Visitors to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests near Blairsville, Georgia, have a unique opportunity to view a large collection of petroglyphs.
The sign indicating the Track Rock Archaeological Area where you can visit the petroglyphs.
What is a petroglyph?
Track Rock Information Panel
The first question a reader may have is, just what a petroglyph is. According to the National Park Service “Petroglyphs are rock carvings (rock paintings are called pictographs) made by pecking directly on the rock surface using a stone chisel and a hammerstone.”
How old are they?
Track Rock Gap is located between Thunderstruck Mountain and Buzzard Roost Ridge near the
town of Blairsville in Union County, Georgia. Here, more than 1,000 years ago, Creek and
Cherokee peoples created the soapstone carvings we now enjoy today.
Considered one of the most significant rock art sites in the Southeastern United States, Track
Rock features a diverse grouping of more than 100 figures.
What do they mean?
A legend to some of the markings found on the petroglyphs.
Archaeologists do not believe Track Rock to have had a singular purpose or to have been carved in a singular period; rather, the carvings were made over time and for differing reasons. Some of them may symbolize or commemorate a particular event that happened. Others may have to do with rituals and ceremonies. As the National Park Service states
Furthermore, the setting of Track Rock in a gap places it at a threshold. In numerous Cherokee stories, footprints and tracks signify an in-between or transitional state or condition. More specifically, rocks with footprints and tracks signified the area of transition, a doorway or threshold, into the domain of dangerous spirit beings.
Depictions of footprints and tracks are not only physical testimony that spirit beings were there some time in the past, but that they could still be lingering somewhere close-by in the present, and that they may return unexpectedly at any time in the future.
How do I visit?
You can easily visit this amazing archaeological site. There is no entry or parking fee charged.
You can reach Track Rock Gap by taking US 129 to Blairsville, then US 76 east about five
miles. At the signs for Track Rock Gap Road, turn right for about two miles to the gap. Their
location in the gap makes stopping beside the boulders very dangerous.
Drive on through the gap, noting the Track Rocks on the right, and look for the small parking lot
on your right. Park there and take the trail back to the gap, safely from traffic. The trail is not
long or strenuous but it is through a wooded area so proper footwear is suggested. The path can
be slippery depending upon weather conditions.
While not photographed at the best lighting, carvings are still visible in this rock.
The NPS suggests visiting when sunlight is at a low angle. Consider visiting either early morning or late in the day. Brighter sunlight makes viewing the petroglyphs more difficult. If you click the link below to learn more about the site there are convenient fact and description sheets available to help you navigate the site.
Remember, leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photos. Let’s make sure this sacred site is available for the next thousand years.
How can I learn more?
To learn more about the petroglyphs visit the forest service sitehere.
Learn more about the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) by visiting the National Park Service pagehere.
You can learn more on the subject by reading the account “An Archaeological and
Ethnohistorical Appraisal of a Piled Stone feature Complex in the Mountains of North Georgia”
published in the journal Early Georgia (Vol. 38, No. 1, p. 29-50) in 2010 by archaeologists
Johannes Loubser and Douglas Frink. Check with your local librarian to see if any of their
databases carry this journal.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.
Are you interested in hiking in the Chattahoochee National Forest? This map pack from National Geographic is a must have.
National Geographic’s Chattahoochee Bundle Pack combines two Trails Illustrated titles for Chattahoochee National Forest. Located just north of Atlanta, the Chattahoochee National Forest contains the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail along with an abundance of recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts of all interests. The maps’ highlights are: Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail, Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway, Cohutta, Raven Cliffs and Rich Mountain Wilderness Areas, White Rock Scenic Area, Brasstown, Ellicot Rock, Southern Nantahala, Tray Mountain, Raven Cliffs Wilderness Areas, and Chattooga Wild and Scenic River.
Click the photo or this link for more information on purchasing the map.
So, you’re on vacation with the kids and looking for something to eat. You are not looking for anything
too fancy as you have spent the full day in the sun on the beach. The kids are hungry and ready to eat.
What is the go to meal? PIZZA. New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater have numerous delicious options for
you to choose from. Whether you want sit down, pick up, or delivery we’ve got you covered.
In alphabetical order are places I have eaten and can provide insight on. Below that are listings of other
local pizza restaurants. Try them before calling one of the boring delivery chains you can have in every town in America. Support your local small business, where the dollar stays in the area.
