South of the Saint Marys River - Stories from the History of Northeast Florida

  Thousands of tourists flock to St. Augustine at Christmas each year to experience the Nights of Lights, a dazzling display of millions of colorful lights.  Merriment, laughter and wonder fill the streets of America ’s oldest city.  It was not that way for the residents of St. Augustine during the Christmas of 1702.  The city was under siege and all 1500 of its residents had been inside the walls of Castillo de San Marcos for over a month. For almost half a century, England and Spain were at odds over the colonization the southeastern portion of North America .  Escalating tensions resulted in the outbreak of Queen Anne's War  fought primarily between English controlled South Carolina and Spanish controlled Northeast Florida .  The Governor of Carolina, James Moore, had long coveted Spanish Florida and used the war as an excuse to invade.  His plan was to take the capital city of St. Augustine . Moore raised a sizable force of about f...

  " South of the St. Marys River - Stories from the History of Northeast Florida" delves into the rich and fascinating history of a region that has played a significant role in shaping the cultural tapestry of America . From the prehistoric times when Northeast Florida was inhabited by fearsome creatures to the epic battles between Spain and France for control of the territory, this book offers a unique look at the events that have shaped the area.   Now Available in Kindle and Paperback Editions Readers will journey through the tumultuous times when Georgia invaded Florida not once, but three times, as well as the infamous era of pirates on Amelia Island . Explore the life of David Levy Yulee, a prominent figure in Florida 's history, and learn about the innovative Florida Railroad Company that transformed transportation in the region. From the pivotal Battle of Olustee to the ghost town of Italia in Nassau County , this book uncovers hidden gems and forgott...

On May 13, 1980, Judy Buenoano decided to take her three children (Michael – age 19, James – age 14 and Kimberly – age 13) on a fishing trip.  They drove to the East River, about a half-hour from their home in Gulf Breeze, Florida .  Kimberly was left on shore while the other three boarded a two-person canoe.  James was in the front, Judy was in the back, and Michael was seated between them in a folding lawn chair because he had just been fitted with braces on both his legs and his right arm. About two hours into the trip the canoe capsized throwing all three into the water.  Judy and James stayed afloat and were rescued by a passing boater.  Michael, having no function in his arms or legs and weighed down by his heavy metallic braces sank to the bottom of the river and died. This is the story of Judy Buenoano, dubbed “the Black Widow” by prosecutors and the press, who on March 30, 1998 became the first woman to die in Florida ’s electric chair. Judias (Ju...

The night was clear and hot at Raiford Prison on August 17, 1979.  Suddenly, the lights on the Northwest side of the perimeter fence flickered and fell dark.  Three figures darted across the prison yard.  One of the men was caught in the focus of a search light.  Guards fired warning shots from the tower and the man dropped to the ground.  The other two continued on unnoticed, scaled three fences topped with barbed wire and disappeared into the Florida night. One of the escapees, Willie Griffith, who was serving a life sentence for the murder of a cab driver, managed to elude capture for eleven years.  When he was finally arrested in Holladay , Utah , his wife and mother of his two young children was shocked as she was completely unaware of his past criminal life. The other escaped prisoner, Frederick Barrett, also serving a life sentence for murder, spent an astounding thirty-two years on the run before he was taken into custody. Frederick Mark Barr...

When it comes to Thanksgiving, most people immediately think of Plymouth, Massachusetts  and the Pilgrims who celebrated the first Thanksgiving there in 1621. However, there is an often-overlooked and forgotten Thanksgiving celebration that predates the one in Plymouth by more than 50 years – the first Thanksgiving in Saint Augustine , Florida . Saint Augustine , founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles , is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the United States . It is a city steeped in rich history, and its first Thanksgiving deserves recognition for its unique place in American history. Prior to the arrival of Europeans the region around Saint Augustine was inhabited by the Seloy Tribe (named after its Chief) of the Timucua Native Americans.  From their settlement they fished, hunted, and farmed.  When the Spanish landed they were greeted warmly by the natives, who even gave them the Chief’s council house for their use as ...

The Florida Theatre is the last surviving historic grand theatre in downtown Jacksonville .  It has stood for nearly one hundred years at 148 East Forsyth Street . Some people believe that the spirits of at least two of its early employees have also survived and often make themselves known to both theater goers and staff. During the roaring 1920s, Jacksonville experienced a significant boom in its economy and population. The city became a highly popular vacation destination, drawing in visitors from across the country. The rise of the automobile industry and the completion of major highway projects made Jacksonville easily accessible, contributing to the influx of tourists. The city's vibrant entertainment scene flourished, with several theaters, dance halls, and jazz clubs popping up, making Jacksonville a hub for entertainment and nightlife. At the time, there were fourteen theaters in Jacksonville , offering movies, shows, concerts and vaudeville acts.  In 1926 construct...