Alligators - Florida's Most Famous Residents

From the earliest days of the exploration of Florida, alligators have been the focus of marvel and curiosity. The unique reptiles have played a rich role in the history of the state and continue to do so today.

The earliest known drawings of alligators were made by the French artist Jacques LeMoyne. His sketches, drawn in the 1560s, show Indians battling, killing and cooking alligators. One of the monsters in LeMoyne's artwork is easily over 20 feet long.

The largest alligator verified by modern methods was a 19' 3" specimen discovered in Louisiana, but early naturalist William Bartram reported much larger ones in Florida during the late 1700s:

I have seen them twenty feet in length, and some are supposed to be twenty-two or twenty-three feet. Their body is as large as a horse....

Like many many other species that produce their young from eggs, alligators were almost wiped out during the 20th century. The insecticide DDT was widely applied in Florida and other Southern states to battle the fire ant infestation. While the chemical did not harm alligators and other species, it unfortunately weakened the shells of their eggs. As a result, the number of hatchlings dropped dramatically and populations of alligators and other birds and animals plunged.

Careful conservation methods, however, saved the alligator and the mysterious reptile has made a dramatic comeback. To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/alligators1.

An Interesting Early Account of Florida Caverns State Park

Marianna – One of the earliest recorded accounts of the caves within the limits of today’s Florida Caverns State Park was a description of the Natural Bridge Cave (now closed to the public) written in 1842 by the editor of the Tallahassee Floridian:

…Its entrance is on the side of a small hill, the mouth sufficiently large to admit two persons at a time in a standing posture. After furnishing ourselves with lighted candles we commenced our “exploring expedition.” A few steps led us into a large subterranean hall, of very irregular and curious structure. Its floor was quite uneven; and its roof thickly studded with glittering stalactites, forming a splendid arch, apparently supported by finely chiseled pillars of solid rock. After proceeding some distance, clambering over rocks, jumping ravines, now ascending land, anon descending, we at length reached a fine, cool spring, which gushed forth from a cleft in a large rock situated in a remote corner of the first apartment.

Unable to fathom that centuries of dripping water had hollowed out the cavern, the writer puzzled over what cataclysmic upheaval could have created the cave. He mentioned that local residents had explored a number of similar caverns in the area, including the Arch Cave west of the Chipola and the Rock Cave on the plantation of Dr. Samuel Bellamy.

After drinking cool water from the natural pool, the editor and his fellow explorers continued deeper into the cave:

…We pursued our uneven course into the net apartment, which presented much the appearance of the first. Having by this time become somewhat fatigued – the atmosphere being rather oppressive – we retraced our steps, and once more emerged into the light of day without meeting any accident. We think the position of the cave we explored was about 150 yards in length and ranging, in height, from 6 to 16 feet.

Such descriptions helped stimulate Florida’s first tourism industry, bringing visitors from across the country to Marianna to explore the caves and experience the beautiful scenery. Early accounts describe how visitors to Marianna were taken out to the natural bridge in wagons or carriages and given torchlight tours of the cavern. The process continues to this day, albeit in more modern form. If you would like to learn more about Florida Caverns State Park, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/floridacaverns.

Note: This article is excerpted from The History of Jackson County, Florida: The Early Years by Dale Cox. The book is available in Marianna at Chipola River Book and Tea on Lafayette Street downtown or online at www.amazon.com.

Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science

One of the most interesting museum complexes in Florida borders Lake Bradford in Tallahassee.

The Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science, formerly known as the Tallahassee Junior Museum, covers more than 50 acres and features a wide variety of exhibits including a fascinating collection of historic structures.

One of the most interesting is Belleview, the home of the Princess Murat. Few people today realize that Tallahassee was once the home of a famed French prince and princess. Prince Achille Murat was a nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife, Catherine, was a great-grandniece of President George Washington. Although he died during the 1830s, she lived until 1867. The last 13 years of her life were spent at Belleview, a charming little plantation house that originally stood on Jackson Bluff Road in Leon County. During that time she visited the court of Emperor Napoleon III in France and received support from the French Empire.

The museum also features an array of other preserved structures, including a turpentine commissary, church, school and a complete Florida farm dating from the 19th century. Visitors can also explore nature trails and other exhibits and also see a large collection of native Florida animals including extremely rare Florida Panthers.

To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/tallahasseemuseum.

Jackson County book hits #26 on Bestsellers List

The History of Jackson County, Florida: The Early Years achieved a unique milestone today. As of 10 p.m. tonight, it had moved to #26 on Amazon.com's list of bestsellers about Florida.

The book is Volume One of an eventual three volume set about Jackson County and is unique among county histories from Florida because it explores a lot more than names and dates. Jackson County is one of the most historic regions of the state. First explored and settled by Spanish missionaries in 1674, it was the location of significant events during the American Revolution, War of 1812, First Seminole War, Second Seminole War and Civil War. The book is written more as a history of a region of Florida than in the typical "recitation" style of most county histories.

If you are interested in learning more, Amazon offers a free preview of the book. Just follow the link in the Bestseller listing below:

26.
The History of Jackson County, Florida: The Early Years by Dale Cox (Author)

In Stock Price: $24.95

Two Egg, Florida

Yes, it is a real place! Two Egg, Florida is located in the heart of the farming country of Jackson County (near Marianna and between Tallahassee and Pensacola).

Actually founded around the time of the Civil War and ones known as Allison, the community acquired its unusual name during the Great Depression. Although there are a few different versions, most stories agree that the name originated from the barter system that developed in one of the stores there during the darkest days of the Depression when money had dried up and area residents traded items from their farms for things they needed from the store. Two Eggs became a common unit of barter and the name of the town - Two Egg - was born.

The name first appeared on highway maps of Florida during the 1940s and has remained a fixture there ever since. Sadly, none of the stores are still open, but the little crossroad still attracts its fair share of attention. Visitors with cameras and tourists posing by the "Two Egg" signs are common sights.

To learn more about Two Egg and read a bit of its history, please visit http://www.twoeggfla.com/.