Pizza, sandwiches, and pasta are all available on the menu. The garlic knots are a must have. Seriously,
they are the best I have had locally. Feeling brave, ask for extra garlic but be sure to have napkins ready.
This family owned restaurant opened in 2004 but the owners have a much longer record of
accomplishment in the restaurant business. Available for dine in, pick up, or delivery through Uber Eats.
There may be a wait for seating on Friday and Saturday nights. Budget friendly. Child friendly.
Baci has added an amazing shop next to their restaurant that beer and wine connoisseurs will not want to miss out on. Take a walk across the parking lot toBaci Beer & Wine Cellar.A review of their website shows some incredible options at solid prices. It appears they will seek out wines for you if they don’t have them. This looks like a great option to avoid the chain stores.
ORIGINAL POST
Wood fired pizza, sandwiches, and pasta are all on the menu. The last time we visited, there appeared to be a strong wine selection. And let’s be honest, that is important when eating Italian food.
Pizza, salads, ciabattas, and pasta are on the menu. For me, the food has been hit and miss. When they are on it is delicious and as good as you will find in the area. I have had pizza here though that was inedible due to excessive garlic. I have no qualms recommending them however. Try the Pizza Margherita or create your own.
Dine in is recommended for adults only. A wait for dine in seating is common. Pick up is available. A little more
expensive than many but this is not your average pizza place. This becomes more of an experience than
a quick meal.
Fillipo’s quality has been hit and miss for a while now. In reality, we usually avoid going because of the large price increases and inconsistency. Delivery service is spotty and we have had wrong orders delivered. It’s really too bad because they used to be the “can’t miss” pizza shop in the area.
ORIGINAL POST
My recommendation for the best take out or delivery pizza on a consistent basis. Pizza, subs, and pastas
are all on the menu. Be sure to check the specials as there are some good deals here especially if you
have a number of people to feed. Delicious New York style pizza, the cheese steak Italian sub is a go-to (we
order without the onions and ask for extra sauce).
Delivery and pick up. Be advised, they can be backed up with orders quickly so if you need dinner at a
specific time plan accordingly. Cash is preferred; see the website for details. Delivery is free within a
limited distance. Ask for details. Price friendly and the food is child friendly.
396 Flagler Avenue New Smyrna Beach—Beachside north
UPDATE 10/13/2022
Flagler Avenue Pizza Company
We were finally able to visit Flagler Avenue Pizza Company. It’s not much to look at in all honesty, but what it lacks in décor and charm are more than made up for in taste. We kept our order pretty simple, a medium pepperoni pizza, an order of pizza fries, and a couple of bottled drinks. The total was around $25.
The New York style pizza came out first, piping hot with dripping cheese and plenty of pepperoni. The fries came out a couple minutes later. The red sauce is thin, not chunky. It had a good flavor but did not overpower the pie. The crust was tasty and a bit chewy. I mean that in a good way. The medium pizza is 14″ and is cut into six pieces. With the fries we had several pieces left to take home.
They have a full menu with pizza (including a large number of specialty pizzas), pasta, sandwiches, burgers, and salads.
They offer pick up, beach side delivery, and dine in. Flagler Avenue traffic and parking can be a bit difficult at times but based upon our visit, it’s worth the effort. Recommended.
UPDATE 11/7/2022
A second visit for pick up confirms, they offer really good pizza. We ordered a pizza and a cheese steak sub for pick up. Everything was perfect. The staff was friendly. The food was hot and delicious when we go it home. After two visits I can strongly recommend them.
SEVEN PIECE PIZZA MAKING KIT: Including 1* aluminum pizza peel, 1 * nonstick pizza pan, 1* pizza pans with holes,1* pizza rocker cutter and 1* Cotton oven mitts, 1* Pie Server and 1* baking brush. All those perfect tools and accessories to transfer pizzas, bread, pastries, cakes and other baked goods to and from the oven or BBQ grill.
808 E. 3rd Avenue New Smyrna Beach—Beachside south
Mikey’s Pizza on the south causeway in New Smyrna Beach
2024 Update
We recently placed a pick up order. Upon entering, we were blasted with Fox News. If that matters to you, I suggest a pass. We’ll have to think twice before returning. Business owners can believe what they want, but when they promote it through their business, they risk offending 50% or more of their potential clientele.
