Apalachicola, FL
“More than 900 historic homes and buildings from the National Historic District, dating from the 1830s, can be seen on the city’s walking tour. Included are cotton warehouses, which housed Apalachicola’s cotton export during the 1800s, a sponge exchange and Victorian homes of former lumber magnates...
Mom, dad and I couldn't believe how many grand Victorian homes that were still standing although some were better maintained than others...Mom especially loved the way some of these "painted ladies" were painted! Behind the Orman house was a lovely botanical garden with a wonderful walking path and next to it was a Veteran's Memorial Park.
“On our way inside Orman House we stopped to feel the cotton plants growing along the path to the front porch -- a nod to the 1830s when Apalachicola was the third-largest cotton shipping port in the United States, after New Orleans and Mobile Ala.
Ranger Roundtree told us that we were free to roam the grounds and peak in the windows since the house wasn't currently open. Mom took him literally, and took these photos through the windows. Me, I was sniffing out the cats and other critters roaming around...
Mom was charmed by the blocks on the child's highchair...She realized after taking the one photo; she had taken a Dali like self portrait, if you can find it?
This family was definitely well off in their day, judging by all the furnishings and possessions.
Mom was reminded reading this African American information that wealthy families whose sons went into the Confederate Army often took at least one of their slaves. So sad...
"Historic Apalachicola has many fine old homes and buildings dating back to the 1830s. A scenic walking tour of the town acquaints visitors to sites such as cotton warehouses which housed the City's once prosperous cotton export during the 1800s..." It was incredible how many of the warehouses were still standing, but repurposed for other businesses now...
We weren't able to get into the John Gorrie Museum State Park "A young physician named John Gorrie moved to Apalachicola in the early 1830s when it was a prominent port of trade, commerce and shipping in Florida.
Gorrie was deeply involved in his adopted community, serving as postmaster, city treasurer, town councilman and bank director. By 1841, concern for his yellow fever patients motivated Gorrie to invent a method for cooling their sick rooms. He became a pioneer in the field of air conditioning and refrigeration by inventing a mechanical device that produced ice. Dr. Gorrie received the first U.S. patent for mechanical refrigeration in 1851.
Today, a replica of his ice-making machine and other Gorrie artifacts are on display at the museum. We are also proud to showcase temporary exhibits chronicling the history of the Florida Park Service, which plays a vital role in preserving and interpreting the Real Florida!" Mom said she would have gone to see the early ice machine for sure!!!
Mom was able to go through the Raney House Museum which gave her a more expanded view of the cotton trade in this city in the 1830's. This beautiful Greek Revival was built in 1836.
Mom has a soft spot for children's rocking horses
She found the handmade quilts exquisite and the information about a how much comes out of a cotton bale interesting...
I showed mom this pretty butterfly hanging out by the sidewalk
It was such a great walking town and I loved smelling it all
Of course we took time to eat...dad had to have his oysters. In this case, three different ways...Mom had to check out the Old Soda Fountain...hard to believe, but she didn't get anything but her souvenir magnetics and me, a couple of handmade dog biscuits. YEAH!!!
Our last stop in town was to drive down to Scipio Creek...again, mom has a love affair with working fishing boats...
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