There is some interesting history in this part of Tiger Bay State Forest located in Volusia County known as the old Pershing Highway. It was a brick road constructed in the early 1900’s and was the first highway to connect DeLand to Daytona Beach. The road was abandoned in the late 1940’s once the modernContinue reading “Pershing Highway in Tiger Bay State Forest (Interpretive Trail)”
Category Archives: Roadside History
Roadside History: Abandoned Highway 90 Bridge on The Suwannee River
One of my favorite places to explore in Florida is along the Suwannee River with many wilderness areas and historical sites to experience there. The area just has that “old Florida” feel to it. On this visit I went to check out an abandoned bridge that crosses over the river. It was part of theContinue reading “Roadside History: Abandoned Highway 90 Bridge on The Suwannee River”
Roadside History: Lake Monroe Bridge
Passing over Lake Monroe where it meets the St. Johns River you can see the old Lake Monroe Bridge. Just off of Hwy 17 there is a park called Wayside Park in Seminole County. It is a popular place for fishing and boating. The bridge was Florida’s first electrically operated swing bridge and was built inContinue reading “Roadside History: Lake Monroe Bridge”
Roadside History: Gravesite of Ellis Mize in Alachua County
One of the most interesting gravesites I have visited was this one in Alachua County. It is the gravesite of Ellis Mize. The Mize family operated a turpentine still up until 1950. Ellis Mize lived from 1862 until 1967. Because of his love for the pine tree industry, Mize had his granite tombstone carved to resembleContinue reading “Roadside History: Gravesite of Ellis Mize in Alachua County”
Roadside History: Joshua Davis House in Gadsden County
This is a fascinating historical site you can see along the Blue Star Memorial Highway near the town of Quincy in Gadsden County. It is known as the Joshua Davis House. Here is some of the history about the house: “In the 1820’s, settlers from Georgia, South Carolina and other states came to the newContinue reading “Roadside History: Joshua Davis House in Gadsden County”
Roadside History: Historic Dupree Gardens in Pasco County
Near the old community of Ehren in Pasco County was a thriving park during the 1940’s known as Dupree Gardens. It was developed by J. William Dupree who was an Attorney. After sustaining an accident and not being able to continue on in his profession he developed the gardens and opened them to the public.Continue reading “Roadside History: Historic Dupree Gardens in Pasco County”
Roadside History: WWII Brooksfield Army Airfield Bunker in Hernando County
When driving by Hernando County Airport in Brooksville you may have never known that it was once the site of the Brooksville Army Airfield during World War II. In 1942 the 1st Bomb Squardron arrived and the 9th Bombardment Group trained on B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberators. Designated an auxiliary base to Drew Field inContinue reading “Roadside History: WWII Brooksfield Army Airfield Bunker in Hernando County”
Roadside History: Pershing Highway in Tiger Bay State Forest
Part of the Pershing Highway can be found in Tiger Bay State Forest. This historical road was built in 1917 and was the first highway to connect DeLand to Daytona Beach. It was used up until Hwy 92 opened , the road became abandoned in 1947. If you are passing by this area it’s a niceContinue reading “Roadside History: Pershing Highway in Tiger Bay State Forest”
Roadside History: Ghost Town of Green Pond (Old Grove Barn)
In Polk County is the old community of Green Pond. The community began back in 1879 with The Green Pond Baptist church being founded there in 1890. The old church is gone and many of the old buildings but one of them still remains. This structure was once the grove barn for the nearby citrus Grove. IContinue reading “Roadside History: Ghost Town of Green Pond (Old Grove Barn)”
Roadside History: The Patterson-McInnis Steam Locomotive
This is part of a series of posts known as “Roadside History”. These posts will feature historical sites you can find along various roadways around Florida while on your travels. Near Gulf Hammock in Levy County on US Hwy 19 / US 98 on the western side of the road you can see this relicContinue reading “Roadside History: The Patterson-McInnis Steam Locomotive”
