Time Passages

President Cleveland's 1888 visit to Central Florida

2026-06-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

It was election year in 1888 and President Grover Cleveland made a visit to the Land of Flowers ,the great state of Florida. It was a full itinerary that included visits to Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Palataka, Titusville, Cocoa and finally Sanford and Winter Park,

President Grover Cleveland, the First Lady, and entourage's trip to Florida continued from St. Augustine with a train trip to Titusville, Florida with a brief stop in Palatka. As typical with their other whistlestop's, huge crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the Executive General. At the Titusville Wharf, the President's party boarded a paddleboat, called Rockledge.

Going south on the Indian River the Rockledge Steamer docked at the wharf of the citrus grower, Mr. G. Hardee, at 11:30 am in Rock Ledge. Under the shade of several live oaks, in front of Mr. Hardee's residence, a reception was feted. A large number local officials, of this Indian River area, had the opportunity to shake hands with the President. The people were enthusiastic and warmly welcomed the party into the beautiful grounds of Mr. Gardner Hardee's estate and into his magnificent orange grove. Mrs. Cleveland pitched the first orange from the laden branches, which was followed in suit by other members of the party.

Mr. Hardee selected one of the finest oranges in the grove and peeled it in the Ole Florida style, for the President. Since the President was extremely pleased with that one, he announced that this one variety orange would be known as "The Cleveland Orange". A reception was held at the Indian River Hotel and is memorialized in a photograph of the President, entourage and local citizenry.

The New York Times reported that the First Lady Mrs. Cleveland was greatly amused at some of the strange watercraft that came up the dock. A local fisherman presented a huge channel bass to the President and he made the donor happy by saying, "I don't believe I could pull that fellow in myself. "The entire party were reported to be in the most congenial spirits and spoke highly of their delightful trip.

The President and his entourage departed Rock Ledge at 2:45 pm by paddleboat, back to Titusville where they were welcomed by a large crowd. Waving to the crowd and making handshakes the Presidential boarded their train and steamed off to their next whistle-stop, Sanford.

Footnotes:

1) Click the Sanford link above to continue the story.

2) The city of Rockledge back in 1888 was spelt as two words.

Sources:

For more on this story visit Google Books for free Ebook Review

Library of Congress Archives at Florida State University

Florida Star newspaper March 1, 1888.

Indian Burial Mound with 96 Skeletons; Geocache marks the spot.

2025-10-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

Many years ago in Cape Canaveral, a mass grave of 96 skeletons was found. A strange arrangement as the skeletons were arranged as spokes in a wheel with their heads pointed towards the apex of the mound. Among the skeletons discovered were interesting artifacts including a crystal necklace.

Such were the findings of a 1933-34 archeological expedition to the Cape Canaveral and Indian River areas. A Dr. George Woodbury under the direction of the Smithsonian's Bureau of Ethnology director Dr. Stirling, investigated burial mounds among a series of six mounds in the Artesia area of Cape Canaveral. The dig sites he researched revealed a culture of Native Americans that lived at the Cape 3,000 years ago, other researchers believed they may as old as 8,000 to 10,00 years old. This burial mound was one among six others in the Artesia area of Cape Canaveral that revealed other interesting artifacts.

Could these mounds be signs of the ancient Indian village of "Savochequueya" from the Ais Indians that lived in the area of Cape Canaveral? If not a city perhaps a large town or village. A Florida archaeological survey from the Bureau of Archaeological Review stated of the Fuller Mound. "One of a string of burial mounds (90-95) all making up a complex village site. This is the largest"

The human remains examined at the site consisted of 35 adult males, 42 adult females, 7 adults of uncertain sex and twelve infant skeletons. Artifacts found in their grave included 1 bone whistle, 1 shell bead, iron celt and 2 pendants. Other artifacts described by another anthropologist Irving Rouse from Yale University in his 1951 publication are a bowl and quartz crystal pennant. Rouse describes in his writings. "one of the St. Johns Plains specimens is almost complete bowl, 4.5 inches in diameter. A notched stone weight two single grooved, plumment shaped pendants of quartz crystal,fragments of four bone pins, one peg topped and one slotted, three being engraved. Then further south, to the Burns mounds another interesting artifact surfaced that indicated an advanced Indian civilization evident of their trade, an artifact of a copper snake was discovered. Described by Rouse, in 1954, "a thin strip of metal, 13cms long and 17cms. wide (of aboriginal manufacture, but of European-transported metal). The tail portion has been cut out to represent (see pic next page) rattles while the body is decorated in a repousse technique. A row of fine close-spaced dots borders each edge of the body. On the body of the snake are marks arranged in panels set off by horizontal bars. This kind of stylized representation of the rattlesnake - by the use of x-marks on the body-is typical of South Cult forms".

How did these Indians get copper? Since there were no natural veins of copper ore in the area, maybe they traded with the northern Indians the Timucuans. Perhaps they obtained the copper from Europeans and then cold hammered it into their own shapes and ornaments. There are a number of theories.

Who were these early Cape Canaveral residents and how did they live? M.W. Stirling reported that the deceased were tall people of robust physique, the crania being large, under-formed, and uncommonly thick; the long bones, heavy and massive." Many myths referred to them as being giants. (1)

Spanish explorers in the 17th century called the local Indian River natives of their time period as Ays Indians. A Spanish explorer and military cartographer by the name of Alvaro Mexia mapped and befriended the Indians on neighboring Merritt Island. Nowadays we use the word Ais instead of Ays pronounced (Aice). It was a harsh environment when the Indians lived at Cape Canaveral. This area named by Europeans as Cape of Cane Fields. Swamps, scrub mangrove trees
and wild cane fields stretched as far as the eye could see and the land was only 15 or 20 feet above sea level. Alligators and crocodiles basked in the sun waiting to gobble up their next meal. Wild beasts
routed through the canes and swarms of gulls screeched endlessly overhead.

Further evidence of a village may be considered in that there was a find of a circle in the area. The BAR master file states that a 20 foot circular area making up an Indian Wall was discovered. The reader may want to compare it with the Miami circle and other American earthworks.

(1) Giants? "Indians were not especially tall." said David Dickle of the Fl. Bureau of Archaeological Research Collections and Conservation Lab. "The reverse however is true- that is, Europeans of the time were generally short due to poor childhood diets (especially protein deficient) and childhood biological stress in general. The contrast was especially obvious to early Spanish and French sailors, who often came from lower economic classes and thus subject to more childhood stress. Thus Native Americans were not especially tall (6 foot would be a tall person), but many Europeans were short (5' 6" would be a tall person). The Europeans, being ethnocentric, instead of wondering why they were so short compared to Indians, instead wondered why the Indians were tall. Thus the story of extra-large Indians started. The guy looking up thinks the other guy is tall- the guy looking down thinks the other guy is short."

2) This was not the first time skeletons were found in this arrangement. "Boston Daily Globe April 24,1873 reported in their story entitled. "Indian Mounds in Florida- Burnham's Grove of Orange tree - Remains of a Giant Race- Curious Potter Recovered" "Sir Francis Sykes a British nobleman visited Cape Canaveral by Captain Burnham’s permission he excavated the mound, and took out twenty-seven complete skeletons. The skeletons were found lying side by side in a circle, with their heads towards the centre of the mound."

A geocache called Ais Indian Nation marks the location of where these mounds were once.

To be continued.

2024 May 22nd Pre-Memorial Day Event.

2024-05-15T09:02:00.000-07:00

What: An Educational Seminar about Memorial Day

When: May 22nd 6:pm to 7:pm

Where: North Indian River County Library. 1001 Sebastian Blvd, Sebastian Floria.

