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"FloridaPast Citrus Industry Tour"

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'one pick-n-fade at a time'

Visit Lake Mirror in Lakeland, FloridaPast
Just click on the Free Orange Juice Sign

Click to go Lakeside for Free OJ
FREE FRESH FLORIDA ORANGE JUICE - LAKE MIRROR LAKELAND
Visit our Citrus Label Offerings after your Tour
Send a Link to a Friend

We will give you a glimpse into the biggest industry of FloridaPast and Present
CITRUS - AGRICULTURE - FARMING
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FloridaPast Citrus Industry...
There are Many writings on this subject.
In a few words, it is the Foundation of Florida's Economy. But more importantly, we must reflect the FloridaPast Citrus Industry.
When it was Ma & Pa Roadside. That WAS AMERICA in Her FINEST OF TIMES!
Entire Families were kept together, as One, because of Citrus.
Tourism Flourished for Many a Decade, because of Citrus. Railroads, Ships, Boats, Trucks and so  on.
When we All start to think along these terms, the Reality Side of it, we Will Most Certainly Gain a Everlasting Appreciation for FloridaPast,

and see things in a different Ray of  Sun-Light.
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Before we move on, I would like to THANK, with All Sincerity,
the Folks that worked Hard to Preserve and Share their work.
These photographs, images, movies, clips, commercials and slide shows,
are just a small sampling of the dedication to the preservation of FloridaPast.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH!
A Special Thanks to FloridaMemoryProject, State Archives
For without the sharing of FloridaPast photographs,
We couldn't reflect the Past.....


Our Project of Placing NOW & THEN FADE-OVERS,
is On Going. Since we lost all our actual Fades,
we are basically starting over creating Fade-Overs,

If anyone knows of a particular Roadside Citrus Stand,
Please let us know where it once stood.


Some images belong to others. When we know the source, we will post.
As we share, please give proper credits.
Remember, It's Not a FloridaPast Fade-Over, unless it was Created by FloridaPast.

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Smiley Say'z, Click Me
to visit us on Facebook

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Share your photos, stories, history,
or just come for the fun of it

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Click to visit page that this is For Sale on
This Rare piece of Citrus History is For Sale
Clicking brings you to the page this is For Sale on
Click image to go to page where it's For Sale

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VERY INTERESTING FLORIDA CITRUS MUTUAL HISTORY

FLORIDA CITRUS MUTUAL - LAKELAND, FloridaPast
The Great Freeze of 1894-95 ruined many of the groves throughout Florida. Production dropped to a mere 147 thousand boxes in 1895. As a result, growers began their gradual move to locations farther south in the state. By 1910, the crops had returned to pre-freeze production levels.
Knock on the doors at the Florida Citrus Mutual, above, to learn more about FloridaPast's Citrus Industry.
Credit underlying text to Florida Citrus Mutual

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Click here to Read about some of the Founders of Florida Citrus - Florida State Horticultural Society of 1964
Click here to learn some very interesting history on various FloridaPast Citrus Packing House History

Just Love the Sweetness of FloridaPast Citrus
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Dr. Phillips of Orlando, FloridaPast
We want to Thank Troy Finnegan, from Dr. Phillips Charities.
Who supplied us with the Exact Location of Dr. Phillips' Juice Stand in Orlando.

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Dr. Phillips on his own crate label
We borrowed a few words of history about Dr. Phillips.
And encourage you to further read at the link following.
"
The young Dr. Phillips came to Florida in 1894, where he purchased his first orange grove in Satsuma. One of the most devastating freezes in Florida's history occurred in the following year. Two days of below-freezing temperatures destroyed his citrus trees forcing the young doctor back home to Tennessee.  He returned to Florida in 1897, this time moving further south to Central Florida.  He purchased land in Osceola County. This was the beginning of a citrus empire spanning several counties, with more than 5,000 acres of citrus groves and two packing houses. In 1905, Dr. P. Phillips purchased a grove on the south side of Sand Lake in Orange County." ................
Please give Credit to, and Click here to read Dr. Phillips' History
Click to visit Dr. Phillips' history page
Meet Mrs. Della Phillips
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a younger Dr. Phillips

Click to visit source of Dr. Phillips' photo and learn more history
and Dr. Philip Phillips
It might get larger if you click it
One of the various advertisements that Dr. Phillips used
Click to see where this once was, Now & Then
Dr. Phillips' Citrus Juice Stand, Orlando, FloridaPast 1953
Click the postcard image to your' right, for a Now & Then Fade.
Take note, that the placement isn't exact. Google map didn't map this area yet. We'll update the placement when Google updates their map. We are Close. According to Troy Finnegan of Dr. Phillips' Foundation, the packing house sat just about where Cedar's Restaurant is today. The restaurant windows that we are peering through now, actually look out at Cedars. The actual view we see on this postcard, would have been taken from the Lake's edge, looking toward W. Sand Lake Road. 
CLICK THIS LINE TO SEE an Actual Photograph of the Packing Plant, published in 
Historic Orange County:The Story of Orlando and Orange County. and to read more of Doc Phillips' History. CLICK THIS LINE TO READ Dr. Phillips' Foundation Newsletters. Once again, a Sincere Thanks to Troy Finnegan for all his help with these Now & Then Fades of Dr. Phillips, FloridaPast.

