Floridiana Magazine

History. Heritage. Home.

Florida Eats: Farmer’s Market Restaurant, Webster, FL (CLOSED)

“Florida home cooking” conjures up an image of a Sunday afternoon meal.  Fried chicken or meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, creamy macaroni and cheese.  Add to that a variety of vegetables and greens, cornbread or biscuit and a tall glass of sweet tea. Then top it all off with a homemade dessert.

Brings back memories, doesn’t it?

Where can you find such a feast without having to don an apron and dust off the cookbook?  The Farmer’s Market Restaurant in Webster, Florida of course.

Farmer’s Market Restaurant Webster, Florida

The Ambiance

The restaurant sits in the middle of the Webster Farmer’s Market on Highway 471 and is open seven days a week.  Wooden rockers on the front porch reach out and welcome you to the restaurant.  Diners use it as a gathering place – whether they are waiting for someone to join them or relaxing after their home cooked meal.

This is a no-frills restaurant. A variety of kitchen gadgets adorn the walls. Shelves along the top of the walls hold plates and cups. A mixture of booths and tables provide seating in the dining area.

A second dining room has been added since our first visit a year ago. One of the waitresses says the room was needed to accommodate the large number of diners, especially on Mondays when thousands of people converge on the Webster Flea Market.

Second Dining Area

Home Cooking

After seating yourself, the waitstaff is quick to take your drink order and direct you to the buffet or offer a menu. The buffet appears to be the more popular choice and, whether you are there for breakfast, lunch or dinner, provides enough culinary options to satisfy anyone’s cravings. And the best part is you can fill your plate and go back for seconds. From one end of the buffet to the other, it’s a diner’s dream. Oh, and the desserts?  One word: scrumptious!

Small town restaurants serve up more than just food – they offer hospitality with a touch of home. The Farmer’s Market Restaurant is no different.  It is a place to sit down for a meal and hear the locals around you talking about their week or asking about each other’s families.  It’s a place where you can enjoy a meal without being rushed to make room for the next customer.

Hours of Operation

The Farmer’s Market Restaurant is open Monday – Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

How to Get There

If you’re ever in the area, stop by for a bite to eat or make a special trip.  If you’re traveling on Interstate 75, get off at exit 309 (County Road 673) and drive west about 10 minutes.

Whatever your reason for visiting, you can count on home cooking the way your mother used to make it.

Punta Gorda: Murals and More in This Small Florida Town

Punta Gorda – It’s Happening on the Harbor – a motto that doesn’t disappoint.  Having grown up only an hour away I was surprised at all this city offered.  Situated along the shores where the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor meet, Punta Gorda provides an eclectic mix of things to see and do: a relaxing waterfront, historic buildings, educational mural walk and a variety of shops and restaurants.

A Brief History of Punta Gorda

The name Punta Gorda was given to the area by Spanish fishermen from Cuba in the early 1800s. It changed to Trabue after Col. Isaac Trabue, from Kentucky, bought the land sight unseen in the early 1880s and had it platted as Trabue.

The name did not stick, however, and in 1887, a group of individuals, including the original surveyor, signed a notice of intent to incorporate Trabue into Punta Gorda.  Although the town changed names, the impact Trabue had on its development did not.  Trabue is credited with bringing the Florida Southern Railroad to town and to stimulating early growth.

The Murals of Punta Gorda

There is much to be read about the history of Punta Gorda, but there is another fun way to learn about this city – through its murals.  The Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society was created in 1994 and is a part of the Florida Mural Trail.  Currently, there are 29 murals already completed, with the 30th in the works.  Print out a guide or pick one up at the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce and enjoy a day enjoying history through art.

The first stop on the trail, End of the Line, located on the Copperfish Books building, plays homage to town founder Isaac Trabue and railroad pioneer Henry Plant.  Both men can be seen on one of two murals at this location, along with products that were once shipped from the area.  A second mural on the south side of the building features steam locomotive Number 11 as it is pulling into town.

Watch the short clip of the mural here. 

From the city’s founding to Punta Gorda’s first fire station, each of the murals has its own story to tell. A tour of the murals reveals the history of banking, life along the Harbor, the natural beauty of the area, as well as individuals who have left lasting impressions on this city.

Fishing Tales
First City Council
Building a Community
Harbor Life, Then and Now
Classics of the Past
Cattle Drive Down Marion Avenue
Local Black History
Conquistadors
The Churches of Sacred Heart
Hotel Punta Gorda and Hotel Charlotte Harbor
Our First Firehouse

Walk or bike, the murals are a sight to behold and linking to the past is easy through the interactive tour.  Make sure to have a QR code reader on your smartphone to scan the bar codes found next to the plaques for each of the murals. When scanned, you are taken to the Mural Society’s website for an instant description of what you are seeing.