Who: Ray Osborne with special guest speaker Lloyd Lasenby with Purple Heart Cane Project.

Cost: Free

Join us for this informative and entertaining seminar where you will learn more about the true meaning of Memorial Day. You will learn how veteran service organizations like the American Legion Post 189 rise to the occasion to honor those who served our nation and how they continue to serve our local community. Learn about new methods of paying your respects to our fallen.

Special guest speaker Lloyd Lasenby of the Purple Heart Cane Project will give a presentation on his project.

Don't forget to RSVP today, It's free to attend, but RSVP os recommended. Email PostHistorian189@gmail.com

Roseland History - Jackie James

2024-04-03T09:06:00.000-07:00

Vist Jackie James interview Here. CLICK HERE

March for Local History; 2 Dates 2 Locations

2024-03-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

Do you prefer Black and White?

Presidents Day 2024 - January 19, Monday webinar from 10:30 am to 11:30 am

2024-02-19T05:45:00.000-08:00

Seating is limited, so RSVP today.

Presidential visits include Grover and First Lady Folsom Cleveland in 1888, Teddy Roosevelt 1905 Flordia visits. President Warren Harding fishing and golfing trips of the 1920's, JFK 1962 and more. Other topics include a sneak preview to upcoming local history seminars like notable women for Womens History Month, Patriots theme with the Final Naval Battle of the American Revolution, Native Indian Cultures, Treasure Tales, local history of Natural History, Celebrity visits to Florida and more. Consider joining my History Buffs Roundtable.

Our Last Moon Landing.

2024-01-29T08:52:00.000-08:00

Gathered at the launch viewing were hundreds of VIP’s and celebrities, the local paper reported that celebrities were dime a dozen. Pictures in the press showed celebrities, Eva Gabor, pointing to the fiery liftoff and Franks Sinatra staring and Jonathan Winter puffing a stogey, all captioned with “everyone was bedazzled.” There was confusion all around. Assigned seating in the bleaches was not observed by some as some people got it wrong. Former Florida Gov. Kirk got kicked out of a VIP stand for sitting in a taken seat, he had to leave as he didn't have a pass. Stumbling around the crowds looking confused was an Asian military man, his uniform draped with braiding, his shoulder festooned with stars, he wandered around the bleachers lost, unable to communicate. An elderly woman, not a big shot, steered the general back to his seat.

Meanwhile, in space, the Saturn rocket headed off on a journey to the moon. The lunar module made a soft landing in the Taurus-Littrow region of the moon. The headlines reported, “Landing Smoother Than Any” The newspaper dated December 12, 1972, reported astronaut Cernan as saying, 'It is Beautiful Out Here’. During the mission a mishap caused the fender on the Moon Rover to break and thus driving was difficult with lunar dust flying up at the moon rover riders. "I got to make a fender tonight," Astronaut Gene Cernan said. "Man I hate this dust." Radio communications with Houston Control resulted in a solution where a map was folded in such a way and duck taped to make a temporary fender, and it worked. Traveling along the moon surface an interesting discovery was made, orange soil in a crater. Astronaut Jack Smitt hesitantly suggested the strange appearing soil might have originated from a volcanic type vent, but added "But I hate to even suggest it." After all the experiments had been performed it was time to return to Earth. A short ceremony was held to end this final Apollo mission to the Moon. Astronauts Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt unveiled a plaque commemorating all six Apollo landings on the moon and acknowledging all the ground crews that made this scientific achievement possible. "This valley of history has seen mankind completes his first evolutionary steps into the universe," geologist Schmitt said, "leaving the planet earth and going forth into the universe. Cernan recognized the support of the ground crews and workers. He concluded his farewell, “God willing, We'll Return”.

A letter from NASA director Kurt H. Debus on December 19, 1972, congratulated everyone. ‘I think it was entirely appropriate as Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt positioned the American Flag on the moon that it was dedicated to all those people who made the Apollo lunar landings possible. It was quite a tribute and well deserved one for all of you. Sincerely, Kurt H.Debus’

History Buffs Unite: January 24th.

2024-01-14T10:05:00.000-08:00

Gold and Silver Found - July disaster

2024-01-14T04:00:00.000-08:00

It will have been 297 years to this date that a treasure fleet disaster of epic proportions occurred off the Central Florida coast.

In 1715 a fleet of ships carrying treasure from the New World to Spain was destroyed in a huge hurricane. It was in the evening of July 30, 1715 , seven days after departing from Havana, Cuba, eleven of the twelve ships of this fleet were sunk dumping their precious cargo of gold, silver and other expensive commodities along Florida’s East Coast. Most of the ships went down in the Fort Pierce and Wabasso beach ares but many experts agree that there is evidence that some wrecked further North. Nearly 700 sailors perished while a small number survived by drifting ashore on wreckage and lifeboats.

Spain immediately sent their salvage ships, employed local Indians for salvage work, and then
came the pirates that helped themselves. The British governor of Jamaica sent out his left-hand man Henry Jennings but the sight of all treasure turned him into a privateer,and later a full pirate. This event launched the dawning of the “Golden Age of Piracy on the Caribbean. Decades later the legend faded away only to leave evidence in oral stories and a map notation by Englishman Bernard Romans.

Rumors abound and perhaps some private discoveries were made but it wasn't till the early 1960's that a retired building contractor by the name of Kip Wagner made the find of a lifetime. It all started when he found some little flat black stones that he would skip along the water until somebody told him that that was Spanish silver coins he was throwing. Kip did some investigating and bought a metal detector and found more. One thing led to another and the right eight people with the right skills got together and formed a company called the Real Eight Company. The word was out and gold and silver were on a lot of people's minds. Even the state of Florida got involved and proper salvage operations began.

To be continued; The Treasure Map which marked the spot, the National Geographic Society get involved, a Treasure Exhibit and more.

Celebrity Visits to the Space Coast.

