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

Battle of Natural Bridge Reenactment set for March 7-8

The annual reenactment and memorial service for the Battle of Natural Bridge will be held on March 7-8 at the Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park south of Tallahassee.

Fought on March 6, 1865, this battle was one of the last significant Southern victories of the Civil War and preserved Tallahassee's status as the only Confederate capital east of the Mississippi not captured by Union forces during the war.

The two days of events will include living history events, reenactments, etc. The main events will take place on Sunday, March 8th, with a short memorial service set for 1 p.m. (Eastern) immediately followed by the main battle reenactment.

The Battle of Natural Bridge was significant for a number of reasons. On the Confederate side, the troops fighting included the cadets from the West Florida Seminary (today's Florida State University). FSU's ROTC remains one of only three in the United States authorized by the Pentagon to carry a battle streamer. On the Union side, the battle involved the largest percentage of African American troops of any engagement in Florida. The 2nd and 99th U.S. Colored Troops fought at Natural Bridge, sustaining heavy casualties while making 8 separate charges against the Confederate defenders.

To learn more about the battle, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/nbindex.

Lake Jackson Mounds - Tallahassee, Florida

Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park preserves the site of an ancient city that thrived on the present site of Tallahassee more than 500 years ago.

The capital of a Mississippian chiefdom that thrived across much of the Leon County area between 900-1500 A.D., the Lake Jackson Mounds remain one of the most impressive Native American ceremonial sites in Florida.

The state park preserves two large platform mounds that were once the center of a mound complex where ancient Native Americans gathered for political and religious purposes. Archaeologists working at the site have found remarkable artifacts, including elaborately engraved copper breastplates made by the early inhabitants of the site.

The park also preserves a beautiful section of woodlands where a nature trail leads past a mill dam and the dikes of rice fields that were cultivated during the 1820s.

To learn more about Lake Jackson Mounds and to see additional photos, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/lakejackson1.

Milly Francis - Florida's Pocahontas

One of the most remarkable events in Florida history took place on the banks of the Wakulla River near St. Marks, Florida, during the spring of 1818. The monument seen here was erected in her memory by the Daughters of the American Revolution and can be seen on the grounds of San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park in St. Marks.

The First Seminole War was raging in 1818 and an American soldiers, Private Duncan McKrimmon of the Georgia Militia, had wandered away from his post at Fort Gadsden on the Apalachicola River and been captured by warriors loyal to the Prophet Josiah Francis. A Creek leader and holy man allied with the Seminoles in the war, Francis had fled to Florida from Alabama with his followers and family at the end of the Creek War of 1813-1814.

Taken to Francis' village, McKrimmon was stripped of his clothes and tied to a post in anticipation of his execution. As the sad scene was about to be enacted, however, the Prophet's 15-year-old daughter, Milly, intervened on his behalf.

Going first to her father, she pleaded for the soldier's life. Francis explained that it was beyond his power to spare the man as under Creek law his fate rested in the hand of the warrior who had captured him. He instructed his daughter to talk to this warrior. Milly did so, but found the man embittered and determined to take McKrimmon's life to avenge the death of his sister during the Creek War. She reasoned with him, explaining that McKrimmon was so young that he had "no head to go to war" on his own and that his death would not bring the enraged warrior's sister back to life.

Considering the matter, he relented and agreed to spare the young soldier's life on the condition that he agree to join the tribe and have his head shaved in the style of a Creek warrior. McKrimmon immediately agreed to do so and was released from his bonds.

When the story became known, it electrified newspaper readers across the United States and Milly Francis became one of the best known women in America. Unfortunately, her tragic story was far from over.

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

Two-Toed Tom - Florida's Alligator-Monster

One of the most unusual legends of the Deep South is the story of Two-Toed Tom, the "demon possessed" alligator monster of Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama.

First recorded by Carl Carmer during the 1930s, the story was old by the time he heard of legendary battles between backwoods settlers and a monstrous alligator in the swamps and ponds along the Florida-Alabama line. The beast took its name from the fact that it had lost all but two toes on one foot in a bear trap.

Described as a "red-eyed hell-demon" in alligator form, the monster was a terrifying thing for people of the region for many years. In fact, some people believe he still exists. Sightings have been reported along the Choctawhatchee River and at Sand Hammock Lake in Holmes County.

Expeditions were launched over the years in efforts to find or kill the monster, but all turned up empty-handed. Even so, the stories linger on as part of the rich culture of the counties of the Northwest Florida "panhandle."

To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/alligator2.

Fort Cooper State Park - Inverness, Florida

Located just south of Inverness, Fort Cooper State Park preserves the site of a rough log stockade constructed during the early months of the Second Seminole War.

