Florida History in Black and White Photos

Photo above: Landing of Steamers, Tampa City, Fla, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views.

Before there were any roads and railways in the state of Florida, rivers were used to transport the goods and people.

Photo above: Marion sternwheeler 1873 Ocklawaha River Florida.

Description: "On the Ocklawaha River, Florida." 1873. "The richly variegated colors of the far-extending thickets were mirrored so completely in the water, that we seemed suspended or floating over an enchanted forest. The clumps of saplings garnished with vines; the stately bosquets of palms, now growing a score together on a little hillock, and now standing apart, like sentinels; the occasional magnolias; the long swamp-ways out of which barges, rowed by negroes, would come to receive the mail, and into which they vanished again, the oarsmen hardly exchanging a word with our captain; the fierce-faced, bearded men, armed with rifles and revolvers, who sometimes hailed us from a point of land, to know if we "wanted any meat," and showed us deer and turkeys, and perhaps the skin of a gray wolf or a black bear,--all these novelties of the tropics and the backwoods kept us in perplexed wonder. When evening came slowly on again, a round moon silvered the water, and enabled us to see even the ducks that floated half submerged, and curiously eyed our little boat. By day, one sees hundreds of turtles, as on the St. John's, sunning themselves. The birds are legion. They chatter in the tree-tops; they offer themselves freely as marks for revolver-bullets; they scold at night as the torchlight awakes them; and they accompany the echo of each unsuccessful shot with loud derisive singing."

Photo above: Steaming down Oklawaha River, Florida, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views - from about 1870.

The 110-mile-long Ocklawaha River was extensively used for steam boat transportation in Florida during 1800s and early 1900s. The River is constrictive and winding so the narrow steamboats were used.

The wild and scenic trip with sense of adventure attracted many prominent figures like Thomas A. Edison, Harriet Beecher Stove, Ulysses S. Grant, and Mary Todd Lincoln to take a trip to Silver Springs form Palatka around 1870s.

The popularity of this river route declined after the arrival of railway service to Ocala in 1881.

Photo above: Ferry boats across river, Tampa, Florida, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views.

In Old Florida, roads only existed in the city and for a few miles outside the city. Beyond that limit only paths and trails were available.

Photo above: Canal in the South of Florida Connecting Indian River with Mosquito Inlet, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views.

Photo above: A Palmetto Glade Near Palatka, Florida, a duotone print from America's Wonderlands, Historical Publishing Company, Philadelphia, PA - from 1893.

Photo above: "Public Square, St. Augustine." Lithograph from The History and Antiquities of the City of Saint Augustine, Florida (New York, 1858).

Photo above: Florida, the land of flowers and tropical scenery. Productions of St. Augustine, Florida.

Photo above: Uncle Jack, or the Oldest inhabitant of St. Augustine, Florida

Photo above: An Hour's search; or, Aunt Venue hunting for Florida fleas

Photo above: Oyster fisher, young boy. Description: A young oyster fisher [?] Others smaller employed in busy season. Apalachicola, Fla. Randsey Summerford says he starts out at 4 A.M. one day, is out all night in the little oyster boat and back next day some time. Gets a share of the proceeds. Said he was 16 years old and been at it 4 years. Lives in Georgia and is here 6 months a year. Location: Apalachicola, Florida.

Photo above: Picking cotton, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views. Florida, the land of flowers and tropical scenery.

Photo above: Young Cigarmakers in January of 1909 in Englahardt & Co., Tampa, Fla. There boys looked under 14. Work was slack and youngsters were not being employed much. Labor told me in busy times many small boys and girls are employed. Youngsters all smoke (see 565). Witness Sara R. Hine. Location: Tampa, Florida.

Photo above: View of an advertisement for the Great Atlantic Coast Line railroad, by Ober Brothers (Fernandina, Florida) - around 1875.

Photo above: Florida east coast causeway to Key West (CJ Allen, Steel Highway, 1928)

Photo above: Henry Bradley Plant developer and railroad builder on Florida's west coast.

Photo above: Florida East Coast Railway Overseas Railroad relief train derailed near Islamorada, Florida during the 1935 Labor Day hurricane.

Photo above: Middle Florida scenery along the line of the Jacksonville, Pensacola and Mobile Railroad. Street, Tallahassee, Fla. (view of Spanish-moss-covered trees), from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views.

Photo above: A school class at The Chaires School in Chaires, Leon County, Florida. The only high school in Leon County until 1885. In the lower right is Mr. Woodberry, the principal. Foster G. Davis is in the upper right wearing the derby hat. Taken in late 19th century.

Photo above: Florida Governor Marcellus Stearns, his cabinet, and staff in 1874 - greet Harriet Beecher Stowe on the steps of the Capitol Building. Stowe is on the sixth step on the right, dressed in black.

Photo above: Log cabin, Florida, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views.

Photo above: A Picturesque Southern home, Florida, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views.

Photo above: View of homes, Key West, Florida.), from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views.