Mural Society Tours and Classes

Although we were able to walk or drive to most of the murals, the Mural Society offers private tours for small groups of 10 – 20 participants.  They also offer “History of Punta Gorda in its Murals” classes where you can learn about the city’s history through a look at each of the murals, without even leaving your seat.  The classes last about two and a half hours and are taught throughout the year, but registration is required.  Call (941) 505-0130 for more information on the upcoming classes and to reserve your seat.

Other Things to See and Do in Punta Gorda

Besides the murals, there are plenty of other things to see and do in Punta Gorda. A walk along the waterfront is definitely a must.  It is part of the city’s Harborwalk, a stretch of a about two and a half  miles along Charlotte Harbor that takes you through Laishley Park and Gilchrist Park.

At Laishley Park you get a spectacular view of the Harbor bridges, not to mention a chance to indulge in ice cream at Harborwalk Scoops & Bites – which bills itself as “Ice Cream with a View.”

Another place to visit is Fisherman’s Village, a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. Stop in one of the shops at the village, have a bite to eat or quench your thirst at one of the restaurants, take a stroll by the marina, or stop to have your picture taken at one of the ready-made photo backdrops.

Other sites of interest:

 “Calostimucu” the Whispering Giant – a carving by Peter “Wolf” Toth, depicting the first people to inhabit the area. Dedicated in 2006, this towering piece of art also contains a time capsule in its base. The carving is located next to the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce and Punta Gorda Historical Society which are located in the A.C. Freeman House.

Historic Downtown: Walking through historic downtown, it is easy to come across historic plaques and markers about important people and places.  These signs provide more insight into the early history of Punta Gorda.

Punta Gorda Railroad Depot and Antique Mall: The railroad played an integral role in the history of Punta Gorda beginning in the late 1880s. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the depot was built in 1928 and was the southernmost train station at the time in the United States and was used mainly for shipping fish to markets to the north, even though it also carried passengers. After the depot closed, it was bought and donated to Old Punta Gorda, Inc., then restored and reopened as a museum and antique mall.  Although the building bears the original signs for the segregated waiting rooms, the museum has incorporated those into its exhibits showcasing early pioneers.

Punta Gorda has turned itself into a destination you don’t want to miss.  Its history has been preserved, and its present and future have been embraced.  Spend a day. Spend a weekend. For a city that bills itself as “Happening on the Harbor” Punta Gorda definitely delivers.

Related Stories:

Town of Murals: Lake Placid, Florida

 

Places to See in Palatka

Once known as the “Gem of the St. Johns,” Palatka is located in northeast Florida, east of Gainesville and south of Jacksonville.  Even though I lived and worked in Gainesville for several years, I never experienced Palatka as a visitor.  But recently I had a chance to visit twice – and each time saw something different than before.  Palatka is full of history, culture and fun.

The name Palatka comes from the Timucuan Indian word Pilotakata which means “crossing.”  Palatka was once a prosperous town with world-class hotels and was known for its timber and citrus, as well as its natural beauty.  But in 1884 a fire in downtown destroyed many of the town’s fine hotels. Then in 1894 and 1895, freezes devastated the citrus industry.  What was once a booming town, saw a sharp decline in visitors and industry.

Palatka’s Historic District

Palatka is home to not one, but two historic districts, the North Historic District and the South Historic District.  The North District is composed of 350 acres and 76 buildings with boundaries including the St. Johns River, Bronson Street, North First, North Fifth and Main Street.  The South District is bounded by the St. Johns River, Oak, South 9th, and Morris Streets.

St. Marks Episcopal Church (circa 1846), Palatka

One of the more famous houses in the district is the Bronson-Mulholland House, built around 1853 for Isaac Bronson, who proposed the legislation for Florida to become a state. A long and storied history, plus the city’s intent to demolish it after purchasing the property in 1965, have brought the house full circle.  It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and is now open to the public for tours.

Ravine Gardens State Park

When you are done strolling down the brick streets of the historic districts, take a drive out to the Ravine Gardens State Park.  It is one of nine New Deal-era parks in Florida and is also included on the National Register of Historic Places.  It was created in 1933 by the Works Progress Administration and Federal Emergency Relief Administration in an effort to help Palatka recover from the Great Depression.

Today you can walk or drive along the nearly two-mile road around the park and get a glimpse of the two ravines. The ravines are up to 120 feet deep and have steep banks with springs that flow into the St. Johns River. Because the ravines are considered active, there is a chance of them getting wider and deeper.

