Hailey Waldo editor@riverbendnews.org Monday, Dec. 15, marks the 234th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, a milestone moment in American history that continues to shape the nation’s laws, values…
Category: History
Remembering Suwannee: Lew Walters
Eric Musgrove Contributor As we go through life, we sometimes come across interesting people who have witnessed various historical events. One such person I had the pleasure of meeting was Lew Walters,…
Christmas Hemming enshrined in state history
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org Christmas Hemming, born into slavery in the 1830s, rose to become one of the largest landowners in Suwannee County’s early history. After gaining his freedom, he purchased land in…
Remembering Suwannee: R. P. Hopkins
Eric Musgrove County Historian Each generation, we lose stories and anecdotes of those who have lived before us, as very few are written down or passed on. One story that has been…
Florida names with native origins
Hailey Heseltine editor@riverbendnews.org The names of many places in Florida are borrowed. In many instances, titles of towns, communities, waterways and landmarks are derived from the languages of the people who lived…
Remembering Suwannee: 1916 train wreck
Eric Musgrove Contributor Suwannee County and the surrounding areas have dealt with sinkholes and washouts throughout their history, to varying effects. One of the most widespread of these events happened during Tropical…
Remembering Suwannee: World War II Veteran J.D. Hamilton, Jr.
Eric Musgrove Contributor This week, our nation celebrated Veterans Day. Over 80 years ago, Suwannee Countians were in the middle of World War II, supporting the troops in various ways. By March…
A short history of some of America’s greatest conflicts
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org The United States of America has been a military power across the globe for a long time. Still, our history with the military and that of our Veterans dates…
A short history of Veterans Day
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org One of the most important days for the entire world, and especially the United States, was June 28, 1919. That was the day the Treaty of Versailles was signed,…
Remembering prohibition: When America went dry
Hailey Waldo editor@riverbendnews.org On Oct. 28, 1919, the United States Congress passed the Volstead Act, setting into motion one of the most dramatic and controversial chapters in American history, Prohibition. Officially known…
Remembering Suwannee: Francis James Ross, Part 5
Eric Musgrove Contributor This week, we complete the story of Francis J. Ross, early Florida pioneer. Despite the high praise Ross gave the Suwannee Springs resort property in 1835 newspapers, it appears…
Rooted in love for community: The Lafayette County Historical Society
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Lafayette County Historical Society has been preserving the history of Lafayette County for nearly 45 years, hoping to share with a future generation of residents. As it prepares…
Remembering Suwannee: Francis James Ross, Part 4
Eric Musgrove Contributor We continue looking at Francis J. Ross this week. On Feb. 28, 1833, the Federal government approved a post office at “Ross’s Mineral Springs,” the same day postal operations…
Remembering Suwannee: Francis James Ross, Part 3
Eric Musgrove Contributor We will continue looking at Francis J. Ross this week. While Arthur Sykes managed part of the Suwannee Springs property, Ross was busy with other territorial affairs. As we…
Comments made in in the year 1957
•“I’ll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it’s going to be impossible to buy a week’s groceries for $20.” • “I’m afraid to send my kids…
Remembering Suwannee: Francis James Ross, Part 2
Eric Musgrove Contributor Last week, we began studying little-known Suwannee County pioneer Francis James (F. J.) Ross. We continue that this week. In 1827, Ross was supposedly awarded a contract for $1,200…