The woman below, serving out Fresh Orange Juice, sometime during 1950, at Dr. Phillips' citrus stand, which was on Sand Lake Road in Orlando.
The stand she is in, was just a few yards from the packing house, just above, right. To be cont......
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Photo credit, Dr. Phillips Foundation

Dr. Phillips Orange Juice
​Example of a Rare Can

a can we sold a few years ago
Dr. Phillips Orange Juice
Two Different Dr. Phillips Soda Pop Bottles
Thirs-Tamer - Bottled by Dr. Phillips Canning Co. Orlando
​From our personal SodaPopBottles Collection

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bottled by Dr. Phillips Canning Co. Orlando
Part of SodaPopBottles.com Collection
Dr. Phillips Thirs-Tamer SodaPop
Click to see a Now & Then Fade
Dr. Phillips' Packing House 1930s era on Little Sand Lake
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Datson Dairies, Delivering Milk to Dr. Phillips Home in Orlando, 1935
The photograph above, shows Datson Dairies, delivering milk to Dr. Phillips home, in Orlando.
You can Click on it, and you'll be able to see a
Now & Then Fade of this moment captured back in 1935
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A View of Dr. Phillips' Express Station
his groves and Packinghouse in Orlando

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Click to see a Now & Then Fade where this Famed Roadside Citrus Drive Trough Was
Clicking on image brings you to a Now & Then Fade
CLICK THIS LINE TO READ DR. PHILLIPS LEGACY MAGAZINE
Click for a Now & Then Fade
Dr. Phillips' Canning Plant at North Orange Avenue and Princeton Street Orlando, 1930s era - Click for a Now & Then Fade

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ALEX'S CITRUS PLANT & GIFT SHOP

Click to Fade from today to yesterday
Alex's Citrus Packing Plant & Gift Shop early 1960s era
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Just Gotta' Love the Old Florida Roadside Stands.
Most all are gone now, but happy to know,
that there are few that still remain,
doing business the Old School Way.
Such as Alex's today.

We borrowed a few words of their history to share with you here;
"In 1927 Floyd L. Wray opened Flamingo Groves in Fort Lauderdale which became one of the leaders in the citrus industry, grafting new varieties of citrus and opening the way to the modern trend of gift fruit shipping. In 1959, we started out at Island Farm Groves in Davie and then in 1963 opened Alex's Citrus Packing Plant in Dania Beach."
CREDIT HISTORY/TEXT TO & VISIT FLAMINGO GROVE'S WEBSITE

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Floyd L. and Jane Wray's Flamingo Groves & Botanical Gardens

Hold still girls, we wanna take a picture for FloridaPast
FLAMINGO GROVES - Ft. Lauderdale, FloridaPast
Click on the image, and we'll go where these folks where once
Picking Fresh Oranges from Flamingo Groves to send to you - Click to Fade Back
The black and white photograph to your right, --->
​was shared on Facebook Historic Florida X.

Within the thread of this share, ELizabeth Kostecki
 adds;
"
Thank you for sharing the photo which is included in the Flamingo Groves/Flamingo Gardens Archives and also for including correct information, well done!"

'Based on the small size of the trees, the photo is tentatively dated as circa 1928-1929. It is
 part of a panoramic photo published in a newspaper which incorrectly stated the groves were started in 1926 (the first tree was planted in February, 1927). The man in white in the center is C.P. Hammerstein, Vice President of Sales, Flamingo Groves. Floyd L. Wray is in the first row of trees behind the hood of the first car."
"By the way, if anyone has photos of their visits to Flamingo Groves or early Flamingo Gardens send them to [email protected] so they can be included in the archives. Please include an approximate date, family name, and recollections so that information can be noted as well."

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From our collection, an original Floyd L. Wray Flamingo Groves Field Crate.
Much like those in the photograph above. This crate is now back home, in the Floyd Wray Home Museum, for all to appreciate.
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Facebook's Florida's Historical Markers, aka, Vale Tim Fillmon photograph
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Click on image to view larger
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click to view larger
Flamingo Gardens started out as Flamingo Groves, a Citrus Grove, by Floyd L. and Jane Wray in 1927. Since history has been well documented, we'll include some links to the better sites that discuss the Flamingo Groves' History.
This is one of the Better Sites -> Flamingo Gardens Blog
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​BOTANICAL GARDENS & EVERGLADES WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Click on the Flamingo, Gently, and Go to where this Smiling Gal was
Floyd Wray's Flamingo Groves Entrance
Picture
man in white in the center is C.P. Hammerstein, Vice President of Sales, Flamingo Groves. Floyd L. Wray is in the first row of trees behind the hood of the first car
It's a must to Visit Flamingo Garden's History Blog. They share some Wonderful Old Photographs and History, from the start with one citrus tree, to where and what it became today. So grab a snack and some O.J., and prepare to Enjoy  your day. Just click this blurb.
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See some Beautiful Photographs
that Visitors of current day have shared online!
It's a Wonderful Click-Through Album.
Just Click Anywhere Here!

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The Wray Home Museum Historical Marker
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Peacocks at Floyd Wray Home Museum Vale Tim Fillmon photo

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Lang's Roadside Fruit Shop Lake Alfred FloridaPast
This is one of my Favorite Now & Then Fades
Perfect Fitting-Fade
Give it a click, and see what you think

This Fade takes us back into the 1970s era.,
out front of Lang's Fruit Shop in Lake Alfred FloridaPast.
Personally I Love this photograph. Almost as though we are there, heading across the road to pick some citrus, and get some free samples
from Mary & Joe Lang. The Nicest people you want to meet......
Back when Ma and Pa Ruled America's Roadsides.