2021-02-07T17:00:00.000-08:00

Barbara Eden's Visits Numerous celebrity visits to the Space Coast of Florida are reported in the national and local press. Popular entertainer visits include singers; Frank Sinatra and Tammy Wynette, funny men; Jack Benny and Don Knotts, movie stars; Gregory Peck and Eva Gabor. and TV icon, Barbara Eden. This first of a series on VIP and celebrity visits begins with Cocoa Beach’s most beloved actress, Barbara Eden. A preview of the local press reveals the Space Coast's love affair with this blond Jeannie from Hollywood. “Your Wish is Your Command, Master” those words and many similar dialogues were first heard across the nation in the early nineteen sixty’s on prime time TV. This popular sitcom about an astronaut finding a Jeannie Bottle on a deserted island made Cocoa Beach a household name. Due to the show’s success Barbara Eden and the cast paid a few visits to the local area. Ms Eden's made her first visit in 1969 making it 40 years ago on June 2009 will. The local papers reported, “The Festivities started with Miss Eden arriving at Merritt Island Airport in county commissioner Lee Wenner's plane. The activities of the day dubbed "Jeannie Day" started early." Opening the day the blond actress was given a tour of Kennedy Space Center and the US Air Force Museum. The newspapers reported a number of highlights of her visit including when she pressed a button to launch a rocket carrying a weather satellite at Complex 43. Accompanying Barbara was her husband Micheal Ansara. Later in the day a Chamber of Commerce luncheon was held at the Sheraton, followed by a motorcade parade to downtown Cocoa Beach and a key-to-the-city ceremony at city hall. This opportunity gave Miss Eden a chance to greet her many fans and sign autographs. Dressed in a blue mini-dress she wowed them all reported the press. It was a typical hot day here in Central Florida and Mayor Robert Murkshe wiped the sweat off his face and stated it was hot and everything seemed to be wet. He jokingly said to the blonde star, "I wish you would snap your fingers or something Barbara and make it snow out here.” Next it was dinner at Bernard’s Surf in Cocoa Beach. Local restaurateur, Rusty Fischer, recalls the occasion with the cast at his popular eatery. He tells to this day how he received a call from Sidney Sheldon the creator of the show to get an agreement in letting the name Bernard’s Surf be used. "They did and every now and then you would hear, "Well let's make a reservation at the Surf." Said Fischer. Rusty recalls even in recent times that patrons would come into the restaurant and ask to sit where Barbara Eden sat. Lee Caron was Miss Eden's official host during her 1969 visit and concluded with an awards presentation at his Carnival Club. It was reported that here she received the Commodore's award.(1) The newspaper snapped a memorable picture of her kissing astronaut Buzz Aldrin on the cheek in this Cocoa Beach lounge. The caption read, Aldrin performs successful docking maneuver. Barbara Eden and some cast members returned 27 years later for the Space Day at Kennedy Space Center. Cocoa Beach city officials created a special Jeannie Day which included renaming Primrose Ave to “I Dream Of Jeannie Lane.“ An official document indicates it was officially dedicated on July 12, 1996 by the City of Cocoa Beach, to commemorate the role of the “I Dream of Jeannie" show on Cocoa Beach. Although she could not make it to the actual ceremony of the new street name, a road sign bearing the name “I Dream of Jeannie Lane” was carried and presented to her at the Kennedy Space Center by Cocoa Beach Mayor Joe Morgan . The final report of this event was published by Florida Today reporter Milt Salamon, along with a humorous story including his interview with Barbara Eden. Milt wrote, "Barbra's reaction to the million faces we saw yelling her name is typical of show biz fortitude. Salamon: "How about being inextricably tied to a character named Jeannie for 31 years? Would you just soon lose her for a while?" Eden: " I like Jeannie, I guess," she smiled. "I don't feel that she's gotten in my way, because I've done so much other work, so many different things. It's fine with me and it's never been off the air, so.." Salamon: We asked about her memorable costume, following an interviewing tradition begun more that three decades ago. Did she like it? Did she have a hand in it? Eden: "I love my costume, I really did," she told us. "The only influence I had was the color. I chose the color. I'm trying to remember the woman's name who designed it, because she did win an award for it." Milt closed his interview asking her if she remember her two visits in 1969, whereupon she said, "Oh yes!" she said. "Oh my, it was amazing to all of us, just mind-boggling, and it still is to me. The Space program is very exciting. The people? Oh, yes I do remember them. And it's good to be here, good to see you all again." Jeannie Day was born-again in September of 2005 with a “Jeannie Look A-Like contest marking the 40th anniversary of “I Dream Of Jeannie” TV show. Winners were 12 year old Jessica Stavrakas and 24 year old Crystal Louthan, both of Merritt Island, who won the Teenie Jeannie and Jeannie categories. The legend continues, Visit Ray Osborne' weekly History on Wednesdays from 5 pm to 6 pm at the Resort of Cocoa Beach where this and other local tales are told. Look> Enter drawing and get a chance to win a custom designed “Jeannie Bottle by Mario" by sending email with your address to rko153@gmail.com with the word 'Jeannie Bottle' in Topic Heading of email message.

30th Anniversary of an amazing discovery in Titusville

2021-02-07T16:29:00.000-08:00

30 years ago - an amazing archaeological discovery was made by accident. A backhoe operator whose plan was to continue with a building project in Titusville Florida uncovered a 7,000 year old graveyard. The artifacts found rocked the academic world on archaeology and anthropology.

Among the remains and relics found were weaved fabrics that were used to wrap the dead, seeds of what their people ate, tools made from animal teeth, and most amazing of all - brain tissue found in the skulls. Even a child’s bones were found that had her favorite toys in her arms.

The reason for the astounding preservation is that this burial was in a peat bog which was covered by water which helped preserve the remains for thousands of years. "The pond has proved to be one of the most important and productive "wet" archaeological site in the history of the nation. Scientists from around the world have taken part in the study, preservation, and analysis of materials taken from the pond.” said the The NBBD website.http://www.nbbd.com/godo/history/windover/

This Friday May 18th, readers can learn more by enjoying a a guided tour through the museum and a talk by noted archaeologist Dr. Rachel Wentz, author of "Life and Death at Windover: Excavations of a 7,000-year-old Pond Cemetery". Funds raised from this event will be used to support the museum containing the Windover exhibit.

Don't miss it May 18, 2012

6:pm to 8:pm

Prices $30 Includes: Lecture & Guided Tour of Museum

$45 includes all of the above plus Dr. Wentz's new book.

Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science

2201 Michigan Avenue

Cocoa, FL 32926

"Where history comes alive"

For more information call 321-632-1830

Credits:

Joe Richardson

NBBD website

Presidential Visits: Franklin D. Roosevelt

2021-02-07T12:20:00.000-08:00

President at Rollins College Thousands of Central Florida residents came to see President Franklin Roosevelt in March of 1936. President Roosevelt had traveled to Winter Park, Florida where he was conferred the honorary degree of Doctorate of Literature at Rollins College. The First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, had previously been honored by the presentation of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan medallion. As the President read his speech from a manuscript he remarked with a smile that this service gave him the first opportunity of seeing his "better half "in cap and gown. "At last I have attained a lifelong ambition," he said with a laugh. "At last my literary qualifications have been recognized and I am sure this is not because of the speeches I have written or the books of which I have been the author, but because at one time I was editor of my college paper." After the chapel services at Rollins College, the President,the First Lady and their party rode with a motorcade of 15 vehicles through Winter Park and then on into Orlando. The parade through Orlando streets resulted in a crowd of close to 100,000 people, all waving enthusiastically. At the end of the parade the President and the First Lady bid each other goodbye. She had to go to Jacksonville for a speaking engagement, and the President continued on his journey to the East Coast to catch a train. Accompanying the President was Florida's Governor Dave Sholtz. Sheriff Roy F. Roberts, and Sheriff Hand of Orange County, escorted the President via Cheney Avenue for the trip to Titusville. A security force of federal, state and local police were mobilized to protect the President. The streets of the county were patriotically decorated for the occasion; roads were lined by school children and citizens from every section of Brevard County. Newspaper estimates reported there were some eight or ten thousand people who gave all gave lusty cheers for the President as he passed. Local school children from the fifth grade up through the twelfth were transported to Titusville in school buses to see their Executive Chief. Reports that national guardsman in uniforms armed with rifles with bayonets were stationed in the streets of North Brevard. A Cocoa student reported well this event through the eyes of a young person and had his letter to the editor published in the Cocoa Tribune, “Flags flew from the houses in the breeze, streets were gaily decorated, and a continuous stream of cars hummed up the highway. Soldiers and policemen were everywhere on motorcycle and on foot. It was whispered that plain clothes men were all about us." The President chuckled as he entered Titusville, at a special presentation of the Mighty Haag Circus Management, which presented a parade bearing humorous political significance. Leading the parade was a mule was a rider, labeled F.D.R, followed by two elephants on which sat men placarded as “Hoover, Landon, Knox, and Borah.” A donkey carried an individual who bore another placard naming him, “Al Smith, Liberty Leaguer,” while yet another walked with a placard on his back which read, “Eugene Talmadge, please let me ride something.” Finally,The President boarded his special train, and a couple of boxes of Indian River oranges were loaded for his enjoyment. The crowd cheered as the train left Titusville and headed to Port Everglades in South Florida that would take him to a ship where he would begin his fishing trip. Ray Osborne Sources: Orlando Sentinel, The New York Times, Cocoa Tribune, Rollins College.

