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…
Category: History
A short history of some of America’s greatest conflicts
Christian Peterson [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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…
Remembering Suwannee: Francis James Ross, Part 1
Florida’s history is full of interesting people. Since I discussed a hotel at Suwannee Springs last week, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss someone interesting who was associated with that…
Remembering Suwannee: Suwannee Springs
Eric Musgrove Contributor In past articles, I have spoken about the various resort hotels that were once located at Suwannee Springs (also known as Gadsden Springs, Lower Mineral Springs, and Suwannee Sulphur…
Remembering Suwannee: Convict leasing system, Part 10
Eric Musgrove Contributor This week, we complete our multi-part series on the convict lease system in Florida. Although Section 1 of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution allows “slavery” and…
Women have now been voting for 105 years
Kathy Egan [email protected] In 1787, the U.S. Constitution was drafted, establishing the government of the United States. By 1788, all the necessary states had ratified it, so, in 1789, it became effective,…
Two-step trauma: The Dancing Plague of 1518
Mickey Starling [email protected] In my search for interesting moments in history to share, I may have stumbled upon the inspiration for the song “Dancing the Night Away,” which was a Leo Sayer…
Remembering Suwannee: Convict leasing system, Part 6
Eric Musgrove Contributor This week, we will continue looking at some of the more interesting stories in the book “American Siberia” by J. C. Powell, captain of the convict camp for many…