Eric Musgrove, County Historian It is very fascinating to read newspaper articles prior to airplanes, fax machines, computers and other more modern conveniences.antique methods of passing information, information still spread from coast…
Category: History
Suwannee County Historical Commission receives Branford Women’s Club tablecloth
Jason Futch [email protected] The Suwannee County Historical Commission made strides in preserving the history of the Branford Women’s Club following its closure in 2021. When the club closed its doors to the…
234 years later: Reflecting on the ratification of the Bill of Rights
Hailey Waldo [email protected] 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…
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [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…