Florida Memory

On #MapMonday let’s view this map titled “Compliments of Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Larson’s 1950 Street Guide of Coral Gables Florida Showing Points of Interest”. It features pictures and list 77 points of interest and a street index. @FLMemory bit.ly/3PGeVSH

#OTD in 1925, the @univmiami was chartered. The developer of Coral Gables, George Merrick, donated 160 acres of land and $5 million to get the school started. As of 2025, the private research university enrolled 20,104 students in two colleges and eight schools. @FLMemory

Micanopy, Fla. c.1900: Martha Chamberlin plays guitar in a rocking chair under a tree. “Blind all her life, she played piano as well as guitar,” reads the general note. The photo was cataloged by Florida Memory in 1997, shortly after the program began. 🔗floridamemory.com/items/show/144…

For #MapMonday, view this map from the 1960s titled Florida four-star attractions. This colorful pictorial map showcases a list of tourist attractions. @FLMemory edocs.dos.fl.gov/map/tiff-7/ACV… edocs.dos.fl.gov/map/tiff-7/ACV…

Apalachicola River lowlands, 1978: Worm grunter Charlie Williams is shown near his small farm in Calhoun County. The skill of worm grunting in the springtime during fishing season was a seasonal source of income for Williams. 🎞️:floridamemory.com/items/show/232…

Florida’s cattle industry began when the early Spanish explorers brought livestock to the Peninsula in the 1500s. #DYK most ranchers did not fence their cows until the early 20th Century? They allowed the animals to wander the open range, going wherever they could find the best grass. More here: floridamemory.com/items/show/295… @FLMemory @America250FL

Miami, 1960: “Lipstick tree” (Bixa orellana) pods used as natural pigments are displayed by Lady Karen Cosmetics president, Karen Pacini, and production manager, John Cosby, while employees assemble and model the cosmetics. Find more photos of the tropical tree on Florida Memory.

This 1594 map of the West Indies by Theodor de Bry features La Florida during the state’s first Spanish Colonial Period. In honor of America250FL, a limited edition, preservation-grade giclee print is available for purchase from Florida’s History Shop. Check out the America250FL collection here: floridashistoryshop.com/collections/am… @StateLibraryFL @MuseumFLHistory

Pensacola, ca. 1968: Bird’s eye view looking northeast over the I-10 bridge crossing Escambia Bay. The bridge was completed in 1968 and replaced in 2007. Explore more photos of the Escambia Bay Bridge through the years in the State Archives' Florida Photographic Collection. ✴️

Wakulla Springs, c. 1943: Florida State College for Women’s Tarpon Club members swim and sun in this recently re-digitized film, which also shows the beach and other visitors, including men in army uniforms. Download the full film on Florida Memory. 🔗floridamemory.com/items/show/253…

Marjory Stoneman Douglas, known as “the Mother of the Everglades,” was born #OTD in 1890. Her 1947 book, Everglades: River of Grass, galvanized public support for Everglades preservation. An inductee of the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, she led a remarkable life of 108 years. Learn more about this pioneering Floridian here: dos.fl.gov/cultural/progr… @CultureBuildsFL @FLMemory

#HBD to the late environmentalist Marjory Stoneman Douglas who is 136 today. She was a journalist (@MiamiHerald), author, suffragist, and conservationist known as a huge defender of the Everglades. Her book Everglades: River of Grass changed public perception. @FLMemory

On #TourismTuesday, we’re headed to Key West! The warm weather’s a calling us to head south and enjoy the beaches, ocean, and natural landscapes of this beautiful city. Enjoy these pictures from our collection. @FLMemory

#OTD in 1513, Spanish Explorer Juan Ponce de Leon became the first known European to reach Florida. Some scholars disagree about where he landed. Tradition holds that he landed near St. Augustine, but more recent information indicates he may have landed south of Melbourne Beach in Brevard County. More information here: markers.flheritage.com/home/details/96 @FLMemory

For the last #MapMonday of the month, let's go back in time to view maps of the territory of Florida from the 1800s Notice how the counties appear in each map. edocs.dos.fl.gov/map/pdf-5/ACO-…& edocs.dos.fl.gov/map/pdf-5/ACL-… @FLMemory

Piedmont-style blues guitarist Etta Baker was born #OTD in 1913. She first gained notoriety in 1956 when she appeared on a compilation album called, “Instrumental Music of the Southern Appalachians.” She played at the Florida Folk Festival several times including in 1994. Photo: Stone, Robert L., 1944-. Etta Baker performs on the Old Marble Stage - White Springs, Florida . 1994. State Archives of Florida, @FLMemory. More here: floridamemory.com/items/show/107… @CultureBuildsFL

Brevard County, c. 1963: Publix in Satellite Beach, neon signs, surfing and “fishing in the Indian River country” are shown in this brief clip from space program promotional film, Florida: Moonport USA. View the complete film on Florida Memory (15:00). 🔗floridamemory.com/items/show/232…

The Saint Augustine Map from 1589 is the oldest item in the State Archives of Florida. It depicts an English raid led by Sir Francis Drake in 1586 that burned the city of St. Augustine. Order this limited edition print and other historic documents while supplies last from the America250FL Collection, available from Florida’s History Shop: floridashistoryshop.com/collections/am… @FLMemory

#OTD in 1899, marks the first presidential visit to Florida’s capitol city. President William McKinley, the first lady, along with members of their entourage, attended a luncheon at the Leon Hotel. @FLMemory @America250FL

The 1978 Springtime Tallahassee Parade moves down Monroe Street. The Marine Corps Band, Florida Theatre, spectators, floats, vehicles, vendors and a person dressed as an enormous carrot are all shown. The 2026 Festival will take place on March 27-28.🌱 🔗floridamemory.com/items/show/253…