There is more to the park than just the ravine. A formal garden, an amphitheater and reflecting pool also provide visitors with intriguing views.  The Court of States sits just inside the entrance and displays 48 of the 50 state flags – leaving out Alaska and Hawaii because they were not states when the Court was built.  An obelisk dedicated to President Franklin D. Roosevelt can also be viewed in the Court of States.

A few notes about the park:

  • The best time to see the flowers in bloom is from January to March, during the peak flowering period.
  • The main park drive is open to vehicles beginning at 8:00 in the morning and closes an hour before sunset.
  • There is a minimal entrance fee to the park. If the ranger station isn’t staffed, make sure to use the honor box to pay.
  • The park is open 365 days a year, including all holidays.

City of Murals

To learn even more about the history of Palatka, print out a map and tour the city’s murals.  Part of the Florida Mural Trail, the Conlee-Snyder Murals are larger than life renderings of the history, culture and natural riches of Palatka and Putnam County.  Mural efforts began in 1998 and now include more than 20 artistic representations, including the Battle at Horse Landing, Putnam County Wildflowers, Senator B.C. Pearce Agricultural Mural and Cattle Drive to Payne’s Prairie. The mural To God be the Glory depicts the story of Billy Graham, from his baptism in Putnam County to his first pulpit at the Peniel Baptist Church.

Battle at Horse Landing

Putnam County Wildflowers

Senator B.C. Pearce Agricultural Mural

Cattle Drive to Payne’s Prairie

To God be the Glory

There are also additional murals painted by local students and artists not sponsored by the Mural Committee.

Riverside

The St. Johns River has played a big role in Palatka’s history with steamboats plying areas south of Palatka.  In its heyday, Palatka was known as the gateway to the interior of Florida.  The river is still one of the most picturesque locations in Palatka today.  A clock tower stands tall at the edge of the riverside park.  Placards provide information about the river or the history of the Doughboys. It is worth a stop to walk out onto the docks and view the boats anchored offshore or watch the personal watercraft riding the river.

But from August through October, the docks take on a whole new look.  This part of the St. Johns River is a popular spot for shrimpers, all vying for that perfect spot to cast their nets.  Nets are rolled and prepped, then thrown with precision into the water, some nets creating perfect circles as they hit the surface.  They are then hauled back in to check for shrimp, then rolled and cast all over again.

Eateries and Places to Drink in Palatka

No trip is complete to a Florida town or city without looking for some of the area’s favorite foods.  Palatka lays claim to the state’s oldest diner – Angel’s.  Set up in an old train dining car, Angel’s has been serving its customers since 1932 – and it still offers curb service.

Angel’s is a favorite of regulars and visitors alike. Cooks are busy keeping up with the orders.  Menu highlights include the Puscalow – a chocolate frosty drink that tastes a lot like a Yoohoo, and the Black Bottom – scrambled eggs, bacon and ground beef on a bun.

Puscalow

Black Bottom

While you’re in Palatka, head on over to Uncork & Unwind on South 2nd Street for a drink and a little relaxation.  This modern establishment offers a wide variety of craft beer and wine. In fact, there are about four pages of drinks to choose from.  Not sure what to order? The owner/bartender is extremely knowledgeable and can recommend the perfect drink.  This hidden gem is a great place to end the day!

If you plan a trip to Palatka, plan for a whole day to see all the sights – from the historic districts to the riverfront to Ravine Gardens. Get out and learn a little more about another of Florida’s old towns.

#FloridaStrong: After Irma

Now that life is back to a “new normal” following Hurricane Irma, I can take a deep breath and reflect on weathering the storm.  To be honest, everything is still a blur, from the moment I picked up my mom and drove northwest to Tallahassee and then to Georgia, to the day we finally drove back across the Florida state line.  Hurricane Irma proved to be an unpredictable storm with spaghetti models having its track anywhere from the east coast of Florida, up the center of the state, or veering into the Gulf.

It was the storm that kept us glued to our televisions or weather radios or social media. We prayed for the storm to dissipate and texted family and friends.

Fear.  Anxiety. They held a tight grip on many Floridians as Irma pummeled her way across the Sunshine State.

Out of the Storm

When dawn broke, the damage was crushing, the flooding was unfathomable and the power outages overwhelming.  When all was said and done, 98% of the state experienced at least tropical storm force winds. The fear that had held us tight turned into shock after the storm.

Flooding from nearby Peace River, Hardee County

Debris littered our yards and our neighborhoods.  Rising waters from nearby rivers flooded our homes and caused road closures.  The absence of power left spoiled food in our refrigerators and grated on our nerves.  Schools were closed.  Store shelves were bare.

Hardee County

Hardee County

Hardee County

Orange County

Outside of our neighborhoods, many of the places I have visited for the blog were closed because of their own damage or debris.  Lakes and rivers that would be brimming with activity have been closed to boating or swimming because of possible dangers or bacteria.