Original Post
The building and parking lot don’t look like much but do not be dissuaded. The pizza more than makes up for the appearance. Our pizza was loaded with cheese and might could have used a bit more sauce but that’s not a big problem. The pizza was still quite tasty cold the next day. To me, that’s always a sign of a good pizza. The menu is very limited but they cover the basics. Prices are quite reasonable.
When you call, be sure to ask about their specials. Their sign advertises two large two topping pizzas for only $16.95. You can’t beat that price.
This restaurant is truly a family affair. In carrying on family recipes and traditions, the dough and sauce are homemade, and a special cheese blend is created to go on your pie. All meats are smoked in-house and only fresh toppings are used. Their slogan “Made with love from our family to yours” shines through in every order.
Dine in and carryout are available. I recommend carryout as the seating area is a bit small and gets full quickly. Everybody is always having a great time and it can get a bit loud so it’s not the best choice for a romantic meal. Kids are welcome but for me, this isn’t the best option for them. Prices are a bit higher here but the pizzas are worth it.
Pizzas, salads, subs, and pasta are all on the menu. I suggest starting with an order of meatballs in teriyaki sauce while your pizza is cooking.
Specialty pizzas have rock ‘n roll associated names; Simple Man, Dr. Feelgood, Whole Lotta Love, Ace of Spades, White Wedding; well you get the idea. The specialty pizzas are on the designer side so creating your own may be recommended. On the other hand, how about try the “Pizza Flight”; pick four specialty options and make a single large pizza.
Gluten free pizza is available in the personal size pie for those who need this option. You can still get all
the great specialty pies.
Wine and beer are available.
If you still have room, end the night with the Stairway to Heaven, a hot chocolate chip cookie served
with homemade vanilla ice cream. DELICIOUS!
Be sure to take a look at all things Flavortownby clicking the highlighted link. Here you will find Guy’s books, sauces, shirts, toys, novelties, and more. There’s something for everyone!
This restaurant appears to be closed! It has possibly been reopened as Perfecto Pizza NSB (see below).
ORIGINAL POST
The owners began their restaurant career in Orlando and patrons can now get hand tossed, New York
style pizza at this conveniently located beachside restaurant.
Dine in, take out, and delivery are all available. The restaurant is child friendly and prices are average.
Pizza, subs, and salads are on the menu.
Online reviews are pretty mixed and my experience was average at best. The pizza and service were nothing special and hardly worthy of a return visit. It is what I might expect at a beachside pizza place geared toward one time visitors. It has been a couple of years since I have been so it is possible things have improved.
MASTERING PIZZA: Pizza remains America’s favorite food, but one that many people hesitate to make at home. In Mastering Pizza, award-winning chef Marc Vetri tackles the topic with his trademark precision, making perfect pizza available to anyone.
This local culinary icon has been in New Smyrna Beach for more than thirty years. Pizza, pasta, subs, wings, salads and more are all on the menu. A children’s menu is available. Be sure to check the daily specials and consider the Monday and Wednesday 1/2 off plus $1 on large pizzas. It’s a great way to feed the family and save a few dollars. Dine in and take out are available.
The Greek Salad is just one of the things they are known for. This recipe can be produced vegetarian style for those who prefer that option.
While the pizzas are good, I often find myself going for the hot meatball grinder. For less than $10 you will leave full. If you want to go with pizza, I can recommend the bbq beef. Loaded with cheese, bbq sauce, sliced beef, and onions, this is a pleaser. There are plenty of specialty options or build your own. Prices are good for a family, the restaurant is child friendly, AND there is a Dairy Queen right across the street that I highly recommend.
1000 Wayne Avenue (located at the golf course) New Smyrna Beach
Born in Naples, Vittoria Tiano visited central Florida on vacation and that was all it took for him to decide
to take up residency here.
Open for lunch or dinner Tiano’s is a great option if you have just played a round of golf at the New
Smyrna Beach Golf Club. The cold beverage selection is good and you can get your lunch at the
separate bar area if you would like. Televisions with sports, mostly the golf channel are available in the bar. There is a good pizza slice and salad combo or try the chicken parmesan sandwich. Lunch prices are budget friendly.
Dinner portions are of course larger. The options are wider as well with pizza, pasta, and seafood all
available. The lasagna is a winner in my opinion. If you want pizza, there are specialty options or you can
make your own. Cauliflower crusts are available in the 10” size for those watching carbs.