Honestly I didn't think I would find any information about Lang's.
But Lo Behold, we did, and as you can see, it's still in the family, and the little home still stands.....
I had to borrow some history from their website to share for educational purposes.

"Lang Sun Country Groves was opened in 1951 by Mary & Joe Lang.
Lang’s has been handed down through the generations.
The business can be traced back to the early 1930’s
when Joe Lang cleared his first land by hand with a grubbing hoe.
Early on the Families plan was to grow a wide variety of citrus
and with the groves located in central Florida,
the trees received just the right amount of sunshine and rain."

Please credit this history, and visit here ->
https://www.langsuncountry.com/pages/our-story
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Get ready for a ride.......
Lang's Roadside Fruit Shop Lake Alfred FloridaPast - Love This Fade!
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Click on images, either to Enlarge or to see a Now & Then Fade

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Content Smiles from a FloridaPast Time
This was the day before that day, after the other day, on that day. ok!
ANOTHER VIEW OF ORANGE BLOSSOM GROVES - LARGO, FloridaPast
That's Tom. He just got here. Wanted us to take his photograph by his new car. He wants a Crate of Oranges to take home
ORANGE BLOSSOM GROVES - LARGO, FloridaPast
Can Ya'll remember your childhood Family Daze....
It's a Family Affair - The PERFECT EVERYTHING!
Anywhere in FloridaPast, one would see Pickers like this, throughout the Orange & Grapefruit Groves
A Early View, of a Typical FloridaPast Citrus Grove Scene

Disney's Donald Duck
1946 ad
Promoting Florida Citrus Canners' Donald Duck Juice

click
These old ads are the Greatest Find for piecing together the puzzle of history

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Waverly Citrus Packing House
Waverly, FloridaPast n FloridaPresent


Click images to see Now & Then Fades

Click these Gals Gently, and you can visit them Now & Then
Smiling Dixie Belles Welcome Us to Waverly Packing House
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Step back, and see the Smiling Citrus Queen Gals Click Image to see where this moment was captured
Borrowing some Wonderful First Hand History to share;
___________________________
"Locals describe their dwelling place as the working community for Waverly Growers. The late W.C. Pedersen, the primary founder of Waverly Growers, recorded a little history regarding the Waverly area in an undated article he wrote for Waverly’s 40th anniversary booklet.
“The village of Waverly and the citrus industry that surrounds it might be said to have been started by the Indians,” Pedersen recorded. “This crossing place attracted scouts, hunters, turpentiners, lumbermen, pioneer homesteaders and cattlemen.”
Pedersen logged that for the first 75 years, Waverly was known as the way to get from Florida’s west coast to the Kissimmee River and was called “Kissimmee Road.”
Pedersen recalled in his excerpts that in 1882,
a gentleman by the name of Asa Gibbons settled Waverly. A F.W. Ohlinger established his home there in 1884 and used his house as the first Waverly post office in 1895. Ohlinger also was named Waverly’s first postmaster. Another Pedersen note says that Waverly was settled 16 years before the town of Lake Wales was incorporated."

CLICK HERE
to learn more about Waverly Citrus History
Please credit above history text to Florida Citrus Mutual

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From an actual photo - Click to visit a Now & Then
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​Marion's Indian River Fruit - Bonded Fruit Shippers
​Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida

Click to Visit a Now & Then Fade
Marion's Fruit Stand - Click image to See it today
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Fittings Indian River Fruit Stand
Kings Highway, Fort Pierce, FloridaPast
Owners are Earle T. Field Jr. and Theresa M. Field

Click to see a Now & Then
Fittings Citrus Fruit Stand on 1840 S. Kings Hwy Fort Pierce FloridaPast

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WEVER GROVES PACKING HOUSE & FRUIT EMPORIUM - ST. PETERSBURG

Click to see a Now & Then Fade
Artist' rendition from a photo, night time, 1940s era - Click for a Now & Then Viewing
A Cool Artist' rendition of the once popular Wever Groves, Open Air Market, and Fruit Emporium, here in St. Pete, during the 1940s era.
Unusual to see a night scene like this. More often than not, the Artist used a photograph to work from. Giving us the close to exact image.
Unfortunately, this entire block long building, was demolished back in 1977, to make way for what you see now, a parking lot.
The market was run by Evelyn and Earl Satterfield, up until the demise of the building. Geared toward the Tourist industry, but with friendly smiling service for the local Folk.
Millege D. Wever, who came from Leesburg, Florida, in the early part of 1900s era, had his packing house right behind the open air market here. Millege had planted citrus groves, where Memorial Park is now. He and his son, Milton or known by friends, "Woody" Wever, ran this place for many years, until Woody sold out to the Satterfields.
Read some more history about Wevers' here at the St. Pete Times

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Click Here to Buy and Preserve Your Own FloridaPast Citrus History
With Original Citrus Crate and Wrap Labels

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The Horn of Plenty of FloridaPast Beauty

The First Mind's Image of FloridaPast
The Beauty of FloridaPast is a 'Horn of Plenty'
When we close our eyes, and envision FloridaPast,
we vision the Pretty Women,
and the Sweet Taste of Florida Citrus!
FloridaPast, "The Horn of Plenty"

DESOTO GROVES & MURDOCK FLA POST OFFICE
Click Here to read a Great story about the history of the Murdock Post Office, with a touch of Desoto Groves History.

Picture
A Great but Sad Now & Then Faded Moment Desoto Groves and Murdock Post Office Click to Visit back in the 1970s

The Port Charlotte Commercial Historical Society shares a Great Overhead photograph of this section of town. Showing the original building used here.
Click this for Photo View.