Irma caused substantial damage and disruption, but she did not break our spirit.  Out of the devastation emerged proof of the real Florida: resilient and compassionate.  Neighbors helping neighbors.  Communities helping communities.  Other states pitching in to help.  Even offers of help from other countries.

Social media became a focal point of the good going in this great state.  It revealed communities adopting linemen from other states.  Washing their clothes.  Providing them with snacks and necessities while they are away from their own families.

Facebook post: helping linemen from Oklahoma

It showed statewide efforts of church groups providing clean up after the storm – from the Keys to the panhandle.

City Church Tallahassee cleaning up after the storm

The results of City Church Tallahassee cleanup efforts

Florida will take some time to fully recover from Irma.  Debris cleanup alone will take months to complete.  Power poles have to be replaced.  Repairs to roofs and other structures require insurance adjustments, estimates and permits and time to complete.

And while we have suffered frustration and hurricane fatigue, our resolve as a state will continue to shine.

We are Florida.

We are #FloridaStrong.

Homeland Heritage Park

As housing developments and retail spaces continue to pop up around the state, more and more of old Florida is disappearing under the guise of progress.  Fortunately, some communities are preserving parts of their past.

Just outside of Bartow, in the small community of Homeland, sits the only historical park in Polk County. Homeland Heritage Park is a five-acre park with original buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s.  Most of them were donated to the county and moved to the park for visitors to see for years to come.

Homeland School

The Homeland School (once known as Bethel Academy) is the oldest surviving school in the county (built in 1878) and sits in its original location.  Although the original building was only one room, a growing student population necessitated the addition of another room in 1888.

A peek inside the windows reveals a typical classroom of the time period – a teacher’s desk, old wooden chairs, long tables, a chalkboard and pianos.  It was in this room that students were taught lessons in reading, writing, arithmetic and manners.  More than 75 students once attended the Homeland School, until its closure in 1956.

In 1985, the school and property were donated to the Polk County Board of County Commissioners and in 2007 was placed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

Homeland Methodist Church

During the 1800s, churches served as more than just places for religious services.  They were also the cornerstone of the community and served as the place for social gatherings. In the Homeland community, the Methodist Church was one of those places.


Originally known as Bethel Methodist Church, it dates back to 1878 and was said to be a simple wooden structure that did not have any lights or windows. That old building was replaced by the Homeland Methodist Church in 1887.

One of the features that stands out when looking at this church is the towering steeple.  The original steeple was destroyed by a hurricane in 1946, and was replaced by one made of aluminum.

Another striking feature is the stain glass windows, uncommon for a country church.  Looking through the windows, you can see their brilliant colors shining into the sanctuary.

The church was donated in 1986 and was moved from just off the park property to its current location.

Pole Barn

While the church was the heart of the community, the pole barn was the center of daily life. This outbuilding was the hub of work on the farm.  It was used to store farming equipment and served as shelter for farm animals.

A walk around the barn provides a glimpse into the strenuous daily work.  Farm equipment and an old carriage on display inside the barn are a far cry from the mechanized equipment used today.

Homeland Houses

Visitors to the Homeland Heritage Park can get a glimpse of two different styles of living in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  One of the homes on display is a single-pen log cabin, a single room cabin with a door and a few windows. It was built by Cornelius and James “Jackson” English in 1888 and used as a family residence until the early 1900s.

The wrap around porch was an important part of the cabin and was often the location where daily chores were done.  Sometimes families even slept outside on the porch because it was cooler than inside. The cabin was used by the English family until 1989, when it was donated to the Homeland Heritage Park.

A second residence on park property represented the more affluent pioneers.  The Raulerson House, built in 1900, originally sat at what is now the intersection of County Line Road and Interstate 4 on the west side of Lakeland. It never had running water or indoor plumbing.  The story on the sign at the park says the Raulerson family and the five children lived downstairs in the house, while their grove foreman and his family lived on the second floor.

The Raulersons lived in the house until 1912 and it remained in the family until 1987, when it was donated and moved to the Homeland Heritage Park.

Other Buildings and Park Features

 Two other buildings at the Homeland Heritage Park serve as the park office and the park annex building.  Both were original buildings from the Methodist Church.

A garden, an old cemetery and an outhouse are also part of the exhibit.

What is unique about this park is that the buildings on display are all original buildings once used or lived in within the county. Rather than tearing them down to make room for newer structures, they were donated to the county by their owners and moved to this location.  Homeland Heritage Park is an example other communities could follow to preserve their own history.

Floridiana Magazine (FM) Notes:

The park is open every day to allow visitors the opportunity to take a step back in time and walk through an early community.  You cannot go inside the buildings unless you call to schedule a tour.  The office is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.