While visiting the St. Cloud Heritage Museum, I noticed this Florida Historical Marker standing in…read morefront of the building. I've always enjoyed stopping to read these markers because they tell the stories behind places that might otherwise be overlooked. Part of the Florida Historical Marker Program, one of the Division of Historical Resources' most recognizable public history initiatives, these markers commemorate significant people, places, and events throughout the state. They can be found at archaeological sites, battlefields, churches, cemeteries, schools, historic districts, and notable buildings like this one. Historical Marker F-903 was dedicated in 2016 by St. Cloud Main Street, the City of St. Cloud, and the Florida Department of State. The marker tells the story of the Ladies Improvement Club of St. Cloud, founded in 1910. Long before the city had a permanent library, these determined women promoted literacy by creating a small lending library of books and magazines inside the Sugar Belt Railway depot. As St. Cloud grew, so did their vision of providing the community with a dedicated public library. In 1915, club president Mary George partnered with Judge W.G. Peckham to acquire lots on Massachusetts Avenue for a future library. The project suffered a setback when the First National Bank failed on December 31, 1917, wiping out approximately 60 percent of the club's savings. The ladies did not give up and began raising funds again through bake sales, socials, and other community events. World War I delayed construction even further as the club shifted its attention to wartime charitable work, including supporting the Red Cross and Near East Relief. Despite these challenges, they never gave up on the library. In 1921, William G. King, one of St. Cloud's founders, appealed to Union Army veterans across the country who had settled in the city's retirement colony for support. Their contributions, along with the club's years of fundraising, finally made the library possible. The Veterans Memorial Library was completed in 1923 and constructed by P. E. Morgan using hollow clay tile with a stained stucco exterior. Designed in the Grecian style by pioneering architects Ida Annah Ryan and Isabel Roberts, it became St. Cloud's first permanent public library. Ryan made history as the first woman to earn a master's degree in architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), while Roberts trained under Frank Lloyd Wright and was among his earliest employees, helping complete several of his commissions during his absence in Europe. The library's dedication in February 1923 was a community celebration. The ceremony was led by the president of the Ladies Improvement Club, with sixty members of the Grand Army of the Republic and forty members of the Woman's Relief Corps marching to the library for a flag-raising ceremony. In addition to housing the city's first public library, the building also served as the first permanent meeting place for the Ladies Improvement Club, later renamed the Woman's Club of St. Cloud, until the organization constructed its neighboring clubhouse in 1949. The club continued operating the library for more than five decades before it became part of the Osceola County Library System in 1968. After the library relocated in 1974, the historic building served several community organizations before being restored by the City of St. Cloud. In 2008, it reopened as the St. Cloud Heritage Museum, where volunteers from the Women's Club continue to generously share the history of the community. I really enjoyed reading this marker because it tells the story of a remarkable group of women whose persistence and dedication helped shape St. Cloud. Their commitment to literacy, education, and civic improvement left a legacy that is still being celebrated more than a century later. It's amazing to think that the building behind the marker has served so many purposes over the years, and today it stands as both a museum and a reminder of the determination of the early women residents of St. Cloud.