Such Beauty - Such Beauty
A couple Southern Belle Sweethearts - St. Pete, FloridaPast
A place in time, that I would spend my lazy daze... Yes'r, I wood!
INDIAN ROCKS FRUITS - INDIAN ROCKS, FloridaPast - circa 1948 - GROVES - PACKING PLANT - PALM GARDEN
Umm Umm Citrus Marmalades - What? Candy, Jellies, REFRESHMENTS? UMM UMM UMM UMM UMMMMMM!! Yahhhhh......
Showing what Indian Rocks Fruits offered it's tourists of FloridaPast, 1948
ALL ABOARD the Train to FloridaPast, via. Orange Grove Terrritory
MID-WINTER SCENE, TRAVELING THROUGH AND ORANGE GROVE OF FloridaPast -
Grow em - Pick em - Pack em - Load em - Ship em - Umm em
Trains through FloridaPast groves were a common entity back in the day. Made it much easier loading and shipping Florida Citrus
Come-on-in-Ya'll - Come right on in
CHUCK and BILL - GROWERS PACKERS SHIPPERS - KISSIMMEE, FloridaPast
Givin' Ya'llz a glimpse of Chester's Prices from FloridaPast timez
CHESTER GROVES - City Point, FloridaPast PRICES FOR SHIPPING
We are now open for business
Vachon Groves - Roadside Citrus Stand - WEST PALM BEACH - FloridaPast
Good Morn'in Ya'll - OJ is Poured, way'tin for ya
LEE'S CITRUS FRUITS - LAKE WALES - FloridaPast - circa 1953
So Picture-esk, I'm gonna get up before the Roosters tomorrow, and head on over this place for the night.
CITRUS MOTOR LODGE - U.S. 41, Tampa, FloridaPast - SLEEP IN AN ORANGE GROVE
What a FloridaPast Citrus Tour that must'a bin....
And yet, another time in time, FloridaPast Folks have a Good Time!
Where'd'it all go? What I wanna know.....
Dania, FloridaPast - Roadside Southern Palm Farms Fruit Stand
Early Morn'in, juss naw ohp'ind
Lake Placid - Fruit Stand Gift Shop FloridaPast
Stop on in hea', and we'll give you a TOUR of our Grove and some Free Juice and a Smile
Chester Groves - ROADSIDE CITRUS STAND - CITY POINT FloridaPast circa 1940s
Our Fruits is juss a nice as our grounds
Wise Fruit Co. Roadside Citrus Stand Sarasota, FloridaPast
Bird's eye view, juss fo' you
William's Groves Roadside Citrus Store - LARGO FloridaPast - circa 1952
Heah' Ya'll get is All - Good Gulf Gas - Great Taste'in Citrus and a FloridaPast Smile
The Florieda - Boynton Beach FloridaPast - Gulf Gas & Citrus Stand
How high can you climb?
and this Folks, is the way of FloridaPast
These guys worked HARD ALL DAY, to bring us the Umm Umm Florida Citrus
A Typical FloridaPast Citrus Packing House - There were many of these packing houses throughout FloridaPast. - These men Worked Hard. Everything done by hand, including the building of the citrus crates - Back in the day when men were MEN!

 Lake Hamilton Citrus Growers near Dundee FloridaPast
Click on photo for a Now & Then "Fade"

FloridaMemoryProject Photograph

Click on links below for interesting history given through the Seald Sweet Chronicle
Seald-sweet chronicle ( December 1, 1930 )
Seald-sweet chronicle ( August 15, 1930 )

Such a Beautiful FloridaPast day, but Work Must Go On
And here we have the True FloridaPast "Cracker" Cracking the whip to move the Oxen along. From Grove, to Packing House to Market. Amazing how far it's come.
From that time of FloridaPast, to this time of FloridaPast - The difference is Huge!
More Modern FloridaPast times in the Citrus Industry
Git in line Gentz, we got a BIG FloridaPast Day ahead of us
PLANT CITY STATE FARMER'S MARKET - FloridaPast, MUCH LIKE A FEW FARM'ARKETS THAT STILL REMAIN IN FloridaPresent!

1940 Out Front of Citrus World - Lake Wales
Click on Donald Duck Truck for a Now & Then Fade

Click to see a Now & Then Fade
It seems as though the water tower still stands, with very little changes - FloridaMemoryProject State archives photo

Donald Duck Juice, in the earliest years of use.
As history is obtained, we'll share at Source Link below.
-----
For now, we borrowed some history about Citrus World.
In the 1940s era, the World was at it's Second War.
"So to provide juice for the military during this World War, Citrus World, built a citrus juice concentrate plant in Lake Wales, FloridaPast."

Learn it's history through the decades here - 
http://www.floridasnatural.com/who-we-are/history
__________________
Do you know any of these Gents?
Any history? Stories?
If so, we invite you to share with our FloridaPast.com Facebook Community.

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It was the PERFECT FloridaPast Morning.... Ahhhhhhhhhhh
On a crisp clear Beautiful morning, we pick
The Hard workers harvesting Florida Citrus for market. Your Breakfast table....
A Typical FloridaPast Citrus Harvest

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Love this GrabShot (tm) Tour. 
You will too.
This is how one mixes FloridaPast with FloridaPresent, and together, we Preserve for Our FloridaFuture.