Named for Major Mark Anthony Cooper, the fort was built to protect a number of wounded and sick U.S. soldiers during General Winfield Scott's campaign against the Seminoles during the spring of 1836. The war at that point was not going well for the army. Dade's Battle, the previous December, had witnessed the death of more than 100 soldiers and attempts to advance by armies under Generals Edmund P. Gaines and Duncan L. Clinch had also been blunted.

Scott attempted to bring the Seminoles to bay by marching three columns into the wilderness of Central Florida, but the European style strategy was not successful. His already slow movements became even slower due to the necessity to move sick and wounded that he decided to leave them behind under a guard of five companies of Georgia Volunteers and a small company of artillerymen.

The men, commanded by Major Cooper, built Fort Cooper and fended off several attacks by Osceola and a large force of Seminole warriors.

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

The Battle of Olustee, Florida

Tomorrow, February 20th, will mark the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Olustee, the largest Civil War battle fought in Florida.

For hours on February 20, 1864, more than 10,000 Union and Confederate soldiers blazed away at each other in the open pine woods east of Lake City, Florida. Neither side used breastworks or fortifications of any kind, which probably explains why according to some sources it was the bloodiest battle of the war, percentage-wise, for the Union army.

The Battle of Olustee was a dramatic Confederate victory that ended an amazing campaign that had its roots in a political scheme to return at least part of Florida to the Union in time for the state's electoral votes to play a part in the 1864 Presidential Election.

The site of the battle is now preserved at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park, located on U.S. 90 about 13 miles east of Lake City.

The site preserves a key area of the battlefield and offers a museum, walking trails, monuments, interpretive signs and a chance to explore Florida's little known role in the Civil War. To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/olustee.

Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park

Just off U.S. 90 between Tallahassee and Monticello is a state park preserving what remains of a massive prehistoric mound group. One of the surviving mounds, in fact, is believed to be the tallest "Indian mound" in Florida.

Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park was the site of a significant Native American city of the Weeden Island time period (A.D. 300-900). Former owners of the property indicate that there were once as many as 15-20 mounds at and near the site. Four of these can be seen at the park.

The largest mound at the site, once called the "Miccosukee Mound," rises 46 feet high and measures nearly 300 feet across the base.

The park is one of the newest in Florida, but is already in danger of being closed due to budget constraints. To learn more about it, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/letchworth.

Maclay Gardens State Park - Tallahassee

As we move into late February, it will not be long before azeleas and dogwoods begin to bloom in Florida. By mid-March, flowers will begin to cover much of the state.

One of the most extraordinary places to visit in late March and early April is Maclay Gardens State Park in Tallahassee. Covering hundreds of acres just off Interstate 10, the park offers one of the nation's most spectacular gardens.

Conceived and planted by Alfred and Louise Maclay, who had purchased the property as a winter home, the first plantings in the gardens date back to 1923. Considered a "masterpiece of floral architecture," the grounds feature a walled garden, hundreds of blooming shrubs and trees, a reflecting pool, and paths leading through acres and acres of beautiful plantings.

The gardens usually reach their peak in late March, so if you are interesting in taking a trip to Tallahassee this year, consider making plans to see the blooms.

For more information, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/maclaygardens1.

Fort George - Pensacola's British Fort

At the intersection of Palafox and La Rua Streets in Pensacola is a small park that preserves a portion of the site of Fort George, a British fort that played a key role in the American Revolution.

A small section of the fort has been reconstructed and visitors can read interpretive panels that explain the history of the site and also inspect two original British cannon of the Revolutionary War period.

Fort George was built by the British after they took possession of Pensacola from the Spanish at the end of the French and Indian War in 1763. An important port for the Indian trade, the city served as the King's capital of West Florida.

When Spain and France allied with the American colonists in their uprising against King George III, the British moved aggressively to strengthen their hold on Pensacola. Fort George and two outlying redoubts (smaller forts) were built on the heights overlooking the city and the Royal Naval Redoubt was built where Fort Barrancas stands today.

One of the least known yet most significant battles of the American Revolution was fought for control of Fort George and Pensacola during the spring of 1781. Led by General Bernardo de Galvez, a force of thousands of Spanish, French, Irish and American troops laid siege to Fort George. Heavy fighting took place as the British tried to hold them back.

The critical moment finally came when a mortar shell fell on the magazine of one of the outlying British redoubts, blowing it to bits. Nearly 100 men died in the explosion. The allied forces attacked and captured the ruins, using the position to fire down on the main British works at Fort George and forcing the men there to raise the white flag.

Although it is seldom mentioned in histories of the American Revolution, the capture of Fort George actually produced signficant results for the United States. By ending British possession of West Florida, General Galvez eliminated the possibility that British forces would remained poised on the Southern frontier of the United States following the end of the Revolution. This would prove highly significant during the War of 1812.

The battle also eliminated any British threat to the lower Mississippi Valley, clearing the way for the Louisiana Purchase.