While exploring St. Cloud, I came across one of Florida's distinctive historic markers. These…read moremarkers are part of the Florida Historical Marker Program, one of the Division of Historical Resources' most popular public history initiatives. They commemorate significant people, places, and events throughout the state and can be found along roadsides, at battlefields, cemeteries, churches, colleges, historic districts, schools, historic buildings, and archaeological sites. This particular marker tells the fascinating story of how scientists first used instruments at this location to unlock the life cycle of thunderstorms. Unlike the familiar blue historical markers found throughout Florida, this one is green. The Florida Historical Marker Program originally used green markers featuring the state seal before transitioning to the current blue design with the Florida Heritage emblem, which were easier to read and repair. Marker F-309 was installed in 1986 by meteorologists from across the country in cooperation with the Florida Department of State. Florida is often called the lightning capital of the world because it has three key ingredients, heat, humidity, and converging sea breezes from both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. As a result, afternoon thunderstorms are an expected feature of the state's summer weather. In the early 1900s, however, scientists knew surprisingly little about the inner workings of thunderstorms. Following World War II, the rapid expansion of aviation led to an increase in aircraft accidents caused by severe weather, making it essential to better understand these dangerous storms. In response, Congress authorized and funded the groundbreaking Thunderstorm Project in 1945, the nation's first large-scale, multi-agency meteorological study dedicated to investigating the nature and causes of thunderstorms. Between May 1 and September 20, 1946, scientific instruments positioned throughout Osceola County recorded air pressure, electrical fields, rainfall, temperature, dew point, wind speed, and wind direction. The data collected provided scientists with their first detailed understanding of the structure and life cycle of thunderstorms. This location was selected because central Florida experiences more thunderstorms than any other region in North America. The Thunderstorm Project brought together the U.S. Weather Bureau, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the predecessor to NASA. Scientists at the University of Chicago, led by project manager Dr. Horace R. Byers, analyzed the enormous amount of data collected during the project. A second phase of the study was conducted the following summer in Wilmington, Ohio, chosen for its large military airbase, flat terrain, and frequent frontal thunderstorms. The Thunderstorm Project became a milestone in meteorological research. It was the first weather study in which radar and research aircraft played central roles, demonstrating that radar could identify the most hazardous parts of storms and help aircraft avoid them. The unprecedented density and quality of observations established a new scientific standard for future atmospheric research. The project's findings which included the now-familiar three-stage life cycle of thunderstorms cumulus, mature, and dissipating, became the foundation of our modern understanding of thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and tornadoes. In December 1996, many participants in the now-famous Thunderstorm Project returned to St. Cloud for a 50 year reunion. The historic marker was restored in 2018 and can still be found on the east side of Veterans Park, where it commemorates one of the most important weather research projects in American history.

While exploring St. Cloud, I came across one of Florida's distinctive historic markers. These…read moremarkers are part of the Florida Historical Marker Program, one of the Division of Historical Resources' most popular public history initiatives. They commemorate significant people, places, and events throughout the state and can be found along roadsides, at battlefields, cemeteries, churches, colleges, historic districts, schools, historic buildings, and archaeological sites. The Florida Historical Marker Program originally used green markers featuring the state seal before transitioning to the current blue design with the Florida Heritage emblem, which were easier to read and repair. If you find a green marker you know that they are older and were from the early days of the program Marker F-95 was installed in 1963 by Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials. This marker commemorates Hamilton Disston, a name that is largely forgotten today despite his enormous influence. Born in Philadelphia in 1844, Disston inherited and expanded his family's saw manufacturing company into one of the largest in the world before moving to Florida. In 1881, he made what was then the largest private land purchase in American history, buying four million acres of Florida for just 25 cents an acre. His purchase rescued the state's financially troubled Internal Improvement Fund, restored investor confidence, and ultimately paved the way for railroad magnates Henry Flagler and Henry Plant to extend rail service throughout Florida. Disston believed that Florida's reclaimed wetlands could become rich agricultural land. He launched ambitious canal and drainage projects around Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River. His efforts helped establish the communities of Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Tarpon Springs, and Gulfport while also contributing to the growth of St. Petersburg. In 1885, Disston established an experimental sugar plantation on the newly drained land outside present day St. Cloud. The plantation thrived for several years and even operated its own sugar cane mill. However, when the federal bounty on domestic sugar was repealed, the operation was no longer profitable. The machinery was eventually sold for scrap, and large scale sugar production in Florida was abandoned for decades. Today, only a few weathered brick ruins remain but they make a great spot for a phot shoot. They also mark the birthplace of St. Cloud and serve as a reminder of one of the most ambitious development projects in Florida's history. Although Hamilton Disston's Florida ventures ultimately failed financially, his vision and investment transformed the state by encouraging settlement, expanding transportation, and laying the foundation for the Florida we know today. This marker tells the story of a man whose name many have forgotten but whose influence can still be seen across much of Central Florida today.

I love finding a historical marker. They are filled with nuggets of interesting history about the…read moresurrounding area. I found this one while driving through Central Florida in Polk County on my way to Kissimmee. This marker was erected in 1966 by the Polk County Historical Commission. When the government enacted the Indian Removal Act in 1830, the army was sent to drive all of the Native American out west on the Trail of Tears. The Seminoles resisted and the Second Seminole War broke out. Forts like this one on Lake Alfred were set up all across Florida to aid the US army in their mission. Fort Cummings was established on January 22,1839 and named for Col. Alexander Cummings of the Fourth Infantry. It was part of the forts in Central Florida protecting the supply line from Fort Brooke, Tampa to Fort Mellon, Sanford. In 1841 the fort was moved 1/2 mile west of the original location. In 1841 it was the site of a meeting between Seminole Chief Coacochee and Colonel William Jenkins Worth. The fort was abandoned later that year. There are no remains of the fort today, but the site is designated by a historic marker located at the intersection of South Lake Shore Way and West Pierce Street in present-day Lake Alfred, Florida.

