A Florida Gal Goes West: Yellowstone National Park

A couple of weeks ago, I left Orlando on a flight to Minneapolis (that took much longer than originally scheduled) to meet up with Stacy Monson, a Mosaic Collection author (like me!) and vagabond friend.

The next day, Stacy and I hopped in her SUV and headed west to Montana for our own writing retreat. Along the way, we stopped at the Badlands National Park…

Badlands ~ Johnnie Alexander

…and Mount Rushmore.

Mt. Rushmore ~ Johnnie Alexander

A couple days after settling into our lovely Carbon County chalet, we were joined by another Mosaic author, Deb Elkink, and her husband Gerrit. The four of us got up early one morning, stopped at the Cattail Bakery in Red Lodge for delicious pastries, then drove through Beartooth Pass...

Left to Right: Deb, Stacy, Johnnie, Gerrit
Photo taken by a Kind Stranger

...to “the oldest, one of the largest, and probably the best-known national park in the United States” (Pletcher).

Yellowstone National Park

1904 Map ~ By Henry Wellge (1850-1917)

What an amazing day!

The scenery is breathtaking, ranging from mountains to flatlands and riverbeds and rolling hills.

Yellowstone Landscape ~ Johnnie Alexander

Including an area known as the Sulphur Caldron…

Sulphur Caldron ~ Johnnie Alexander

Mama & Baby Bison ~ Stacy Monson

…and, of course, Old Faithful.

By Albert Bierstadt

Back to the Past

We know little about the prehistoric peoples who inhabited what is now the North Geyser Basin area in northwestern Wyoming, but archaeologists tell us that artifacts from the area date to more than 11,000 years ago.

In contrast, a mere six hundred years or so ago, the Wind River Shoshone, also known as the Tukudika Mountain Shoshone or Sheepeaters, may have arrived in the area.

John Colter, a trapper and explorer who came west with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, arrived in the region around 1807-08. He’s considered to be the first person of European ancestry to explore this area of the country.

Another trapper, Daniel Potts, wrote a letter to his brother which became the first published account about the region. Potts’ vivid description of “Yellowstone Lake and the West Thumb Geyser Basin appeared in a Philadelphia newspaper in 1827” (Pletcher).

Eleven years later, in 1836, a trapper and trained surveyor named Warren Angus Ferris created a map of the area. He “was the first to use the name geyser for the hydrothermal features” found in Yellowstone (Pletcher).

Financier Jay Cooke, whose railroad company was laying tracks north of Yellowstone, along with others who’d surveyed the region, “became strong advocates for the creation of a national park at Yellowstone” (Pletcher). 

Another influential advocate was American geologist Ferdinand Hayden.

Ferdinand V. Hayden (1829–1887)

Which eventually led to President Ulysses S. Grant signing the legislation that created Yellowstone National Park on March 1, 1872. (That makes the park 153 years old!)

Ferdinand V. Hayden's map of Yellowstone National Park, 1871

Fascinating Facts

Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres are located primarily in northwestern Wyoming while stretching into Montana and Idaho. “It is a vast wilderness area filled with stunning landscapes, geothermal wonders, and abundant wildlife” (Tung/Located).

Fort Yellowstone ~ circa 1910

It’s many types of ecosystems include an abundant subalpine forest which “is part of the South Central Rockies forests ecoregion” (Tung/Welcome).

Yellowstone Lake “is the highest mountain lake of its size in North America” (Pletcher).

Yellowstone Lake ~ Stacy Monson

More Recent Events

Bears beg for food!

By Jack E. Boucher; August 1958

Yellowstone was designated:

• a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1976; and 
• a World Heritage site in 1978.

A horrific fire “charred some two-fifths of the park’s forestlands” in 1988 (Pletcher).

Amid tremendous controversy, wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone in 1995.

A Reintroduced Wolf ~ Barry O'Neill

Return to the Present

During our drive through Yellowstone, which took hours because of our frequent stops to take photos of the stunning scenery, we saw pronghorn deer, an elk, plenty of bison, and a brief glimpse of the backside of a bear among a stand of trees. No wolves, though ~ I’m a little sad about that.

We saw this big guy enjoying a snack along the side of the road.

The Elk ~ Deb Elkink

The smaller bison on the right tried to pick a fight with the bison on the left ~ who wasn't really interested!

Feuding Bison ~ Stacy Monson

This shaggy bison, thankfully, was more interested in grazing than us.

Shaggy Bison ~ Johnnie Alexander

Stacy and I got a close-up look at a bear a few days later when we were sitting on the sprawling deck outside our vacation chalet. We were both on our laptops when a black bear appeared only a few yards beyond the far end of the deck.

She stared at us. We stared at her.

Then she turned and ambled away with her cub following close behind her.

We were too stunned to grab our phones and take photos so I created this one to send to family and friends. (Please pretend the sticker of the brown bear is a sticker of a black bear.)

Your Turn

I’ve wanted to visit Montana for decades. And I’ve wanted to visit Yellowstone since researching the introduction of wolves to the park for an as-yet-unpublished novel. This writing retreat (with a bit of sightseeing on the side) has been a dream come true.

Where’s a place you long to visit? Do you have a favorite national park? Have you ever been within staring distance of a mama bear?