You can learn more about Fort George and its role in the Battle of Pensacola by visiting www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fortgeorge.

Annual Olustee Festival and Reenactment is This Weekend

The 33rd annual reenactment of the Battle of Olustee will take place this weekend at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park near Lake City.

This battle, fought on February 20, 1864, was the largest Civil War battle in Florida and involved more than 10,000 men who stood toe to toe in the open pine woods. According to some sources, it was the worst Union defeat of the war (in terms of casualty percentages).

Lake City has memorialized the anniversary of the battle for decades now with its popular Olustee Festival. The event gets underway tomorrow and features festival activities, arts and crafts, etc. The annual parade will take place in Lake City on Saturday morning at 10:30 (Eastern), while the main battle reenactment will be on Sunday at 1:30 at the battlefield 13 miles east of town on U.S. 90.

Click here for more information on festival events and to check out the schedule. You can learn more about the battle by visiting www.exploresouthernhistory.com/olustee.

Ancient History in Fort Walton Beach

One of the most impressive archaeological sites in Florida can be found in the heart of downtown Fort Walton Beach.

The Fort Walton Temple Mound and Indian Temple Mound Museum are located at 139 Miracle Strip Parkway (U.S. Highway 98) and preserve a Native American ceremonial mound built nearly 1,000 years ago.

The Fort Walton Temple Mound was the centerpiece of a major mound group, most of the rest of which has long since been covered over. A large platform mound that stands 17 feet tall and measures 223 feet long across the base, the mound once served as the base for a large structure and was the focal point of ceremonial and political activities in a large village of the Mississippian time period (A.D. 900-1500).

Now preserved and maintained by the City of Fort Walton Beach, the mound is located immediately next to the Indian Temple Mound Museum where visitors can view amazing samples of artifacts recovered from sites in Northwest Florida.

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

Florida's Rip Van Winkle

One of the more bizarre legends handed down by Florida's early pioneers is a "Rip Van Winkle" like tale about a sleeping man found in the caves of today's Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna.

The caves at what would become the park were popular with early residents of Jackson County and they often rode out from town to picnic and explore. On one such expedition, according to the legend, a party of young people were exploring the Natural Bridge Cavern in the park when a wall suddenly gave way and exposed a previously unknown chamber.

As they climbed inside through the dust and debris, the explorers were stunned to find an old man stretched out on the floor of the new cave. At first they thought he was dead, but then to their surprise he began to stretch and wake up. He was dressed in skins with a coonskin cap by his side. He spoke a strange Spanish dialect but after some trying the explorers were finally able to understand what he was saying. When they told him the year, however, he became highly alarmed and announced that he had been sleeping for 100 years!

Panic stricken, the man ran out into the vast swamps of the Chipola River and was never seen again.

To learn more about this fascinating story that first appeared in newspapers as early as the 1850s, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/floridacaverns8. A longer version of the story can also be found in my recent book, The History of Jackson County, Florida: Volume One. It is now available at Amazon.com. Just follow the link for more information.

Florida Caverns State Park - Marianna, Florida

Florida's fascinating karst topography means that the state is rich in caves, caverns, sinkholes and springs. The best place to explore these without crawling through the mud and braving snakes and other wild animals is Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna.

Established during the Great Depression, the park contains Florida's only tour cave, a beautiful cavern that is toured by tens of thousands of visitors each year.

In addition, the state park preserves a phenomenal natural setting of towering hardwood trees, limestone bluffs, flood plains, a beautiful spring and numerous smaller caves. One of the other caves, the "Tunnel Cave" on the park's nature trail, can be toured without a guide.

The park is rich in Florida history. Early Spanish explorers crossed the Natural Bridge of the Chipola River here, as did later British and American explorers. Andrew Jackson's army crossed the bridge in 1818 as he marched overland to Pensacola during the First Seminole War.

A visitor center in the park displays artifacts recovered there and interpretive panels provide information on the rich natural and cultural history of the area.

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

Ancient Walls and Gates of St. Augustine, Florida

The finest place in the United States to explore our country's Spanish colonial history is the beautiful old city of St. Augustine, Florida.

Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continually occupied city in the United States. It abounds with beautiful original and restored colonial structures.

I've always found the fact that St. Augustine was a walled city to be fascinating. Visitors often pass the beautiful old stone city gate without recognizing its significance.

The decision to build walls around the city was prompted by an English attack in 1702. Governor James Moore of South Carolina torched and sacked St. Augustine, although he was unable to conquer the massive old fortress of Castillo de San Marcos. Two years later, construction began on the Cubo Line, an earth and timber wall that stretched across the northern end of the city from Matanzas Bay to the San Sebastian River.

Updated over the years, the wall successfully protected St. Augustine from ever being captured again.

The current Old City Gate was constructed in 1808 at the time of the final reconstruction of the Cubo line.

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