For me, Tiano’s has a weird vibe. The food has always been good. Usually way above average. I guess it’s
the décor and the musical entertainment that I have issue with. It screams dated. On weekend nights,
they usually have live entertainment that when we have been consists of modified karaoke with an
older man on a Casio keyboard and some backing music belting out Barry Manilow and similar tunes. If you look around at the diners, you will understand the appeal.
My suggestion is to skip entertainment nights or order pick up. The food is worth the visit. I would not
visit with children as the ambience isn’t really meant for them. The prices are good and as I have said,
the food is good.
4198 S. Atlantic Avenue New Smyrna Beach—Beachside south
You are only a stranger at Touch of Italy once as Sal the owner will no doubt recognize you and probably
remember your favorite order. If you are beachside, this is a strong candidate for dinner. It is a bit of a
hike if you are on the mainland. Dine in and take out are available. Limited free delivery is available from
5p-9p.
Touch of Italy is open for lunch and dinner with the lunch menu being available until 4pm. The menu
offers plenty of seafood, traditional Italian fare, and delicious pizza. The chicken parmigiana is a personal
favorite. Give the square Sicilian pizza a try if you like deep dish.
This is a family restaurant and children are welcome. I am not sure I would bring kids there myself as it
can get a bit crowded. Good value pricing and you’ll leave full. One of my favorites if we feel like having dine in pizza.
634 E. 3rd Avenue (formerly home to Planet Pizza NSB)
The revolving door of pizza business names at this location continues. Perfecto Pizza has closed and the address is now home to Pizza and More.
I am unsure if this is really a new restaurant or just a rebranding of Planet Pizza NSB and Perfecto Pizza NSB. The similarity of the names gives me pause to be honest. The website is completely generic and provides no insight into the local restaurant. I have to say this impression is not making me rush to order.
I hope this post has helped you to find the best pizza in New Smyrna Beach for your family. Do you know of a pizza restaurant that is not included or is there more information I should include? Please let me know and I will update the post. Please feel free to drop reviews in the comments. As long as the review appears to be honest and respectful (even if you didn’t like the food) I will let them show.
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I did not receive complimentary food in return for any restaurant being listed in this post.
Do you want to pair up a delicious wine with your pizza? Be sure to get your subscription to Wine Enthusiast and learn all you need to know to pair wines and foods and be the hit of your party.
Click the link or the cover image to subscribe at exclusive discount prices.
I have just received the new issue of The Florida Preservationist. If you are a member of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation be on the lookout for it. If you are not a member, why not.
There are several interesting articles this quarter including an update on renovation work being done at the Lummus Park Cottage in Miami. If you are interested in the Seminole Wars you will want to read the article Billy Bowlegs and the Cow Cavalry: The Fogotten History of the Fort in Fort Meyers.
There are plenty of lighthouse aficionados out there and the article Reef Lights of the Florida Keys: Masterpieces of Victorian Architecture is for them. The settlement of Cosmo, located in Jacksonville receives a short write up before the issue ends with the article Tactical Preservation: Wood Rot in Historic Buildings.
This is not a scholarly journal; the articles are very short and not footnoted. The brief articles are interesting to read and appropriate for entry-level preservationists. I look at this as just a benefit for being a member of the organization.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.
The University Press of Florida has released their Fall 2021 catalog and there are some titles that history
enthusiasts should take note of. I have not posted all the interesting titles, allowing you to make
discoveries on your own. This cycle is heavy on archaeology. As always with academic press books, the
hardcover prices can be quite steep. Watch their website for promotions and check Amazon and others
for price discounts.
Showcasing over 450 unpublished and lesser-known images, this book traces the growth of the Space Shuttle from 1965 to 1982, from initial concept through its first four space flights. The photographs offer windows into designing the first reusable space vehicle as well as the construction and testing of the prototype shuttle Enterprise. They also show the factory assembly and delivery of the Space Shuttle Columbia, preparations at the major NASA field centers, and astronaut selection and training. Finally, the book devotes a chapter to each of the first four orbital missions, STS-1 through STS-4, providing an abundance of seldom-seen photos for each flight.
Excavated from a waterlogged archaeological site on the shores of subtropical Florida by legendary anthropologist Frank Hamilton Cushing in 1896, the Key Marco Cat has become a modern icon of heritage, history, and local identity. This book takes readers into the deep past of the artifact and the Native American society in which it was created.
