The National Register of Historic Places and FLORIDA'S TREASURES
FLORIDA'S TREASURES ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER, written by Bea Hartman and Bess Carver, derives from the National Register listings for Florida. All of the current Florida entries are described in the book and many photographs are included which show prominent examples of Florida architecture, from the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, America's first city, to the lavish creations of Palm Beach architects. The authors traveled the state photographing all of the sites and then researched each for the book's site descriptions. Included is the unique feature of a historical introduction to each county. Due to be published in 2011, the guide to Florida's most important historical structures will create a visitor's plan for seeing the state's architectural treasures as they were developed---first across the northern tier of counties and then southward following the early paths of the Plant and Flagler railways. Enjoy your visit to Florida or enhance your knowledge of Florida's past by touring the sites we heartily recommend to you!
MY FORTUNE COOKIES
I'm not really superstitious (most of the time), but since I love oriental food and the surroundings in oriental restaurants, I am often drawn to them---the delicious concoctions, so different from Western cuisine and ambiance of dragon motifs, giant murals of the Great Wall and chopsticks just carry me away to another world, where everything seems possible....
So, to receive the fortune that I did so near the beginning of my quest for 'Florida's Treasures on the National Register', to me seemed quite fortuitous! Presented at the end of an exceptional meal of moo shu pork and sake, it was delivered by a kimono-clad oriental beauty on a small ebony tray. I received the fortune cookie with anticipation, as I always do, but cracked open the cookie to find the most revealing and prophetic fortune of my life: 'YOU HAVE A CHARMING WAY WITH WORDS AND SHOULD WRITE A BOOK...'
Since that event, some five years ago, my book on the National Register sites in Florida has been delivered to the publisher and is being considered by readers at this writing.
I was reminded of this fortune by the receipt of another fortune cookie just yesterday which proclaims that 'Action is the proper fruit of knowledge'. This seems quite appropriate to my current activities in writing this blog and spreading the hope that our national and state treasures will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.
One thing that makes our journey so memorable is the many unexpected 'finds' along the way....this old building was added to a North Florida National Register site for its preservation and as a point of interest---so few of these relics from the past exist that they must be restored and maintained so that future generations can see how our forefathers lived and the buildings they constructed for their living and livelihoods....
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