View Larger Map

Click here for the history and images of Blue Goose Growers

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This next group of images, we shot ourselves, in April of 2011
We were traveling North on Highway 301, between Coleman and Wildwood
The first image will be the first billboard sign, which is original to FloridaPast.
Re-Painted through the many years standing.
Back in the day, when Burma-Shave Advertising was in it's Glory.
FloridaPast highways and bi-ways were filled with this type of advertising.
These signs are for The Cherokee Trading Post
At the interesection of 301 and Floirda's Turnpike
Unfortunately, this place is just about under.
No longer in Full Swing, as it once was, back in the FloridaPast days....
These billboards are about 1/2 mi. or so apart, until you finally reach the place.

The First Sign, Heading North on Rt. 301
On your right, heading north on Rt. 301, out of Coleman going toward Wildwood
ALLIGATOR PRODUCTS - One of FloridaPast's most Famous Attractions for the Northerners
This is the third sign. Again, heading North on 301 toward Wildwood
As you see it, is how it looks this moment
Off to the right, there is a bit of life. Small operation still exists
It's a
As these signs of FloridaPast depict, this was once a Thriving Business
Everything FloridaPast Stands for, was right here
Now if I had this place......... It WOULD BE HOPPIN' - FloridaPast Hop'in too
Just as all the FloridaPast Cherokee signages were re-painted through the years, so was this Mailbox
This Old Cherokee Trading Post Mailbox, is still being used today!
I SO MUCH WANTED TO CROP OUT THE BP SIGN... BUT... it is what it is
This would be the second billboard heading north on 301
The last billboard before destination
This would be the last sign before destination
Sorry Folks, No more gasoline - Hadda' cloze' it down
There is still a little life left here at this place
Time, Mother Nature and Wayside are taking toll
as we drove around back, adjoining property, which was also a gas station. CLOSED UP
This is where Citrus and Souvenirs were sold
The Citrus and Souvenir Building - Hey, did ya notice Donald Duck hanging?
Another view of this Great old mailbox
When you enLarge this photo, you can see the "ghost" painting of FloridaPast gone bye

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These two photos are of the Orange Center
Jct. 301 N., Florida Turnpike, Wildwood
Right next door to the Failing Cherokee Trading Post

A Little Less FloridaPast than Cherokee Trading Post is
Not so much FloridaPast, but, it has the look
The sign you first see when exiting Florida's Turnpike, Wildwood exit.
A SIGN I WOULD LIKE TO OWN MYSELF

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SPARKMAN'S
FRUIT SOUVENIRS & GIFTS
then and now

Click for a Great Now and Then Fade
Click on the Fruit Sign for a Now & Then Fade of Sparkman's
FRIENDLY Home Town Family Service, WITH a SMILE! It's PRICELESS Folks, Priceless.......
A Nice Family Operated, Home Town Roadside Stand

Click this image to get telephone number, address, current information and customer comments
for Sparkman's Fruit in Sumterville, FloridaPast

I had the opportunity today to talk with the family owner. What a Treat! He told me this will be continued by his son, who now is growing Organically.
Sparkman's Fruit, as it is today. Where you still get that Old FloridaPast Friendly Service. Roadside, 301 Sumterville, FloridaPast
Not just Citrus, Nope, Dey'allz Got CUKES, Ta'MATERS, UN-YUNS AND ALL
Remember, this is located on 301 Sumterville, FloridaPast
It's ALL ABOUT PRESERVING FloridaPast's History, in ANY WAY we CAN!
When you enter, it's a Step Back in Time. Here you'll find some Wonderful FloridaPast Souvenirs to take back home. Shells, Coconut Heads, and all types of Jellies and Such. KEEP FloridaPast ALIVE, and when in the area, Stop By and Buy something from these Folks.

This little place is right off I-75
Sumterville-Coleman exit, East to 301

When strolling around, you are brought back to FloridaPast, both in Mind, and Being.
Taking 470 East from I-75, at the junction of 301, take a right, south, apx. 1/2 mile on right.
You can continue South on 301 to Any South Florida Destination.
See that sign in the two photos below?
It's been there awhile, if it's still there when you come through, that's were you take a right.
​Enjoy and Be Safe!


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Photo taken Oct. 22, 2017
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I say, the rougher it looks, the Better - Reminds us of FloridaPast in FloridaPresent

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The Orange Shop on U.S. 301 Citra
Still going today

Clicking on either photo of The Orange Shop, will take you to a Now & Then Faded Moment, with the Slide of the Fade-Bar
Click here to visit our FloridaPast Facebook Share, and read some of the comments and stories from folks that know of this Famed place.
Click to see a Now & Then Fade
The Orange Shop sometime during the 1950s era
Click to visit
a capture sometime during 1970s era. - Click to see a Perfect Fitting-Fade Now & Then
FloridaPast.com says click on image to visit a Now & Then Fade
Orange Shop in Citra, Florida 1960 - Shared by Facebook's Florida Roadside Attractions' History Ken Breslauer
Photo taken 8-1-10 by FloridaPast.com
THE ORANGE SHOP AS IT IS IN PRESENT TIME

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Now we visit Ferris Groves, Floral City
​still going strong today

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Always a Favorite of ours, Ferris Groves, Roadside Stand in Floral City, FloridaPast & Present

Click to see where this Great Roadside Billboard once stood
Inviting us to visit Ferris Groves - Billboard sign that was once