This volume presents new data and interpretations from research at Florida’s Spanish missions, outposts established in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to strengthen the colonizing empire and convert Indigenous groups to Christianity. In these chapters, archaeologists, historians, and ethnomusicologists draw on the past thirty years of work at sites from St. Augustine to the panhandle.
Highlighting the long unacknowledged role of a group of pioneering professional women, The Public Health Nurses of Jim Crow Florida tells the story of healthcare workers who battled racism in a state where white supremacy formed the bedrock of society. They aimed to serve those people out of reach of modern medical care.
Queering the Redneck Riviera recovers the forgotten and erased history of gay men and lesbians in North Florida, a region often overlooked in the story of the LGBTQ experience in the United States. Jerry Watkins reveals both the challenges these men and women faced in the years following World War II and the essential role they played in making the Emerald Coast a major tourist destination.
Fort St. Joseph Revealed is the first synthesis of archaeological and documentary data on one of the most important French colonial outposts in the western Great Lakes region. Located in what is now Michigan, Fort St. Joseph was home to a flourishing fur trade society from the 1680s to 1781. Material evidence of the site—lost for centuries—was discovered in 1998 by volume editor Michael Nassaney and his colleagues, who summarize their extensive excavations at the fort and surrounding areas in these essays.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.
I picked this book up at the recommendation of my social media friend Stephanie Stuckey. If you are not familiar with the Stuckey’s story, I recommend following their brand on Twitter.
Stephanie is doing amazing things toward bringing this American standard back to life.
Well, anyway, I thought this would just be a fun read and had no real intention of reviewing it.
By the time I was ten pages in, I realized I was on to something more than a casual read and I grabbed my notebook in order to make notes and take down page numbers.
In a book that is equal parts memoir, history, sociology, humor, and travel writing, author
Richard Ratay tackles the quintessential American vacation; the “road trip.” Immortalized in one
of my all-time favorite movies, National Lampoon’s Vacation, the road trip is that much looked forward to vacation
while also being that dreaded cooped up with the family in a car for long hours event. Ratay uses
this event to display family love and strife while highlighting changes in American life. Has
progress really been that great or have we lost something along the way that may never be
recovered?
While not being a history book per se, readers will learn about New Deal construction projects
and the blueprint for the 1956 passage of the Federal-Aid Highway Act,which helped create
more than 41,000 miles of interstate highways.
The end of World War II led to a boom in travel fueled by an increase in disposable income, the
accrual and usage of vacation time, returning soldiers who were bitten by the travel bug, an
increased birthrate, and finally, an increase in personal automobile ownership.
This travel boom fueled developments such as the rise of the gas station, increased attendance at
national parks, and the creation of large-scale destination amusement parks leading to the decline
of the old-fashioned roadside attraction.
Readers take a veritable walk down memory lane throughout as Mr. Ratay recounts family trips
and things we all probably remember. I can distinctly remember two memories that the author
recalls in the text. The first being the idea of “making time.” This is described as “progressing
toward the day’s destination as quickly as we could.” The other is his father not wanting to stop
for gas until the last possible minute, as this would slow down our “making time.” I can
remember these times vividly as well.
Throughout, the book is filled with forgotten memories of things such as cb radios, fuzz busters,
billboard ads, playing family games on the road, budgeting candy and souvenir money, Howard
Johnson’s, arcades at hotels with games such as Space Invaders, 8-track tape players, wood
paneled station wagons, the rise of the mini-van, and I am sure you will find many more.
For me, I did not feel the editorializing about the failure of the 55 mile per hour speed limit to
either save gas or save lives really needed inclusion. It seems out of place and not something that
furthers the story. However, the author does show how his family turned the low speed limit into
a game by having the family be on high alert for law enforcement in order to avoid a potentially
costly and time wasting ticket. There is nothing worse when you are trying to “make time” than
having to explain to an officer why you were driving 20 miles per hour over the speed limit.
TheAirline Deregulation Act of 1978 is seen as the beginning of the end of the road trip as
Americans knew it. Ratay frames this Act as democratizing air travel, bringing flight prices
within the grasp of the average American. In addition to lower fares, new routes opened up
allowing travelers to either arrive at, or near, their final destination hours, or in some cases days,
before they could while driving. “Making time” took on a completely new meaning.