President Harding visit marked by Historical-Geocache

2021-02-07T11:59:00.000-08:00

Throughout the century, Brevard County, Fla. has seen a number of U.S. president and first lady visits to the area. Many came for the same reasons other visitors come: hunting, sports, business matters, vacationing, health and other pleasures. Warren Harding was a frequent visit to Merritt Island and Daytona prior to his presidency. His In-Laws had property in Merritt Island which gave Warren the opportunity to befriend many locals. He was an avid golfer and sports fisherman, and often sailed aboard a luxurious vessel during his Presidency into the area. The Indian River Advocate reported on February 11, 1921, that he arrived aboard a boat called the Victoria. However it got stuck in Mosquito Inlet and wallowed in the mud the better part of two days. At one point, President Harding got out and stretched his legs in Titusville at the recently built gulf refining company wharf, where he shook hands with a hundred or more of his Titusville constituents. He also rode in a for-hire Ford with its driver and bought some mullet from a local fisherman. The President and first lady returned to Florida for a short vacation in March 1923. President Harding played a few rounds of golf in Rockledge and some other choice golf courses in Florida. Both the President and the first lady were in a weakened physical condition and needed a much need break from the affairs of state. Mrs. Harding had narrowly escaped death from nephritis in October, 1922, and the president’s health was causing concern to his doctors. Breathing difficulties made it impossible for him to lie flat in bed at night; he complained of chest pains and shortness of breath. Playing golf with his aide, Colonel Edmund Starling, President Harding complained, “Why, after playing 11 or 12 holes, do I drag my feet and feel so tired?” To Starling’s suggestion that he should play fewer holes in the future, Harding retorted, “Hell, if I can’t play eighteen holes, I won’t play at all.” The Cocoa Tribune reported President Harding’s arrival on a beautiful houseboat called “Pioneer” on March 8, 1923. At a gathering of locals, Cocoa Beach real estate developer Gus Edwards presented the President and Mrs. Harding with a deed for an ocean-front lot in Cocoa Beach, inviting them to make it their home when President Harding retired. President Harding was never able to take him up on this offer as he died during his administration just after a Florida visit. To visit the location of the Oceanfront Lot visit this Historical-Geocache Wanted: Tourist geocacher to pick up a TB at this cache and deliver it to another history themed geocache. Sources: Cocoa Tribune Indian River Advocate The Twenties in America By Niall A. Palmer Historically Yours, -RKO PS. This story to be continued. Become a follower of this blog.

Cocoa Beach Pier: 50 years of seaside history, geocache location

2021-02-07T11:38:00.000-08:00

As Space Coast residents celebrated the achievement of becoming a spaceport not far away another group of entrepreneurs built their dreams, a pier that would launch into a Coney Island type seaside resort. The construction of Canaveral Pier began in February of 1962 and was completed in October with a price tag in excess of $150,000.

This venture was started by five Brevard businessmen. Two of the partners were Charlie Moehle, a dredging expert, who along with Rick Stottler who founded the Brevard Engineering Company in 1959. With the experience of many local civil engineering projects they unveiled their new 800 foot fishing pier on 270 pine-leg pilings. There wasn't much to it just a bait shop and a grill and typical of business start-ups there were many financial headaches." Back then, things were happening and looked like they would keep happening." said Charlie Moehle ,the pier's
architect. "The idea was to expand along the beach and do additional concession and rides.”

The first sign of success was reported on October 29th when the Cocoa Tribune published an account of a near record catch from the pier, a ten pound Spanish Mackeral, the fish was just 1/8 from the world record. But the Pier was destined to become more than a place for catching great fish but an enterprise housing budding businesses, a surfers’ mecca, and a bandstand for heart pounding rock and roll groups.

One of the first businesses to set up a storefront at the pier was Ron Jon’s. Vice President of the company at the time, Janice Baugher gave an interview in 1986 to a high school journalist where she shared her description of the early days of Ron Jon’s. “It all began in 1963 when owner Ron Dimenna brought a truck full of merchandise and settled in Brevard County to open a surf shop. The truck was his home for six months.“ said Baugher. With just $5,000, founder of Ron Jon’s opened a small store on the Canaveral Pier and stocked it with Levis, Rainbow Sandals, one small rack of bikinis and baggies, and surfboards.”

The shop was DiMenni's home for two years while he built up his business. "It's not just about opening a store and immediately becoming successful." stated Baugher. "This is a very long success story. Had it failed, he simply would have tried again." But it didn't fail. The beach was young and progressive, and the small shop flourished. Later due to growth Ron Jon’s moved from the pier to Third Street North, and then to the corner of 520 and A1A in 1967.

Tom Wasdin became a part owner in 1967. Under Tom's management the enterprise began billing itself as a haven for teen-agers and their beloved surfboards. In those days, it was more for young people," Wasdin said."We promoted it as the Surfing Capital of the East Coast."

A nightclub called The Asylum at the pier featured a psychedelic light shows and blaring rock music. Started in 1968 this promotion was short-lived as the popularity waned. A major remodeling job was undertaken in 1975 to attract more families. The new manager Doc Kelly wanted to get a mix of the old and the new. "Were doing the whole thing, repairing, remodeling. We're making the bar look like the inside of a ship. We’ll call it Man-O-War." Said Doc Kelly. "We're setting a 20 by 12 foot plastic clear insert in the middle of the floor. The folks will be able to sit there and eat seafood and watch the surf wash underneath them. Next year we want to get the (surfing) pros in here, offer $1,5000 to $2,000 in prizes." The pier and surfing flourished and in 1985 the name was changed to Cocoa Beach Pier to reflect the name of the city it was located in.

A Geocache is located outside the pier for the GPS enthusiast. Located underneath the boardwalk by the welcome sign.

Sources:

Ron Jon "Hangs Ten for 23 ” by Kimberley Cook.
The New York Times 1962
Cocoa Tribune 1962

Author welcomes feedback from readers.

Previous comments made.

Lori Stottler> There was a nightclub with a dance floor that lit up entirely (very funky for the time) called the Asylum. In the beginning cars could drive right on up the Pier. There have been a host of musical acts that have played at the Pier: Beach Boys, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Flock of Seagulls, UB40, Edgar Winter Band, Ratt, Maxi Priest, Banto Panton, Ziggy Marley….just to name a few. Kelly Slater used to surf the Pier break as well as many other surfing legends did previously like Murf the Surf. Many astronauts have visited the Pier: Alan Shepard, Robert Cripton etc.

Gile Malone>Giles Malone became Pier GM in 1986 and met with the then Mayor of Cocoa Beach, Bob Lawton and decided to change the name to the Cocoa Beach Pier as that was the city of origin. The Tourism Development Council of the Space Coast joined in the renaming celebration with Malone, Lawton and Pier Director of Marketing, Wendy Ellis. In 1991, Malone designed and built a new 90-foot long gift shop called Ocean Notions and worked with Joel Brown Construction to get it built with the cooperation of the City. Over the next ten years, Malone created several additions to the Pier including the Atlantic Ocean Grill Restaurant Banquet Room, the Boardwalk Bar, the Mai Tiki Bar (at the easternmost end of the Pier in cooperation with Wayne Coombs, owner of the Mai Tiki Gallery in Cocoa Beach), Oh Shucks Seafood Bar, Sea Dogs Concession and Rickys Ice Cream Parlor and Family Fun Center.