Most old images here, when clicked,
will take you to a Now & Then Fade

Click for a Now & Then Fade
Entering Ferris Groves from the North 1940s era
Notice how Highway U.S. 41 goes right in front of Ferris Groves Door.
Recently we stopped and took a few photos of how this same building, above, still stands as it did then. Except U.S. 41 has been moved over to the right, facing. Giving Ferris Groves More Room to Operate.
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Side view coming from the North on U.S. 41 photo taken 2016
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The Old Ferris Grove building, photo by FloridaPast.com 2016
Click image for a Now & Then Fade
As it was in the 1960s era - Click for Now & Then
This next Now & Then Fade, was inspired by Facebook's -
Floral City: The Real "Old Florida" -https://www.facebook.com/pages/Floral-City-The-Real-Old-Florida/1573820996173083?fref=photo
Click for a Now & Then Fade
Click for a Now & Then
Click for larger view
Ferris Groves other places, advertised on a vintage matchbook
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The group of Ferris Groves Roadside Billboards, we shot ourselves one sunny afternoon while meandering around Floral City. Love these concrete block style billboards. Even better,
​that this one still lives on......
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Rare example of one of Ferris Groves Shipping Crate Labels

Luxo Link Mats
Promotional photograph
taken outside the entrance to
Ferris Groves in Floral City
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​From a promotional photographic postcard.
Ferris Groves get's a new mat
Some borrowed history to share about Ferris Groves.
"In 1931, L.G. "Doc" Ferris began planting citrus trees in the rich, hammock soil of Duval Island, in historic Floral City, Florida. The trees took root in the fertile ground, and for 75 years, the land has produced all varieties of Florida's finest citrus: Hamlin and Navel oranges, Dancy and Murcott tangerines, Honeybell tangelos, Flame and Ruby Red grapefruit, and more.

In 1944, Ferris Groves added a packing and shipping plant. Shortly thereafter, a retail store was built, and with it, Ferris Groves' gift fruit business began. It continues to this day."


Please Credit above text to, and visit Ferris Groves here -
http://www.ferrisgroves.com/
http://www.ferrisgroves.com/history.php
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The original Entrance to Ferris Groves. Photo taken by FloridaPast.com 2016
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This is what Ferris Groves looks like in 2012

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We Always Enjoy Seeing these Great Signages
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Located in Floral City, FloridaPast, on Rt. 41

A Nice Presentation for Floral City
and Ferris Groves

To connect with other Floral City Folks, sharing history and stories, here is a Wonderful Facebook Page you'll Really Like ->
Floral City: The Real "Old Florida"
Click for a Now & Then Fade
Let's go back to 1955 and visit these Lovely Gals at Ferris Groves
HILLS OF REST - on a photo shoot one day here at Ferris Groves, and from behind the building, through the back glass window, through the front glass window, this is what our eyes would see.
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The Hills of Rest, as seen from behind the glass inside Ferris'
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Click to see a Fitting-Fade
The Folks of Ferris' Groves and Tourists, for the camera pose during the 1940s

Ferris Groves get's a new Welcome Mat

click for now and then fade
Click image, and go back to where the camera's shutter clicked that day 1950s

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This is a FloridaPast-Present Citrus Attraction
Located near Brooksville, Florida (current day)

Located on Highway 50, Intersection of Spring Hill Dr.
Another part of FloridaPast. Hoping it Hangs on!
Appears this was recently upgraded-painted - Looks good!
We had to come back another day, and shot some more pics. Chances are, we'll go back and vist, and shot some inner attractions for Ya'll.
Makes for an Interesting Image.....
Sunday morning, driving about 35 mph. Camera had to be taken out of it's bag, the lens cap taken off, then focus and shoot, All whilst driving.....
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Out on our Sunday Morning Drive,
through the Beautiful High/Low Rolling Hills
A place where you think, that you were'nt in Florida

In time, we will add more photos of this Citrus Attraction
Just had no opportunity to pull in this wonderful place. There were cars were right behind us. Too Close to make a sudden stop
Some of those fish are 3-D - Nice Job!
As I'm shooting pics, I heard wild bird yells coming from inside. Our next trip, we shall visit this place.

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Here we stop alongside a FloridaPast, Ridge Road, for a basket of oranges
H.L. ULMER GROVE / CITRUS STAND, LARGO, FloridaPast
I'm gett'in HUNGRY Fo' sum Orangiz'
ANOTHER MOMENT IN TIME CAPTURES THE ORANGE BLOSSOM GROVES
FloridaPast packing houses, were typically crude built buildings. Especially in the earlier years
A TYPICAL FloridaPast PACKING HOUSE
Before the Great Freeze of FloridaPast, Citrus Trees were a Common Find, Everywhere
a lonely grapefruit tree in FloridaPast
Many Family Owned Groves in FloridaPast - Where the entire family would help with the harvesting
A Family Owned Grape Fruit Citrus Grove
FloridaPast Citrus Industry Promotions were Very Popular, 'back in the day'
Great Exaggerated Image - It's ALL About Catching Your Attention to the Good FloridaPast Citrus Offerings
Waan sum?
It's break time
The more I add these FloridaPast images for Ya'll, I WANNA GO BACK TO THESE DAYS......
JASMINE GROVES - Midway Between St. Petersburg and Clearwater, FloridaPast
Notice, even WAY BACK WHEN, they used tracks through the groves
Glimpses from the Victorian Era, of Citrus Industry
As we can see, there were All Kinds of People Pick'in Citrus Groves of FloridaPast
A BUSY DAY IN THE ORANGE GROVE - Waa't a GREAT VIEW
Now the owner's here, had it down patt - they knew how to KATCH YO EYE
SUWANNEE RIVER GROVES - OCALA, FloridaPast
What-a-Beautiful FloridaPast day to travel about the highwayz for citrus
YELLOW BANKS GROVE - ROADSIDE STAND - Largo, FloridaPast
Citrus & Smiles Go Together like Sun & Floirda
ONE EXAMPLE OF A FloridaPast, FuN STORE SIGN PROMOTING FLORIDA GRAPEFRUIT JUICE
There was a time, we would see these window travel decals on automobiles. Now waa't do we c?....
LAND OF ORANGES - LAND OF SUNSHINE - LAND OF FloridaPast
HOW MANY ORANGES DO YOU SEE ??
This is what Minute Maid Orange Processing Plant looked like in 1940 - The changes made, in such a short period of time, is A-Maze'in
sit'in hea' reflect'in FloridaPast Daze
KENNEDY GROVES -Souvenirs, Citrus, Juice - Roadside Vero Beach, FloridaPast
Hey, daaz' a man ta'kin pit'chaz at us
A Typical Grove Scene in the year of 1945
It's ALL BOUT BEAUTY - BEAUTY BEAUTY BEAUTY FULL
Throne of Citrus Royality, Cypress Gardens, FloreeDaPast....
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Click on Tom Moore's Head for a Now and Then "fade"
Ohhhh - Juss BeUteeFULL - Juss BeUT-e-FULL
A GORGEOUS MOONLIGHT FloridaPast SCENE

