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

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...

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...

North East Florida has seen its share of hurricanes.  Luckily, the region has, for the most part, escaped much of the devastation that these storms have caused in other parts of the state.  Due to its unique “indented” shoreline, most Atlantic hurricanes have bounced off the shore further south, avoiding landfall in North East Florida, and then collided with land again in the Carolinas .  Most Gulf of Mexico storms either track due North or are considerably weakened by the time they arrive in this part of the State. It is reasonable to assume that the region had seen hurricanes for many millenniums before the first one was recorded.  The indigenous people that lived in Florida before the arrival of European settlers were much attuned to nature.  It is likely that they regarded hurricanes as part of the natural cycle – or perhaps warnings from the Gods. Many early explorers and colonizers did not have previous experience with the severe storms to guide their ac...