Can you share any memories of your days to the pier? Your comments are welcome.

View the Pier now through this Webcam

-RKO

July Fourth during Pioneer Days

2021-02-07T08:31:00.000-08:00

Independence Day in Central Florida historically has been celebrated with not only much patriotism but also team spirited recreation. Many Orlando residents would travel to the East Coast for for their celebrations. A preview of the historic newspapers for this holdiay provides the reader a journey of discovery into a local community at play.

More than a hundred years ago, an account of the area's fanfare can be found in the historic newspaper, Florida Star.
On July 10, 1890 the headlines read, " A Glorious Fourth; An Exciting Regatta which is very closely contested."

Although the regatta was by far the most popular event, other more unusual, but picturesque games were held. This newspaper account reflect the joviality of our community at play. Close your eyes after reading these ac count and you just might be able to hear the laughter and shouts of a bye-gone age.

One instance is a game called "Pigs in the Clover". This festive game which required contestants to coral three live pigs from one circular fence to another circular fence inside in the first one .Also, a rifle shoot was held at the old ice factory in Melbourne where Winchester rifles were used.The paper lists the entries with the well recognized pioneer surnames of L Chandler,S.L.Jeffords,W.Spies, J.M.Fields, and others.

In these days no holiday would be complete without a community baseball game. The story continues that a baseball game between two teams with names of "Fats and the Leans." The Fats were arrayed in Mother Hubbards (A woman's loose, unbelted dress.) and wide brimmed hats. They attributed their defeat not to the dresses but to their lack of practice in playing.

Back to the main event - the sailing regatta. There was a complete account of the seven sailing vessels involved and a poke at the weather clerk at the Indian River Hotel for not being more generous in his weather reports. No capsizes for that year though, unlike the previous year.

The paper reports, "In the second class the Rosie H, was of course the favorite and with George and Frank Houston aboard she is a sure winner. The Windward did good work, and the Alta was well handled but evidently is not molded or rigged to sail with other boats on the river which come in her class. Shortly after two o clock the judges gave the signal for the start. The Alpha crossed the line followed by the Arrow, the Naide and the Spray. The course was perfect, the boats having to sail in six directions. The wind was very light from the southwest, and after the judge's stage was passed all interest centered int the race between the Alpha and the Naide. The start was a beautiful one and the seven boats laying to the south on the wind, formed a sight long to be remembered."

In the 20th century the Cocoa Tribune on July 6th, 1933 report that a good crowd visited the Canaveral Harbor area for the fourth. An account of some good fishing on this date."The Harbor Hotel, under the management of Mr. and Mrs. John Spies, had a full hotel from Saturday night until Tuesday night. The majority of the guests came from Orlando. There were several from Cocoa who spent the holiday at the hotel. Tarpon and jewfish were good at the harbor over the weekend which provided a lot of entertainment for the ladies and gentleman."

This July 4th, take time to join our community at play. No matter where you live in Florida, there is a July 4th celebration for you to participate in.

-RKO

Post Offices of Artesia; Geocache marks the spot.

2021-02-07T07:28:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time there was a little township called Artesia. As with any town it had its own post office which not only served as place to distribute mail but also a place for the citizens to get together and share local news. The last remaining Post Office of Artesia and perhaps the last remaining vesitage of this little township is a small cinder block structure on North Atlantic Ave in present day Cape Canaveral. This little building replaced the original Artesia wooden post office built in 1891. The original postmaster of this little structure was Elizabeth Holmes. The history of these Post Offices is well documented with Library Of Congress archives. The original Artesia Post Office's application was made April 1891 by J.H. Hogan to the postmaster of Canaveral. The document was recorded May 17, 1891 and reported the nearest post office as Courtenay but the Canaveral Post office was the main link. The Artesia office was 7/8 miles in a northerly direction to continue route 16233. The nearest creek was Banana Creek and nearest river Banana River. Population of Artesia at time of application was listed about 30 persons. Application was signed by Henry Wilson the postmaster at the Canaveral Post office. The next postmaster to serve was Elizabeth B. Eberwein. A form she filled out listed the office as East side of the Florida East Coast Railroad and at a distance of ten miles from the track. The railroad station name was Eau Gauie Fd in a document dated February 26, 1915. Elizabeth J. Holmes daughter of the previous post master made application January 31st to change the location. The proposed change of the location of the office was one mile North of the present location. The nearest office on the same route was Cocoa Beach. A photo a woman delivering a letter in Artesia's 9 by 12 foot post office was published in a Miami Herald article dated 4-13-1952. The article entitled "Woman follows mother in job." The caption mentions that Elizabeth Holmes succeeded her mother as postmaster. "It may be the smallest in the state or even the nation - but Mrs. Holmes doubts it. The articles ends with announcements that this post office will have to be relocated because of plans for the development of the Long Range Missile Range. After it was relocated a concrete slab building was built to replace it. Site is a location along the Cape Canaveral Heritage Trail. Florida Master Site file number is BR02570. GPS coordinates N 28 24.193 W 80 36.251

Launching Rockets

2021-02-07T06:14:00.001-08:00

Launching rockets to the Moon and deep space has always attracted a lot visitors. Beaches and roads were packed with spectators to watch our nation’s boldest endeavor into the final frontier of space.

The limelight of America’s space program brought many VIP's and celebrities to experience the awesome rush and excitement of watching firsthand the thunderous liftoffs of our country’s quest into Space

The list of stars visiting and witnessing rockets launches include: Charles Lindberg, Jack Benny, Johnny Carson, Robert Gullet, Cary Grant,Festus Parker, Vincent Price, Michael York, Frank Sinatra and many others. A regular cluster of stars.

Many film actors visited the area for active roles they were playing on the set with scene shots in the Brevard County area. Movies where space exploration was the theme and scenes from the Space Coast area include:

* Marooned a 1969 American film directed by John Sturges and starring Gregory Peck, Richard Crenna, David Janssen, James Franciscus, and Gene Hackman.

* Armageddon - Cast included Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, Billy Bob Thornton, Liv Tyler, Owen Wilson, Will Patton, Peter Stormare, William Fichtner, Michael Clarke Duncan, Keith David and Steve Buscemi.

* Space Cowboys-2000 science fiction film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood. Eastwood also stars in the film alongside Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, and James Garner as four older "ex-test pilots" who are sent into space to repair an old Soviet satellite. Filming started in July 1999.

* Contact a 1997 American science fiction drama film adapted from the Carl Sagan novel
of the same name and directed by Robert Zemeckis. Both Sagan and wife Ann Druyan.

* Apollo 13 is a 1995 American drama film directed by Ron Howard. The film stars Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Kathleen Quinlan and Ed Harris.

Even a TV series entitled The Cape ran in 1996-1997 starring Corbin Bernsen of "L.A. Law"
fame and Ben Affleck.

Air Force Space and Missile Museum in Cape Canaveral

2021-02-06T22:05:00.000-08:00

Although it may cost an individual several million dollars for a journey into space, a journey into space history is free at the Air Force Space Missile History Center in Cape Canaveral.

This new 3,200 square foot history center is located just outside the Cape's South Gate at 100 Space Port Way and is free to the public. Visitors will find a variety of eye catching and mind boggling history exhibits arranged in order of the launch complex where space history was made.

The history center delivers the information in an entertaining way on every launch complex on Cape Canaveral. Artifacts, displays and presentations includes but not limited to launch consoles, control panels, nosecones, rocket engines, and even a Mercrury capsule prototype.

Each exhibit tells the visitor fun facts based around the history of that launch pad while at the same time helping the visitor understand the inter-related purposes the missions had with one another.

