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Florida History - Historic Spots
According to the book "Florida's History Through Its Paces”, each of the 67 counties in which Florida is administratively divided, have at least, one historic spot to visit during you next vacations to the peninsula.
The exhaustive research coordinated by the Institute of Science and Public Affairs in cooperation with the Bureau of Historic Preservation, published by the Division of Historical Resources of the Florida Department of State.
Among the most famous historic places that are preserved in Florida, we can name the following:
A glimpse of Evinston office
In Evinston there is a community store and post office that dates back to 1883 that served as a warehouse until it was transformed into a general store in 1896 and then moved over 25 yards in 1957.
Gainesville is another city that is home to numerous Victorian constructions, including the Baird Theater, formerly known as Simonson Opera House in 1887, which was renamed in 1920 and closed its doors in 1939 to become the Cox Furniture Store.
A hawk eye view of Gainesville
Also located in Gainesville is the James B. Bailey House, which was the home to one of Florida's pioneers in 1854. Bailey later became a major civic figure in this city and the house was named after him, featuring today the Bailey Retirement Center.
Situated in Panama City is the Robert L. McKenzie House (Belle Booth House) which is another example of vintage homes from early settlers. This one dates back to 1909 and was kept to honor the civil leader who improved the transportation of this city.
Visiting Fort Lauderdale you can find lodging at the New River Inn, which is a large historic hotel that served the ship and railroad travelers in the early 20th century. Closer to this place is the Stranahan House from 1902 which is a Pioneer house built by Frank Stranahan, the first white permanent settler of Fort Lauderdale, today housing the city's museum.
Near Pompano Beach, visitors can appreciate one of the last lighthouses of America, the Hillsboro Inlet Light Stations, built in 1907 with open iron frame and 132 feet high. This tower was light automated in 1974 and is actually open to the public.
In Naples, the historic district, built a group of Kentucky investors between 1887 and 1937, encompasses 102 Victorian buildings from which 78 are of historic interest, including cottages for winter occupancy of renowned public figures.
Coral Gables is home to MacFarlane Homestead Historic District, a complex of 38 buildings erected from 1926 to 1940, from which 32 are of historical interest, including St. Mary's First Missionary Baptist Church.
Another museum honoring the first permanent settlers of the peninsula is the Florida Pioneer Museum, built in 1904 in Florida City as a residence for the workers of the Florida East Coast Railroad.
In Miami one of the most well known historic hot spots is the Bay Shore Historic District encompassing 235 building erected between 1922 and 1941, all of them of historical interest and showcasing a wide array of architectonic styles.
Other historic places in Miami include the Dade County Courthouse, The Fire Station 2 and 4 and the Olympia theater and Office Building, just naming a few.