Old Florida Now

Step back in time to Miami Beach’s golden era as we dive into the incredible legacy of the Deauville Hotel. From legendary performances to jaw-dropping scandals, this episode explores the moments that made the Deauville unforgettable—and the shocking events that led to its end.

Show Notes:

• the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL)
• Florida Memory
• Ocean Drive’s Deauville Legacy Page.

In this episode of Old Florida Now, we take you back to 1799, when a routine night in the Florida Keys turned into a jaw-dropping celestial spectacle. Discover how a forgotten figure in American history witnessed the very first recorded meteor shower in U.S. history, right off the Florida coast.

Show Notes:

• History.com – Read about Andrew Ellicott’s observation of the Leonid meteor shower and how it became the first recorded meteor shower in U.S. history. Dive into the significance of this event and its impact on early American astronomy.
• The History Blog – Explore Ellicott’s broader contributions to American history, including his important role in surveying the U.S.-Spanish boundary. Learn about his work and some fascinating genealogical details about his family.
• EarthSky – For those curious about the science behind meteor showers like the Leonids, EarthSky offers excellent resources on how and why these events occur, along with updates on when to watch them.
• StarDate – Another great resource for astronomy enthusiasts, StarDate provides information about upcoming meteor showers and other celestial events. Stay updated on when you can catch the next meteor shower.

Discover the thrilling world of Civil War blockade running off Florida’s coast! In this episode, we explore daring escapes, cunning naval strategies, and the high-stakes game of smuggling vital supplies past the Union Navy.

Show Notes: Blockade Running and the Union Navy in Florida

• Castillo de San Marcos National Monument Learn about the role this historic site played during the Civil War, including blockade running through Matanzas Inlet. Visit the National Park Service’s site for more details: Castillo de San Marcos - NPS.gov
• Museum of Florida History Explore their exhibit on naval and riverine operations during the Civil War, with a focus on how the Union Navy blocked Confederate trade routes: Museum of Florida History
• American Battlefield Trust Find in-depth articles on famous blockade runners and the strategies they used to evade the Union Navy: American Battlefield Trust
• Civil War Academy A detailed look at how blockade runners operated and some of the most daring captains who risked it all: Civil War Academy
• Palm Beach County Historical Society Check out their blog post on blockade running at Jupiter Inlet, including stories of Union ship captures: Origins & History of the Palm Beaches

In this episode of Old Florida Now, we dive into the incredible legacy of Bobby Bowden, the legendary coach who transformed Florida State football.

Show Notes - Episode: Bobby Bowden's Legacy

Resources to Learn More About Bobby Bowden:

1. The Bowden Dynasty Explore the life and legacy of Coach Bowden in the documentary The Bowden Dynasty: A Story of Faith, Family & Football. Available to rent or buy on Amazon, iTunes, and Vimeo. Watch here: The Bowden Dynasty Website
2. Books on Bobby Bowden For an in-depth look at how Bowden shaped college football, check out Pigskin Warriors by Steven Travers. He dives into the influence of Bowden and other legendary coaches.
3. Florida State University’s Tribute to Bowden FSU has a dedicated section honoring Bowden’s lasting impact on the university and its football program. Visit here: FSU College of Education: Legacy of Bobby Bowden​FSU College of Education
4. In-depth Articles and Interviews For more detailed articles on Bobby Bowden's achievements, you can visit the Encyclopedia Britannica and The Independent to read about his career and the influence he had on football.Encyclopedia Britannica​The Independent: Bobby Bowden​

What if the fate of the free world came down to a few hundred votes in Florida? In this episode of Old Florida Now, dive into the chaos, controversy, and courtroom battles that made the 2000 election unforgettable.

Here are the direct URLs to the resources mentioned for further reading on the 2000 presidential election recount and related events:

1. History.com - How the U.S. Supreme Court Decided the Presidential Election of 2000: This article covers the role of the U.S. Supreme Court in the recount and the broader implications of their decision in Bush v. Gore.
2. FactCheck.org - The Florida Recount of 2000: Offers a detailed look into the recount process and the study commissioned by media outlets that analyzed the potential outcomes of various recount scenarios.=
3. Oyez Project - Bush v. Gore: Provides transcripts, audio recordings, and an in-depth analysis of the Bush v. GoreSupreme Court decision.
4. CNN - Florida Recount Study (2001): This source covers the findings of a media consortium's recount analysis, shedding light on the potential impact of a full statewide recount. Read the findings here​(
5. 270toWin - 2000 Presidential Election: This page provides a comprehensive overview of the 2000 election results, including maps and details of the electoral vote count.

Why did Florida break away from the Union in 1861? Dive into the heated political landscape that led to Florida’s secession and discover how the state supported the Confederate war effort in surprising ways.

Here are direct URLs to the resources mentioned:

1. Florida Memory - Florida in the Civil War: A great source for primary documents, photos, and a timeline of Florida’s role in the Civil War.
2. Museum of Florida History - Florida in the Civil War: Offers insights into Florida’s economic contributions, military involvement, and life on the home front during the Civil War.
3. American Battlefield Trust - The Role of Florida in the Civil War: Detailed articles that cover Florida’s strategic importance, military actions, and the impact of the Union blockade.
4. Journal of the Proceedings of the Convention of the People of Florida
5. The Causes of the Civil War’ by Kenneth M. Stampp.

Upcoming Season 3 - The Civil War in FL

Ever wondered how a state known for beaches and sunshine became a Halloween hotspot? In this episode of Old Florida Now, we unearth Florida's spooky history—from early traditions to the rise of iconic theme park events. Tune in for a deep dive into the state’s eerie evolution that will leave you ready for a haunted Florida adventure!

Here are the direct URLs for the resources mentioned:

1. Library of Congress - Historical Halloween Photos and Articles
2. National Endowment for the Humanities - Origins of Halloween and Día de los Muertos Learn about Halloween’s global connections and its similarities to Día de los Muertos.
3. History.com - The Evolution of Halloween Detailed history of Halloween, including modern influences and traditions.
4. Florida Halloween Events - Trips to Discover Find out about various Halloween events happening across Florida, from family-friendly to terrifying haunts.

In this episode of Old Florida Now, we explore one of Florida’s most bizarre and mysterious attractions—Spook Hill. Is it an optical illusion or something supernatural? Join us as we unpacks the legends, science, and history behind this strange gravity-defying phenomenon in Lake Wales.

Here are the direct URLs to the resources mentioned:

1. National Park Service - Spook Hill Overview
2. Visit Central Florida - The Legend of Spook Hill
3. Florida Backroads Travel - Spook Hill
4. Visit Florida - Discover Spook Hill

Step inside the historic Capitol Theatre in Clearwater, Florida, where the lines between history and hauntings blur. Join Beau Carter as he unearths chilling tales of ghostly sightings and untold stories that’ll make you think twice about old theaters. Don’t miss this dive into one of Florida’s most eerie landmarks—if you dare!

Here are the direct URLs to the resources mentioned:

1. Haunted History Tour (Clearwater): Learn more and book a haunted trolley tour through Clearwater’s spookiest sites, including the Capitol Theatre.
2. Florida Haunted Houses - Capitol Theatre: Explore firsthand accounts of paranormal experiences at the Capitol Theatre and other haunted locations.
3. Opal Collection Haunted Stories: Dive into haunted history across Florida, including tales from the Capitol Theatre.