For example at LC 43, one learns of rockets called, "Cajun Dar, Nike Smoke, Nike Javelon." (One would be forgiven thinking these were athlete shoes.) Mission programs from this Launch Complex supported Aeronomy, the study of upper atmosphere meteorological studies. These weather rockets were launched before major manned rockets to test atmospheric and weather condition prior to the main launch. Another fun fact learned here is immortalized in historic photos of Barbara Eden of I Dream Of Jeannie fame who pressed a button that launched a LOKI/Dart rocket in June of 1969 from here. This rocket was used to measure atmospheric conditions prior to the Apollo 11 launch.

But this history center is more that just displaying facts in a fun way, it is about honoring all the space workers who made the dreams of space flight possible. Brig General ED. Wilson of the 45th Space Fighter Wing summed it up well when he said, "This center is a testament to all those who have come before us, to the hard work and the dedication they expressed, and the sacrifices those individuals made."

Well worth the visit just a few miles North East of 528 Beeline on state road
401. Picnic benches outside the building so considering bringing a packed lunch.
Estimated time to visit all the exhibits is an hour. Gift store inside gives the visitor the opportunity to purchase some mementos of their visit.

Hours: Closed Monday.
Open Tuesday to Friday 9 am to 2 pm
Saturdays 9 am to 5pm
Sunday Noon to 4 pm
Admittance: Free

GPS: N 28° 25.023 W 080° 36.275
-RKO

Geocaching with history at the Indian River Hotel Rockledge

2021-01-15T16:34:00.000-08:00

One of the first hotels in the Rockledge/Cocoa area was built in 1881 by A.L.Hatch and was known as the Rockledge House. It caught fire and burned down in 1884 and rising from its ashes, a grander hotel was built. The hotel was purchased by Joseph Wilkinson who renamed it the Hotel Indian River in 1885. The positioning of hotel in a charming location along the river added to its popularity among tourists. A seasoned and experienced manager by the name of J.M.Lee was hired and with his experience of running big hotels in Jacksonville turned the hotel into a showcase. It was advertised as the finest and largest hotel on the East Coast of Florida between St. Augustine and Key West. The stationary from the hotel read that the Indian River Hotel had 300 rooms, had its own telegraph office and its motto was "The Tropical Health and Pleasure Resort of America".

A highlight in history is when President Grover Cleveland visited the area and had a picture taken of his entourage at the front of the hotel. Rockledge hotels in this time period became the pride of Brevard County during the 1880's and 1890s.

The Indian River Hotel was sold in 1910 to SF Travis of Cocoa and two New Jersey men who put the establishment in "first class shape." The hotel had a major remodeling and on January 24, 1924 and was formally opened as The New Hotel Indian River where an estimated 400 people celebrated the grand opening. Architecture of the building was of Spanish style which was popular for this time period.

Use your GPS and visit the location of this hotel by visiting this
Historical-Geocache and discover a Million dollar bill. Be the first to find this replica note.

To be continued with more interesting facts. Be sure
to become a follower of this blog.

Historically yours,

-RKO

President Harding visit marked by Historical-Geocache

2021-01-15T11:14:00.000-08:00

Ray Osborne's series on Presidential visits to Florida continues with the visits of Warren Harding. This President loved vacationing in the Sunshine State. An examination of his visits reveals a President who values his leisure activities with golf, fishing and being just a good ole' boy. President Warren Harding spent a considerable amount of time in Merritt Island and Daytona prior to his Presidency. The historic newspaper Cocoa Tribune and Indian River Advocate have accounts of his visits to these areas. President Harding was an avid golfer and sports fisherman, and would often sail aboard a luxurious vessel into the area. The Indian River Advocate reported on February 11, 1921 that he arrived onboard a boat called the Victoria. However it got stuck in Mosquito Inlet and wallowed in the mud the better part of two days. At one point President Harding got out of the vessel and stretched his legs in Titusville at the recently built Gulf Refining company wharf, He he shook hands with a hundred or more of his Titusville constituents. He took a ride in a "for hire' Ford with its driver and bought some mullet from a local fisherman. In March 1923, The President and First Lady returned to Florida for a short vacation. The President was to get in a round of golf in Rockledge and some other choice golf courses in Florida. Both the President and the First Lady were in a weakened physical condition. Mrs. Harding had narrowly escaped death from nephritis in October 1922 and the President's health was causing concern to his doctors. Breathing difficulties made it impossible for him to lie flat in bed at night and he complained of chest pains and shortness of breath. Playing golf with his aide, Colonel Edmund Starling, President Harding complained, 'Why, after playing eleven or twelve holes do I drag my feet and feel so tired: To Starling's suggestion that he should play fewer holes in future, Harding retorted, "Hell if I can't play eighteen holes I won't play at all." The Cocoa Tribune reported President Harding’s arrival on beautiful houseboat called "Pioneer" on March 8, 1923. At a gathering of local businesses and city officials, Cocoa Beach real estate developer Gus Edwards presented the President and Mrs. Harding with a deed for an ocean-front lot at Cocoa Beach, inviting them to make their home when President Harding retires from the most important job in the US. Unfortunately President Harding was never able to take him up on this offer as he died during his administration that same year. Visit the President Harding's Oceanfront Lot Historical-Geocache -RKO

Jeannie Days; Barbara Eden visits marked by Historic Marker

2021-01-15T07:08:00.000-08:00

Here's comes that Jeannie Magic!

Everybody knows the 1960's TV series "I Dream Of Jeannie." The story begins when an astronaut, Major Tony Nelson, discovers a Genie bottle on a deserted island beach. A blond female named Jeannie vapors out of the bottle, and from then on, astronaut Major Nelson gets all that he wishes and then some.

Fewer people know that the stars of the show made occasional visits to Florida's East Coast due to the shows frequent references to Cocoa Beach and the Space Center at Cape Canaveral.

The Jeannie Day celebration made a splash in history as it demonstrated the cooperation of multiple organizations to plan a star-studded event.

The first visit of Barbara Eden was on June 27th, 1969, when Brevard commissioner Lee Wenner flew his small aircraft South to Miami to meet up with Barbara Eden the actress that played the character of Jeannie. Lee transported her to Brevard County where he landed his small aircraft at the Merritt Island Airport.

The Florida Today newspaper headline read; "Smiling, Wide-Eyed Jeannie Wows Em in Cocoa Beach."

Barbara's first activities in the area were to press a button that launched a weather rocket from Complex 43 at Cape Canaveral and then to be the guest of honor in a parade through Cocoa Beach. Later in the evening, she was given a reception at Lee Caron's Carnival Club where she was showered with gifts. The most remarkable gift she was presented was an 8-foot (inert) rocket replica to commemorate the real one she launched earlier in the day.

Barbara Eden and cast returned to the Cocoa Beach area on November 25th, 1969, for a publicity event to promote the final episode where a mock wedding was to take place. In attendance were her real-life husband Mike Ansara, and actor-groom Larry Hagman, the show's producer Sidney Sheldon and other cast members. At the event were many VIPS including Florida's Governor Claude Kirk, Major General David Jones and the Astronaut, Gene Cernan.

It would be 27years before Barbara Eden was to return to the area. A three-day-event in Cape Canaveral called "Space Day at Kennedy Space Center" was held in the second weekend in July 1996." Even the City of Cocoa Beach got involved when city officials commemorated the TV show by creating a special Jeannie Day, which included renaming Primrose Ave, to become “I Dream of Jeannie Lane.“

Other Jeannie Days were held in 2004 and 2005 although Barbara Eden could not personally
attend. A Jeannie Look-a-like contest, raffles, and other events were among the festivities.