I always love catching a glimpse of the Disney Springs water tower whenever I drive by. Standing at…read morethe entrance to Disney Springs, it has become one of the area's most recognizable landmarks. It was installed in 2016 as part of the reimagining of Disney Springs, formerly Downtown Disney, and the tower sets the stage for the new story line. Like so many details throughout Disney property, this isn't just a decorative structure, it tells a story. Disney Imagineers created the water tower as part of the fictional backstory that Disney Springs is a thriving turn of the-century Florida boomtown built around a set of natural springs. Designed to resemble the kind of water tower that would have served a small town in the early 1900s, it helps bring that image to life. The tower is actually a bit of engineering marvel. It was actually constructed about an hour away, then transported to Disney Springs in the middle of the night in four separate pieces before being assembled in its permanent home. One of my favorite details is the ghost sign painted on the tower. Just beneath the Disney Springs lettering is a faded "Come Visit the Springs" graphic, making it appear as though the tower had been repurposed from an earlier era. It's a subtle touch that adds to the town's fictional history while highlighting Disney's attention to detail. This is not just a faux water tower. It tells a hidden story and every time I visit Disney Springs, it's one of the first landmarks I look for. It is a reminder that Disney magic is often found in the smallest details.

Not many people are aware that a segment of the Berlin Wall stands behind The Hard Rock Cafe at…read moreUniversal Studios Orlando CityWalk. I passed by it dozens of times for nearly two years and never gave it even so much as a glance. Then one day someone told me it was there. And what do you know? it is! It's amazing how blind we can be sometimes to things that are right in front of us! I think it is amazingly awesome that we are lucky enough to have such a rich piece of history in Orlando. And it's not roped up in some museum with signs posted everywhere warning "Do Not Touch." Nope, it's right there all out in the open. Go ahead and put your hands right on it. It's amazing, just amazing, I tell ya! DO NOT go to Universal Studios and not take the time to walk behind The Hard Rock Cafe and see this piece of history!

So many of the Berlin Wall segments sit outside in California, but this is the only one permanently…read moreplaced in Florida. This stands in a very odd place, basically if you are walking towards Hard Rock Café and coming from the backend where the University Studio's Globe is, the Wall is on the right side of the Hard Rock Café building. One would never even know it is there, as everyone goes inside Hard Rock Café from the other entrance. While observing the wall, I seen countless people just walking around and no one even seems to notice this significant piece of history right in front of them, how sad? If you are in Orlando and visit the CityWalk, definitely checkout the Berlin Wall Segment. [Review #374] (20th Review of 2016)

A treasure in Central Florida. Located in Clermont across from Lake Louisa State Park, this is a…read morerunners dream. Softer then road or concrete running, but not as soft as trail running. This is a 10 mile loop around. Straight lines with minimal turns and multiple hills, it offers stunning views depending on how you see it. If you get there early in the morning and run while the sun rises, you'll appreciate the natural beauty it has to offer. There is no shade and no restrooms. Be prepared to be emptied or stop off on any part of the trail to do your thing. This is also the same area as the Blueberry U Pick 5K that will be held in the back half of the loop. The main entrance is off of Bradshaw road that connects to 5 mile road. The road isn't smooth and parking is on a grass shoulder. There will be development soon so the 10 mile loop won't be a full loop anymore. If you want a place to run or practice any upcoming races, this is a perfect place to go!

Used to be here regularly and it's ok. Only here to have a beer and maybe a grab something to eat.read more

Odd to see a statue here in Universal Studios, this one is located along the Embarcadero Street…read moresection of San Francisco. The marker reads: "Lew R. Wasserman, Chairman Emeritus MCA-Universal Studios, March 22, 1913 - June 3, 2002." "Lew Wasserman was one of the most highly regarded figures in the entertainment industry. For decades, he had guided the course of film, television, music and recreation as well as the worlds of politics and philanthropy. During his career, he built MCA, later renamed Universal Studios, into a pre-eminent entertainment company, and simultaneously transpormed the insustry through his innovation, creativity and vision."