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Dixie Queens of the South
Meet them face to face by clicking here

Go to the New York World's Fair, by clicking on the photo

One of the Many Ways of promoting FloridaPast Citrus Industry
Carol Lynn Blum (left), Miss florida and Miss Citrus Queen Karol Kelly Click to visit the New York World's Fair

Thirteen beauty queens, all from the state of Florida,
get a kick out of the opening of Florida Day at the NY World's Fair on Monday, August 9, 1965.
The queens that attended; Miss Tampa-St. Pete, Carol Hitcher, Miss Jacksonville, Gayle Hayden, Miss Florida Pavilion, Pat Pearce, Miss National Air Lines, Yerri Wiliuszis, Miss Cape Coral, Joan Pierelli, Miss Coppertone, Carol Hunter, Miss Florida, Carol Lynn Blum, Citrus Wueen, Karol Kelly, Citrus Shipper, Carol McNair, Palm Beach, Rita Rivers, Metro Miami, Sharon Murphy, Florida Development, Mary Simpson, Water Skier, Carliss Black.
Click Here to see and credit Ocala Star Banner Article with photo of these FloridaPast Queens.

TAYLOR'S TROPICAL CANDY FACTORY, DAVENPORT, FloridaPast
TRO[OCAL SWEETS FACTORY - MADE FROM FloridaPast Citrus
A FuN FloridaPast image
Grapefruits Grow Large in FloridaPast
BEAUTY, CITRUS & PALMS, of FloridaPast
A time of FloridaPast, when a Roadside Citrus Stand, as this image of Indian Rocks, was the norm to find everywhere
Orange Blossom Groves
ORANGE BLOSSOM GROVES
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Orange Blossom Groves No. 2 ON NEW GULF COAST HIGHWAY - CLEARWATER, FloridaPast - Gotta Love ALL THAT SIGN PAINT'IN
Ohh the fun of pick'in FloridaPast grapefruit, from my own back yard tree
Won't you come and help me pick Grape Fruit?
a Non Typical Packing Plant of FloridaPast
GOLDEN SUNSET - Packing Plant at Seminole Bridge - St. Petersburg, FloridaPast
Usually sent to a relative of a FloridaPast Tourist, along with a crate of Oranges or Grape Fruit
One of the Better Tourist Citrus Promotions for the FloridaPast Citrus Industry
Ohhh that Sweet-ness of FloridaPast
Hobby Grove Gardens and Palm Terrace - juss 18 miles nord't of Tampa FloridaPast
Click to see Harvey's Now and Then
NOW & THEN - HARVEY'S ROADSIDE GROVE - Rockledge, FloridaPast
picture is outta focus, but you get da' pitcher
NAGEL GROVES - CYPRESS GARDENS, FloridaPast
We sell SO MUCH CITRUS TO OUR TOURISTS, lookee dee new ride i got
WILLIAMS - BAKER GROVES - LARGO, FloridaPast
Boy, them thar Colorz, Ketcha'i all da' tiem
NAGEL GROVE - CITRUS STAND - WINTER HAVEN, FloridaPast - See How Purty Ya'll
Now Charile LIKES THAT
Charlie McCarthy and Edgar Bergen with FloridaPast Citrus Queen

Bananas on the docks of Tampa

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Click to visit the Docks of Tampa Then & Now
The history of the banana is very interesting.
So we borrowed a few words to share here for educational purposes.

-
" Banana plants were probably planted in Spanish settlements in southern Florida, where Cavendish bananas were found growing as a dooryard plant in the nineteenth century. There have been sporadic efforts since to foster commercial banana farming in Florida in response to the enormous profits in banana importing and the growth of the North American market. The U.S. Department of Agriculture introduced Chinese dwarf cooking-bananas to Florida in 1841 but there was little interest among consumers at that time."
"A Colonel Whitner was reported to have ten thousand banana plants growing on his plantation near Silver Lake, Florida, in 1876. An observer noted that "some of these are large trees, which do not die after bearing their fruit, but the majority are of the dwarf species, which are renewed every year." The January 1879 "Sunday School Leaflet of the American Home Missionary Society" listed bananas among the exotic fruit to be found in Florida, while a tourist guide to Florida published in 1891 listed bananas as a "staple commodity capable of being raised in Florida and shipped to outside markets with a profit to the producer." This and other efforts to promote banana growing in Florida have consistently failed because of periodic frosts that can devastate entire plantations."