Jeannie Day was reborn in 2009 for the 40th Anniversary of the first visit by the actress. A get together was held at a restaurant called the Surf in Cocoa Beach, the original location where Barbara and cast had a meal. Among the attendees were participants of previous Jeannie Days who shared their memories. On this occasion comma there was a storytelling presentation with historic photos and a raffle drawing for a replica, I Dream of Jeannie bottle.

2010s Jeannie Day was even better. A telephone interview with Barbara
Eden was recorded and her message was shared with the residents of the Space Coast. In addition, there was a Jeannie Look-a-Like contest, a bellydancing demonstration, a slideshow presentation with storytelling. There was a raffling of a replica Jeannie Bottle and other collectibles; the proceeds of which will be used to support a local historic marker project.

Visit the location where Jeannie Days started by visiting this
Historical-Geocache

Sources: Ebook "Jeannie Days Remembered" by Ray Osborne. Email author
for details on buying a copy of this popular story.

-RKO

This Day in History, Apollo 17 man's last visit to the Lunar surface came to an end.

2020-12-07T07:43:00.000-08:00

Considered one of the most memorable Apollo launches, the Apollo 17 blasted off from Launch Pad 39 at Kennedy Space Center on December 7, 1972. This was the first nighttime launch and it made a spectacular sight. The crew was made up by Command Module Pilot Ronald E. Evans, a civilian geologist Jack Schmitt, and the Spacecraft Commander Eugene Cernan. They were launched into space from Cape Canaveral by a Saturn V Rocket.

As usual, the CBS Newscaster Walter Cronkite was reporting live but he made one of the most embarrassing gaffes of his career when he said that the night launch would "light up the sky like a firecracker. (There was a brief pause.) Uh, excuse me, Wally," Cronkite continued to guest commentator and former Astronaut Wally Schirra, "I should day, perhaps, like a roman candle."

Gathered at the launch viewing were hundreds of VIP’s and celebrities, the local paper reported
that celebrities were dime a dozen. Pictures in the press showed celebrities Eva Gabor pointing to the fiery liftoff and Frank Sinatra starry-eyed and Jonathan Winter puffing on a stogey, all captioned with “everyone was bedazzled.”
There was enough confusion to go around. Assigned seating in the bleaches was not observed by some, as some people got it wrong. Former Florida Gov. Kirk got kicked out of a VIP stand for sitting in a taken seat, he had to leave as he didn't have a pass. Stumbling around the crowds looking confused was an Asian military man, his uniform draped with braiding, his shoulder festooned with stars,he wandered around the bleachers lost, unable to communicate. An elderly woman, not a big shot, steered the general back to his seat. But he Saturn rocket headed off on a journey to the moon.

The lunar module made a soft landing in the Taurus-Littrow region of the moon. The headlines reported, “Landing Smoother Than Any” The newspaper dated December 12, 1972, reported astronaut Cernan as saying, 'It is Beautiful Out Here’. During the mission a mishap caused the fender on the Moon Rover to break and thus driving was difficult with lunar dust flying up at the moon rover riders. "I got to make a fender tonight," Astronaut Gene Cernan said. "Man I hate this dust." Radio communications with Houston Control resulted in a solution where a map was folded in such a way and duck taped to make a temporary fender, and it worked.

Traveling along the moon surface an interesting discovery was made, orange soil in a crater. Astronaut Jack Smitt hesitantly suggested the strange appearing soil might have originated from a volcanic type vent, but added "But I hate to even suggest it." After all the experiments had been performed it was time to return to Earth. A short ceremony was held to end this final Apollo mission to the Moon. Astronauts Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt unveiled a plaque commemorating all six Apollo landings on the moon and acknowledging all the ground crews that made this scientific achievement possible.

"This valley of history has seen mankind completes his first evolutionary steps into the universe," geologist Schmitt said, "leaving the planet earth and going forth into the universe. Cernan recognized the support of the ground crews and workers. He concluded his farewell, “God willing, We'll Return”.

A letter from NASA director Kurt H. Debus on December 19, 1972, congratulated everyone. ‘I think it was entirely appropriate as Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt positioned the American Flag on the moon that it was dedicated to all those people who made the Apollo lunar landings possible. It was quite a tribute and well deserved one for all of you. Sincerely, Kurt H.Debus.

Sources:
US Space Walk of Fame Museum in Titusville
FLORIDA TODAY December 1972
Wikipedia
Photo credit: NASA Archives

A Period of Friendship: Mexia and the Ais Indians

2019-06-30T14:04:00.000-07:00

At the moment this writing project at this site is a landing page for work in progress.

Most of the content for this story is contained at a Wikipedia entry on Alvaro Mexia. Researchers and writers are welcome to add to the article.

This is a historical research and writing project in progress. These accounts will be used for an oral presentation by reenactors for a Heritage Day event planned for March 23rd, 2013. The plan for the event is to engage both visual arts with other forms of expression including performing arts around the historical period when the Europeans met the indigenous tribes of Florida. Scholarly and constructive advice is always welcome.

This writing project first started with an article the author published years ago called 96 Skeletons

The Ais Indian Nation Geocache marks the spot where six mounds of these Indians were found. A beautiful and tranquil point of interest in a small city park in Cape Canaveral.

-RKO

The Light at Cape Canaveral

2013-08-07T15:28:00.000-07:00

As light is a symbol of understanding and guidance, so a lighthouse is a symbol of an area's local history. The Canaveral Lighthouse is such a beacon of the rich history of Brevard County, with its tales, historical characters and the events that were both festive and dramatic. A story to be told from generation to generation through oral histories, written narratives to complete novels.

The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse structure earns its distinction as the oldest man-made structure in the Brevard County area. The story begins with a need. Canaveral's Cape with its coral shoals and wild ocean currents proved a formidable hazard for maritime shipping as evidenced by a graveyard of shipwrecks off the Cape. To counter this hazard a lighthouse was needed. As with any worthwhile venture it took the efforts of many people to
get this light started. A lot of letter writing ensued with the first one dated March 26, 1822 with a letter from M.C.Perry to Smith Thompson, the Secretary of the Navy, Perry wrote that "A lighthouse is very much wanted on Cape Canaveral".

The first lighthouse was built between October 1847 and finished in January 1848 and stood sixty-five feet tall. Although it was a good start the complaints were that it had a dim light and could not be seen unless the ships were close enough, but then they would be in danger of hitting the very reef they were trying to avoid. In 1851 pressure from the maritime industry the Lighthouse Board was set to improve all the Lighthouses on the Eastern seaboard. the second lighthouse parts were forged by the West Point Foundry of West Point New York and sent to Cape Canaveral after the Civil War and assembled in 1868.

It was a tough job being lighthouse keeper in the 19th century. Carving a life out of the wilderness of East Florida was not easy with the alligators, mosquitoes, diseases, huge snakes, missed supply ships and then the keeper had to man the light during a hurricane. The first lighthouse keeper Nathanial Scobie was run off by hostile Seminole Indians after his requests for military protection was ignored. ,p> The third lighthouse keeper Captain Mills Burnham reached fame throughout the area for his hospitality with his parties and out of town visitors. Prior to being a keeper of the light, he was a gunsmith,ship captain and machinist who lived in New Smynra, Florida. Mills was a diligent worker and took great care of the lighthouse and its lighting apparatus, a Fresnal lens. With the outbreak of the American Civil War, Mills Burnham, under instructions from the secretary of the Confederate Navy ordered that the Cape Canaveral lighthouse be dismantled to hinder Union navigation. So Burnham removed the precious lens and apparatus and buried it in his citrus grove for safe keeping. He took great care of this lens and the apparatus to time the unique light sequence. Don Argo novelist of Canaveral Light wrote it best when he wrote, "“they carefully wiped and polished the glass lens prisms with spirits of wine, cranked the windlass, tightening the coil spring that turned the lens pedestal. Engaging the pawl that drove the ratchet gear, they used a pocket watch to time the turning rate of the lens ,the fixed beams would now sweep the horizon in an exact time sequence. Any ship’s captain seeing the flashes would know he was seeing the Cape Canaveral lighthouse and no other “— page 176. Canaveral Light. The light consisted of 15 lamps each with a 21-inch (530 mm) reflector.