However, in our haste to arrive at our destination in a timelier manner did we lose something
along the way? Instant gratification became more engrained in our lives. The focus became the
destination and the journey was no longer important. As the author points out, we now miss the
“curious sights and amazing views, the unexpected delights and unanticipated dangers, the
colorful characters and unforgettable people who could only be encountered when travelling the
highways of America.”
This, I feel, is the most important idea you will take from this book. I can’t recommend this book
highly enough.
Click the image to support this site through Buy Me A Coffee. Your support pays for web services, research trips, photocopies, and photo usage fees. You may even be buying an actual cup or bag of coffee!
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Tiqets has brought millions of people to museums and attractions around the world with their instant and intuitive mobile booking technology. Every day, Tiqets works with thousands of renowned museums, thrilling attractions, and hidden gems to offer unforgettable travel experiences.
The Medal of Honor has been accredited to Florida only 23 times. Image courtesy US Department of Defense
The Medal of Honor is the highest award for military valor in action. In over 150 years, the Medal has been awarded just over 3,500 times. When originally issued during the Civil War the Medal did not have the same level of stature that it does today. In fact, over 1,500 Medals were awarded during the Civil War alone. When one considers the millions of men and women who have worn military uniforms, it is easy to see the special actions it takes to receive this award.
The official name is the Medal of Honor. Because Congress created the award, it is sometimes mistakenly called the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society, chartered by Congress and thus the name, has an explanation of this misnomer.
States receive accreditation for awards based upon the state where a soldier enlists. The state of Florida is accredited with twenty-three Medal of Honor recipients. As I write brief biographies of these men, they will show as linked below allowing you read about them and the actions that garnered them such acclaim.
Charles Albert Varnum Captain Army Indian Wars
Clarence M. Condon Sergeant Army Philippine War
Francis Edward Ormsbee, Jr. Chief Machinist’s Mate Navy World War I
William Merrill Corry, Jr. Lieutenant Commander Navy World War I
Alexander R. Nininger, Jr. Second Lieutenant Army World War II
James Henry Mills Private Army World War II
David McCampbell Commander Navy World War II
Robert Edward Femoyer Second Lieutenant Air Corps World War II
Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. Major Air Corps World War II
Robert M. McTureious, Jr. Private Marine Corps World War II
Baldomero Lopez First Lieutenant Marine Corps Korean War
Emory L. Bennett Private First Class Army Korean War
Larry Eugene Smedley Corporal Marine Corps Vietnam War
Clifford Chester Sims Staff Sergeant Army Vietnam War
Nicholas J. Cutinha Specialist 4th Class Army Vietnam War
Clyde Everett Lassen Lieutenant Junior Grade Navy Vietnam War
Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. Private First Class Marine Corps Vietnam War
Hammett L. Bowen, Jr. Staff Sergeant Army Vietnam War
Bruce Wayne Carter Private First Class Army Vietnam War
Ardie R. Copas Sergeant Army Vietnam War
Paul R. Smith Sergeant First Class Army Iraq
Robert J. Miller Staff Sergeant Army Afghanistan
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.
The front side of the Lake Monroe Bridge in Sanford, Florida Historic MarkerThe backside of the Lake Monroe historic markerThe old Lake Monroe Bridge with the historic marker showing in front.
Marker Text
The Lake Monroe Bridge was the first electronically operated swing bridge in Florida. In 1932-1933, the
state used Federal assistance to build the bridge, which replaced a wooden toll bridge that was manually
operated. The construction of the bridge provided economic relief for an area hurt by the economic
collapse of the Depression era. The bridge was fabricated by Ingalls Iron Works of Birmingham, Alabama;
the swing machinery manufactured by Earl’s Gears and Machine Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and it
was erected by W. W. White Steel Construction of St. Petersburg, Florida. Kreis Contracting Company of
Knoxville, Tennessee was the general contractor for the Florida Department of Transportation. The
Florida Department of Transportation and Seminole County cooperated in preserving the swing span as
a fishing pier when the new Benedict Bridge was completed in 1994.
The Lake Monroe Bridge had historic impact on the communities of the area, but also is of historical
value as an example of a branch of bridge engineering.
The Lake Monroe Bridge was 627 feet, and included a 235 foot swing span. It carried the main route
linking Daytona Beach and Tampa, via DeLand, Sanford, Orlando, and Lakeland. It could pivot 360
degrees on its curved rack and two spur pinions.
