Welcome to Floridiana Magazine. A dream come true for me. An opportunity for you to fall in love for the first time, or all over again, with the beautiful Sunshine State. Let me first say I was not born in Florida. I was actually born in Ketchikan, Alaska, but since my Dad was in the military, we moved regularly. My Dad was a Florida native, having been born in the little town of what was once Slater, Florida in North Ft. Myers. His parents were also born in Florida, and his grandparents and great grandparents before that. With roots that go back to the early 1800’s, I proudly claim Florida as my home. It was through my Mom and Dad’s love for family history that I, too, developed a love for the history of Florida. The old Florida. Before the traffic. Before subdivisions dotted every intersection. A time when a drive north on U.S. 27 meant miles and miles of orange groves on each side. A time when life was a little simpler.
Where did the name for the website come from? I knew I wanted to put together a site that served as the voice of Florida – past and present. Many of the names I came up with (that I thought were clever, I might add) were actually already taken. I was looking for a name that would encompass all of Florida – from its history to its people. The name Floridiana stuck out in my mind. Webster defines it as “material (as documents, anecdotes, or artifacts) distinctively bearing on or characteristic of Florida or its people or culture.” Wikipedia says “Floridiana is a term referring to artifacts and collections of artifacts relating to the state of Florida in the United States of America, especially those artifacts pertaining to Floridian history, geography, folklore, and cultural heritage.”
My vision for this site is to put a spotlight on some of the unique things about the Sunshine State that many people may not know or may have forgotten. We will visit places off the beaten path, take a look at the history of some of the smaller towns, learn a little more about some of the unique individuals that make up our state. We’ll take a look back in time through old photos and we’ll travel through some of the untouched lands that are still a part of the “old” Florida.
Thank you for your interest in Floridiana Magazine. Thank you for joining me on this journey.