After the war in 1868 the new lighthouse was finished and a light once again returned to the Cape. A new prosperity came with the gilded age, with it brought visitors to Burnham and his wife. On April 24th, 1873, a report from the Boston Globe entitled "Indian Mounds in Florida- Burnham's Grove of Orange Trees - Remains of a Giant Race - Curious Pottery Recovered" narrative of a visit of British Nobleman by the name of Sir Francis Sykes. Sykes visited Mills and did some archaeological work on one of the Indian Mounds on Burnham's property.

In 1885 a Hurricane caused severed erosion on the Cape's seashore which caused concern so that President Grover Cleveland and Congress put forward a bill to finance moving the lighthouse back. Moving the lighthouse was an engineering feat. "The lighthouse was moved with a tram-road in pieces with one mule" according to the oral history of Mrs Floyd Quarterman, a descendant of a lighthouse keeper. The tower was moved one and a half miles inland away from the eroding beachfront. Other features of the relocation are the roman numerals that can be found on each of the stairs that wind their way to the top. In 1873 the lighthouse received its distinctive day-mark of vertical painted black bands.

The area grew and Lighthouse community saw new well heeled neighbors arrive and built a magnificent club house called the Canaveral Club. A gun club started by C.B. Horton for the Harvard Graduating class of 1890. In 1894 The old lighthouse was blown up and the rubble used to prepare a foundation of the newer lighthouse. The cast-iron tower was disassembled, moved and reassembled at the new location a move that took 18 months. This tower stood 165 feet allowing better visibility of its light to passing ships. The next keeper

Clinton P. Honeywell served as lighthouse keeper from 1891 to 1930. By this time two small communities were established near the lighthouse; Stinkmore to the South and DeSoto Beach to the North. Stinkmore originally a fishing community sported a pier and a hotel and became a haven for bootleggers in the early 20th century. In the 1950's the Missile age came as a forerunner to the Space Age and the Canaveral Lighthouse and property was acquired by the Air Force. It was recorded that Dr. Wernher Braun, a pioneer of the space effort, used the lighthouse as a platform to observe early rocket launches. The silhouette of the lighthouse even resembles a rocket. A local tale goes that a new Pan Am employee was told to watch the black and white rocket which was about to go up, he strained to watch it for 2 hours when the silence was broken with howls of laughter from his colleagues. He was told. "You are not watching a lighthouse, you are watching a 92 year old light house." The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is on Air Force Land that is restricted to the public. Currently the arrangements to visit the Lighthouse is by membership to the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation. For your reading pleasure read Don Argo’s “Patrick Smith’>s Award”winning Canaveral Light.

Author Don Argo pictured with Yvonne Thornton (lighthouse keeper Mills Burnham descendent aboard the Sterling Casino Boat for a relighting of the lighthouse event.

Time Line of Ponce de Leon events and celebrations

2013-04-13T20:56:00.000-07:00

Timeline of Ponce de Leon events, sources and celebrations.

1511 Peter Marty published "Opera" a map.

1511 Andres Morales Map published.

1512, February 23rd, Contract presented by Ferdinand to Juan Ponce for exploration and settlment of Bimini. Three ships Santiago, Santa Maria de la Consolacion, and San Cristoball.

April 2, 1513 Florida Landing, exact location has been debated. Many say Melbourne Beach others in the past have said St. Augustine, Deland, Ponce Inlet, and Stuart.

April 21, 1513 Ponce's encountered the Gulf Stream. (first written reference to the Gulf Stream). Encountered local Indians and a fight broke out. Traveled and landed and encountered more Indians and took one to serve as a scout.

April 22, 1513 Stuart Florida, sighting and naming by Ponce de Leon the River of the Cross, thought by author Robert Fuson to be at St. Lucie Inlet at the southern end of Hutchinson Island, near the town of Stuart.

May 8th, the doubled the Cape of Florida couldn't sail in the direction
they wanted because of the strong current so they anchored behind a cape,
next to a village named Abaido near Jupiter Florida.

June 4 & 5, Explore Charlotte Harbor area, encounter and battle with Calusa Indians

1521 Ponce de León organized a colonizing expedition in SW Florida but was fatally wounded by an arrow from a Calusa Indian.

1537 Alonso de Chaves published document as the Chaves rutter.

1541 Alonso de Santa Cruz's Map published.

1601 Herrera map published.

1910-April 1, Another commemoration of the Landing of Ponce de Leon with an elaborate historical and spectacular celebration on March 30th and April 1st. Hundreds of Indians, Spanish Nobles, Soldiers participated.

January 24, 1913 The Christian Science Monitor published the article "Motor Boat Clubs to Aid Florida in the big celebration." Expect Big Races Will Attract More Entries Than Usual This Season at Four Hundredth Anniversary MOTOR BOAT CLUBS TO AID FLORIDA IN BIG STATE CELEBRATION

April 1, 1923
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., March 31. -- Juan Ponce, Knight of Leon, who, on Easter Sunday just 412 years ago today, landed in Florida in quest of the Fountain of Youth, will again land this week with all his pomp and glory in St. Augustine, when one of the most picturesque celebrations ever undertaken in Florida will be presented in a three-day historical pageant

December 13, 1934
TOAST TO PONCE DE LEON.; Floridans Join Puerto Ricans in Salute to Their First Governor. Floridans and Puerto Ricans toast Ponce de Leon in San Juan

January 18, 1935,
House of Ponce de Leon Identified in Puerto Rico

January 09, 1938,
PONCE DE LEON'S TRAIL; Tourists Follow It to Those Springs He Bathed In on Quest for Youth CASSADAGA, FLA. ON Summerlike days which are sprinkled through the Winter months in Florida tourists visit the famous "miracle" springs of crystal-clear waters where Ponce de Leon bathed in his historic search for a "fountain of youth."
Section Resorts-Travel

March 22, 1964
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Participation by Central and South American countries and Spain in St. Augustine's quadricentennial, to be celebrated in 1965, has been assured. The celebration will take place between April 3, the date of the discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon in 1513, and Sept. 8, the date on which Pedro Menendez landed here in 1565 to establish St. Augustine.

1982
SAN JUAN, PR, Statue in Old Juan Puerto erected was originally made from the bronze from
English cannons seized after the English attacked San Juan in 1794.

2000, Author Robert H. Fuson published, "Juan Ponce De Leon and the Spanish Discovery of Puerto Rico and Florida". Fuson thought that Ponce de Leon may have landed 30 miles North of the Daytona Beach area at the Palm Coast (pg 105) and that Ponce was told by the King of Spain to keep an eye out for the fabled, Fountain of Youth.

Newspaper reported in 1920's WHERE PONCE DE LEON EXPLORED; All historical evidence places him in area near De Land, Fla. DE LAND, Fla. -- According to legend, Ponce de Leon, the Spanish explorer, discovered the springs north of here nearly 450 years ago, when he was searching for the mythical Fountain of Youth.