Travel Through Time: Florida’s Best Historic Sites
Some of the most ideal and iconic spots in Florida have a very storied and very fascinating past. From brushes with Presidential greatness to elegant and refined theater, it reminds us of human’s ability to travel outside of our own ether - history can evoke wonderful connections to the past. Taking an afternoon or evening playing at some of Florida’s more original and special locations will leave anyone yearning for more.
The Tampa Theater in Tampa has an opulence is that of fairytales. Its breathtaking interior will leave even the most hard-to impressed, gobsmacked. Designed to be a palatial style movie house the theater opened in 1926 but wasn't added to the National Registry of Historic Places until the late 70s. The décor is so ideal it’s been used in movies and music videos and as a stage for acts ranging from Kris Kristofferson to John Legend. The theater also shows classic and current movies along with educational items, tours, and other events. With its uniformed ushers and attendants, it will be easy to feel transported back in time.
In the world of electric cars and computers in our pockets, there once was a time when people, and American's specifically, were obsessed with space and all that came along with the space program. Arguably Cape Canaveral is home to some of America’s largest number of historic moments. The Cape Canaveral Launch 34 Complex is home to many missions but the most famous was Apollo 1. Portions of the Launch 34 have been bought by SpaceX and refurbished. Left as “Abandon in place” means natural deterioration can be seen and no maintenance occurs offering visors the feeling that they are witnessing history. At its peak use during the Kennedy administration, employees claim it's haunted.
Few American authors hold the lore of Ernest Hemingway and his home on Key West. The more notable of the stories related to Hemingway’s uniqueness are the construction of the pool on property and the cats; all of which have 6 toes -known as polydactyl and roam the island. Many are thought to be direct descendants of the most famous, Snow White given to Hemingway by a ship Captain. A show-stopper for sure, the pool was built in the 1930s and was the only in-ground pool for 100 miles. It was in the construction phase of the pool in which Hemingway tossed a penny at his wife Pauline for spending so much money and jokingly referred to it as his "last cent." Open for walk-ins daily it's great to do when Duval is just a bit too much!
The elegance and prestige of Inventors are something folks will never tire of. The Edison and Ford Winter House is a magnificent house set in Fort Meyers is from the late 1880s and was discovered by Thomas Edison in his search for a warm Southern retreat. The celebrated inventor hosted some of the most celebrated names of the time like Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, and Herbert Hoover. The property contains gardens, a laboratory, and an impressive number of buildings as Edison and Ford continued to purchase property and add to their impressive compound. The only one of its kind, the Edison Botanic Research Library is the only National Historic Chemical Landmark. Perfect for any type of day there is also a 15,000 square foot museum on the grounds.
Visiting historic sites are always thought-provoking and educational. Even better than viewing a part of history is staying in a little piece of history – in theory becoming part of it! Florida has multitudes of historic hotels, one for every type of traveler. Some of our favorites are on the National Registry of Historic Places and transport the guest back in time with their service, atmosphere, and up-to-date amenities.
Miami in its mid-century heyday is felt immediately upon entering Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami. A five-star hotel this sprawling property is directly on the Atlantic. The ocean-front hotel is in the heart of what is known as Millionaire's Row and is breathing taking with its sweeping curved white structures. Opened in 1954, it was a resort before its time. Famous for a stairway "leading to nowhere” and the originator of Miami glitz and glamour, the 17,000 square foot lobby is will leave even the most seasoned of travelers impressed. Like any beautiful location, the hotel has been home to major blockbusters including Goldfinger – if James Bond wants to stay here, it speaks volumes! Rumored to be a party pad for some of the most famous names in the last century – Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Judy Garland – the rumor still holds true. Musical events and DJs draw some of the most current stars of our day.
Charm and romance often go hand in hand and that is the case at the historic Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora. The Most Historic Hotel in Florida seemingly holds keys to the past. A Grand Victorian Era hotel, there are 90 rooms and suites set in five beautifully painted buildings. The original hotel happily opened its doors in the 1880s in a time when the southern part of the country was still rebuilding from the Civil War. Opened during a time when only the well-to-do traveled the focus on providing exceptional service is still very much paramount. The most notable guest has been Calvin Coolidge and his wife who chose to stay for an entire month. Moviegoers will also recognize the Inn from the film Honky Tonk Freeway. Old school elegance is clear walking around the grounds walking through The Oaks and strolling down the boardwalk. The oldest consecutively running hotel in the state, even though the depression means that almost any request can be met.
Gorgeous opulence is in no short supply at The Breakers in Palm Beach. Opened by a business tycoon made wealthy from his time in oil, real estate, and railroad the doors were opened right before the turn of the twentieth century. A Renaissance-style hotel it has over 500 rooms. The current architecture can be attributed to New York designers Shultz and Weaver who would later design the infamous Waldorf-Astoria on Park Avenue New York City. One of their more famous additions to the hotel was the main lobby- measuring at around 200 feet its size alone was impressive. Its jaw-dropping effect is in the incredibly detailed paintings that adorn the ceiling. The work of art is actually the works of many Italian artists. Initially the Palm Beach Inn, the hotel changed its name about five years after opening since guests could then obtain rooms “down by the breakers” – meaning the place where the water and land collided causing the waves to crash and send wonderful salty ocean spray up into the air. On the National Register of Historic Places in Florida, a stay here can only be described as quintessential Palm Beach. It's the perfect place to "break out" some new resort wear and stay at a Florida landmark all while being treated to the magnificent luxuries and service that holdover from a time when glamour and service were delivered.
Links
tampatheatre.org
afspacemuseaum.org
hemingwayhome.com
edisonfordwinterestates.org
fontainebleau.com
lakeside-inn.com
thebreakers.com
