Florida
Florida became the twenty-seventh state in 1845. Its history has been shaped by Spanish settlement, maritime commerce, agriculture, immigration, and tourism. From the early streets of St. Augustine to the cigar factories of Ybor City, its communities preserve stories of people who established settlements, built industries, and brought cultural traditions to the peninsula. Railroads later opened new routes through the state, encouraging the growth of coastal cities and resort communities.
Our travels through Florida have provided opportunities to explore its historic neighborhoods, homes, forts, museums, gardens, and waterfronts. These places reveal how the state developed through changing economies and generations of newcomers. Beyond its familiar beaches and attractions, Florida’s towns and cities offer distinctive histories that add another dimension to each visit.
