The Oleta River State Park, In 1841, the river was named Big Snake Creek and was part of the route used by federal troops in the Second Seminole War to travel south from Loxahatchee. In 1881, Captain William Hawkins Fulford explored the river and settled in the area known today as North Miami.In 1922, Big Snake Creek was renamed the Oleta River, When came down south used to live not far from the Oleta park on the North Miami city side, The city of North Miami Beach on its heritage: https://www.citynmb.com/596/Our-History
There you go folks, an overview of difference cities in my great State of Florida with lots of memories for me, and my family. Places that will live with me forever, and one more reason for this post full of memorable cities. Do not know when our feet will cross again but the memories will stay for the rest of my life. Again, hope you enjoy this nostalgic post on my story of Florida USA……..continues !!! as I
And remember happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 