The Warren-type through truss construction had a central panel section peaked to accommodate the
drive machinery. The Warren-type truss is considered the most economical type of construction for
continuous spans. It is characterized by diagonals that alternate in direction. The first diagonal beam
starts at base level and goes up to the top. The next level diagonal starts at the top and goes down to
the base level. The diagonals are in tension and compression in alternate panels. To meet the heavy
stresses of the swing span operation the bridge arms were heavily reinforced and had riveted
connections at all stress points. The harbor for Lake Monroe Park in Volusia County was created by fill
taken from the approaches to the Lake Monroe Bridge.
Seminole County Board of County Commissioners
This marker is not part of the State of Florida historic marker program.
The April 6, 1934 Lake Monroe Bridge dedication. Image courtesy Florida Memory n028431
Local newspaper reports state that dedication of the $75,000 Bridge took place at a 3 p.m. ceremony on
April 6, 1934. Participants included Florida Governor David Sholtz and the Stetson University band. An image of the dedication is shown above.
See some beautiful early images of Sanford, FL in this title from the Images ofAmerica Series. From its days as a leading river town, to being the Celery Capital, to being the home to many incredible mid-century modern homes, Sanford has an incredible history.
Also recommended is African Americans of Sanford, which recognizes and applauds those who have helped to preserve Sanford’s history as well as those who have participated in making it.
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Rivertown Brick Mural. Image courtesy City of DeLand
I have often said that art is all around us we just need to look for it. That is certainly true when it comes to the 3D work Rivertown Brick Mural. Gracing the south entrance to DeLand City Hall, this work is so well matched to the color and design of the building itself that visitors can be forgiven for not noticing it in their haste to pay a utility bill or handle other business.
Rivertown Brick Mural is the creation of artists Dr. John Wilton,John Wolfe, and Harry Messersmith; all artists well known in the Florida art scene. The work shows a family along the banks of the St. Johns River using color, depth, and texture to create the scene.
Installation of the work occurred in 2007 as a part of the 125th anniversary of the City of DeLand. The piece was presented in memory of former mayor Earl W. Brown.
DeLand City Hall is located at 120 S. Florida Avenue. Free parking is available on site.
Please see a video of this installation by clicking here.
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The Robert A. Taft Memorial and Carillon located in Washington D.C.
Senator Robert A. Taft, the son of President and Supreme Court Chief Justice William Howard Taft, served the residents of Ohio in the United States Senate from 1939 until his death in 1953. Taft was a staunch conservative, helping bring together Republicans and conservative Democrats in a bid to prevent expansion of President Roosevelt’s New Deal initiatives.
One of Taft’s lasting legacies is the sponsorship of the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947, which ultimately led to the creation of the misnamed “right to work” policies that have ultimately been pro-business and anti-labor.
In multiple elections Taft sought the Republican nomination for the presidency only to be defeated each time by the likes of Dwight Eisenhower, Wendell Wilkie, and Thomas Dewey.
On April 14, 1959 more than 5,000 people attended a dedication ceremony for the Taft Memorial on Constitution Avenue between New Jersey Avenue and First Street, N.W., only a block from the Capitol Building. The memorial was originally authorized in 1955 and was created by artist Douglas W. Orr. It features a fifteen foot base with a ten foot tall statue of Taft, sculpted by Wheeler Williams, that is topped with a 100-foot bell tower created out of Tennessee marble.
Inscribed in the marble above the Taft sculpture are the words, “This Memorial to Robert A. Taft presented by the people to the Congress of the United States stands as a tribute to the honesty, indomitable courage,, and high principles of free government symbolized by his life.” Speeches at the dedication were made by President Eisenhower, former President Herbert Hoover, and Richard Nixon.
According to the Architect of the Capitol, “The 27 bells in the upper part of the tower are among the
finest in the world and were cast in the Paccard Bell Foundry in Annecy, France. The largest, or
bourdon bell, weighs 7 tons. The bells are well matched and produce rich, resonant tones.” The bells
are struck on the hour and sound on the quarter hour. The bells are set to ring automatically but can
be played manually as well.
To learn more about Senator Robert A. Taft, you may wish to find this book:
Robert A. Taft has been neglected by some historians and political theorists and vilified by others. Vigorously and impartially written, this book analyzes the ideas and influence of a great U.S. senator of the twentieth century. Here readers will find a close and lively examination of Taft’s convictions on freedom, justice, labor policy, social reform, foreign affairs, and the responsibilities of political parties.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.
