Florida has long been known as a state of transplants. So much so that when attendees at a local chamber of commerce committee meeting were asked to go around the table and introduce themselves, those that were born in the state proudly announced their name followed by, “and I’m a native Floridian.”
When it came my turn, I managed to get a few laughs by saying my name followed by, “and my son is a native Floridian.”
That was, incredibly, over twenty-five years ago and that son, now living in Oklahoma, has a “Flo-Grown” decal and a Florida State University (his favorite college team) license plate frame on his vehicle.
What was true all those years ago—that being a Florida native was a little uncommon—is probably still true today though not necessarily in my family. Four of my five grandchildren are also “Flo-grown,” and while not a native myself, last year I claimed Florida residency for the third time in my life.
What can I say? I adore this state where the sun often shines when it’s raining, there are alligators in the pond behind our house, and long-legged sand cranes stroll along our streets. And, yes, the heat and humidity can be atrocious.
That makes no difference to me. I hope to live the rest of my life here!
What does all this have to do with Florida authors, artists, and architects?
As you may have realized from reading my posts on this series, few of the featured individuals were born in Florida. However, each one lived at least part of their lifetime in the Sunshine State.
In fact, none of the four talented individuals we’ve highlighted this year can claim the coveted “Flo-grown” title.
Yet each one is an acclaimed honorary Floridian.
Let’s do a quick recap.
Julia Daniels Moseley (1849-1917), author of “Come to My Sunland”: Letters of Julia Daniels Moseley from the Florida Frontier, 1882-1886, moved to the Tampa area from Illinois. The home she and her husband created, known as “The Nest,” is now on the National Register of Historic Places. She lived about half of her life in Florida and is buried in the Limona Cemetery, Brandon.
Mary Ann Carroll (1940-2019), the only woman included in the twenty-six Original Florida Highwaymen—Black artists known for selling their colorful landscapes from the trunks of their cars—was born in Georgia. Along with the other Highwaymen, Ms. Carroll was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. She moved to Florida as a child and is buried in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Fort Pierce.
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| Untitled ~ Poinciana Tree |
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (1896-1953) was born in Washington D.C. She is the author of two award-winning books that were adapted into major films ~ The Yearling and Cross Creek. Both these works were inspired by the farm, now a state park, that Ms. Rawlings established in the Florida “scrub.”
Katherine Cotheal Budd (1860-1951) was born in Clinton, Iowa and lived much of her life in New York. But she spent about three years in Florida where she designed two notable estates ~ the Howey Mansion in Howey-in-the-Hills and the Harry C. Duncan House in Tavares. Both these mansions are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. She lived the last ten years of her life in Arizona.
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| Howey Mansion |
In coming months, I'll feature more authors, artists, and architects. How interesting it'll be to see if they're "Flo-grown" or "Honorary" Floridians.
If you missed any of the above posts, then click on these links to find out more about these amazing individuals.
Florida's Featured Author ~ Julia Daniels Moseley
Florida's Featured Artist ~ Mary Ann Carroll
Florida's Featured Author ~ Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Florida's Featured Architect ~ Katherine Cotheal Budd
[Note ~ to find more information about photos and sources, click on the links for the individual posts.]
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