Please credit copyrighted history text and Visit Here to continue reading more of this informative history.

One of us could get loss't in dat jungle....
Banana Grove, PENSACOLA, FloridaPast, The Year, 1909

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FloridaPast not only had a booming citrus business, but also was known for other crops, such as Papayas, Watermelon, and all types of vegetables.
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Papayas Anyone? They sure look Yummy, don't they?
PAPAYAS GROWING IN MIAMI, FloridaPast
un'da wa'ee ta' da' maa'kit dis' f'eye'n morn'in
Another scene one would've seen, depicting FloridaPast Farming Market

Citrus on the way to market
Polk County


View Larger Map
Hadda a good crop dis heah' yeah' YES'Sa' Sure'in did
1920 Era - Marianna, FloridaPast - grain elevator and wagons either getting ready to load corn or sell corn - A Typical Day
Click to See More or to Purchase
John S. Barnes Plant & Highland City Citrus Crate

Our Citrus Tower Collection of "Fades" and Moments Captured
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www.FloridaPast.com Welcomes you to our Famed Now & Then Fades of the Citrus Tower in Clermont Florida
Some of the following images we personally own or have owned. Some were shared with us so we could create our now & then fades, whilst others come from FloridaMemoryProject, State Archives or Library of Congress. The latter sources are under Public Domain. If we knew or know the source, we always credit properly. With all images, we add our FloridaPast.com watermarks. This is so our Famed Fades can be attributed back to us. It's a lot of work to create these fades, and it's Not a paying job. It's the Love of Our History that compels. Some of our fades have been share Well Over a Million times across this thing we call the internet. And we feel that we deserve the recognition. You are always welcome to share, but please, cite sources when known.
ENJOY YOUR VISIT WITH FloridaPast.com
ps.... some images yet to be fades. As our time allows, we'll be fading and updating. So Please check back.
And if you have anything to contribute, if it be a photo, experience, history, or even a story, Please come to FloridaPast Facebook and share.
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Florida Citrus Tower has a Wonderful Facebook Page. If you haven't discovered their page yet, CLICK HERE to Visit & Like their page
There was a time in FloridaPast when a visitor could view miles of citrus groves from the tower
One of the many FloridaPast Citrus Promotions to entice tourists to Florida
Come un in for a Coca Cola and some Southern Home Cook'inz
See the Citrus Tower Now & Then "Fade" Click Image
Let's have a Orange Fight....
A Great Day for an Orange Fight - South has citrus fights - North has snow-ball fights
Though the Citrus Tower still stands today, the scenery is of the Past
Peeking through the Groves - Click to see what it was like. "Fade" away
Click and Fade on back to one evening across from the famed Citrus Tower, Clermont FloridaPast
1970s, pulling out of what was, the Skyline Motel, Night & Day Fade
FloridaPast.com says click the Smiling Southern Belle, to visit WhatWasInThere during the 1960s
Smiling Southern Belle offering Fresh Florida Citrus from Hale Groves, within the Citrus Tower, 1960s
A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE THIS PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN IN THE 1970s
What a Beautiful View - Standing a Top of The Citrus Tower

The Moment, 1956, South Bound on Highway 27, approaching Clermont
The Citrus Tower Looms above the Beautiful Citrus Groves of Lake County

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CLICK TO "FADE" BACK TO THIS MOMENT
If Ya'll look Really Close, you might see me looking out the window, watching FloridaPast us bye...
Now & Then "fade" on Highway 27 - Heading toward the Citrus Tower
I think I see someone WAY UP TOP
Once a Popular FloridaPast Tourist Attraction - Still stands today. Click photo for a Now & Then Fade
The image right below, is part of our WhatWasInThere Series. Taking you back to the 1960s era, with the slide of the Fade-Bar. We set this fade just about where this vision was during the 1960s, as we sit and enjoy our dinner. The views are serene and spectacular. So much has changed since then. Gone are the beautiful visions of citrus groves, that went on as far as the eye could see. Click the image to take a trip back.
Click to visit a WhatWasInThere Now & Then Fade
Restaurant in Citrus Tower Clermont 1960s

Citrus Tower Continued on our Citrus Tour#6B

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The Governor's Grove, Route 27, south of Clermont on Lake Felter
The Governor's Grove, which at that time was maintained by the Minute Maid Corp., who in 1958, at the Governor's Conference in Miami, had given each of the then Governors of the United States and it's Territories, a citrus tree, along with 400 square feet of land. The fruit from each tree, would then, yearly, be picked and sent to each Governor. 

Take a visit by clicking and see what has happened
Click on the photo for a Now & Then Fade
I just like to roam around FloridaPast - Brings back some YuMMy Memories
I haven't Eat'in ya'll yet, so let's go
If you would like skip around to other parts of your tour, without following Wally Gator
you can use either of these FloridaPast Tour Links to get you there.
Wally doesn't like when his Tour leaves to go their own way. So he may snip at ya'll.

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Begining of your Tour/Highway-2/Highway-3-Natural Scenes/Highway-4-Roadside Hotels & Motels/Highway-5-Past Attractions/Attractions 5B/Highway-6-Citrus Farming Tour/
Highway-7-Historical Images/Highway-8-Seminole Indians Tour/Seminole Indians Musa Isle Tour 8-b/

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