Journey into stories filled with heart, mystery, and hope.

Johnnie Alexander writes award-winning stories of enduring love and quiet courage. Her historical and contemporary novels weave together unforgettable romance, compelling characters, and a touch of mystery. 

A sometime hermit and occasional vagabond who most often kicks off her shoes in Florida, Johnnie cherishes cozy family times and enjoys long road trips. 

Readers are invited to discover glimpses of grace and timeless truth in her stories. Connect with her at johnnie-alexander.com.

Photos taken by Johnnie Alexander

The Badlands

Mount Rushmore

Yellowstone Landscape

Sulphur Caldron

Shaggy Bison

"Johnnie and the Mama Bear"

Photo taken by Deb Elkink

The Elk

Photos taken by Stacy Monson

Mama and Baby Bison

Yellowstone Lake

Feuding Bison

All other photos are in public domain.

1904 Map ~ By Henry Wellge (1850-1917) - David Rumsey Map Collection, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43155865

By Albert Bierstadt - Whitney Gallery of Western Art, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30602550

Ferdinand V. Hayden (1829–1887), an American geologist who convinced Congress to make Yellowstone a national park in 1872; Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10989200

Ferdinand V. Hayden's map of Yellowstone National Park, 1871; By F.V. Hayden - Library of Congress[1], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4863470

By Unknown author - Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23294613

Bears beg for food at Yellowstone National Park, August 1958. National Park Service photograph by Jack E. Boucher; Negative Number 2-58-JB-749. By National Park Service - HPC-000542, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56931556

Fire. Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2391565

A Reintroduced Wolf by Barry O'Neill - Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2144656

Sources

Pletcher, Kenneth. “Yellowstone National Park.” Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Yellowstone-National-Park (Last updated on August 7, 2025; accessed on August 8, 2025).

Tung, Thanh. “Welcome to Yellowstone National Park.”
https://www.national-park.com/welcome-to-yellowstone-national-park/ (Posted on April 28, 2016; accessed on August 8, 2025).

Tung, Thanh. “Where is Yellowstone National Park Located?”
https://www.national-park.com/where-is-yellowstone-national-park-located/ (Posted on July 27, 2025; accessed on August 8, 2025).

A Day in the Life of Fannie Quigley: Pioneer Cook of the Klondike

Fannie Quigley used a dog team for transportation and freighting, as seen in the above photograph of her packing supplies to a mine in 1915. (Public Domain Image)

Imagine the brisk Alaskan dawn in the late 1890s—pine-scented air, wooden buildings dusted with frost—and in the midst of a mining settlement on Clear Creek stands Fannie Quigley, a real-life cook tent owner and prospector. Known as “Fannie the Hike,” she carried a sled with stove and provisions into remote camps to feed weary gold-seekers.

Rise and Shine

Fannie began each day before sunrise, hauling her portable stove and supplies across frozen terrain. She’d set up camp, build a fire strong enough for a hearty breakfast, and inspect ingredients—flour, salt pork, sometimes a handful of fresh eggs or meat she’d hunted herself. Fannie hunted, trapped, and gardened to supplement her meals .

Breakfast for Prospectors

Once the fire was roaring, she’d fry salt pork or bacon, whisk together sourdough pancake batter, and serve up steaming coffee. Prospectors, tired and hungry, would flock to her tent. They needed nourishment and warmth to fuel long days panning gold.

Midday Travel

After breakfast, Fannie cleaned her cook area, packed up, and made her way to the next mining spot—sometimes miles away—cooking lunch along the route: perhaps a stew from preserved beans, wild game, or vegetables from her own garden .

Supper Time

Come evening, Fannie set up again, preparing supper for miners returning to camp. She’d cook over a roaring fire under a canvas shelter, and then dish something hearty, like hot stew and fresh bread—bringing comfort to men far from home.

Life Beyond the Cook Tent

Fannie wasn’t just a cook—she staked mining claims, ran a roadhouse, served as a nurse during the Spanish flu epidemic, and hosted travelers, including Jack London. She embodied resilience, independence, and warm hospitality in the harsh Alaskan wilderness. Fannie Quigley’s story illustrates how a cook in the Wild West served as far more than a provider of meals--but also as a caretaker, a sustainer, and a pillar of the mining community.

Honoring Wild West Cooks Through Fiction

In the pages of Hills of Nevermore (Montana Gold, Book 1), readers meet America Liberty Reed, a fictional young widow with a newborn in her arms, alone and desperate. Like real-life pioneers such as Fannie Quigley, America faces daunting odds—but her story takes a hopeful turn when she’s hired by another resilient widow, Addie Martin, to help in a mining camp cook tent.

Under Addie’s steady guidance and amidst the daily work of preparing meals for a camp full of hungry miners, America begins to rebuild her shattered life. While tending to her infant and learning the rhythms of camp cooking, she discovers unexpected purpose and the quiet strength that comes from serving others with compassion.

Enter Shane Hayes, the blue-eyed circuit preacher America can't seem to avoid.

If stories of strong frontier women and redemptive new beginnings speak to you, you’ll find much to love in Hills of Nevermore, the first book in the Montana Gold series. Learn more.

About the Author

Janalyn Voigt fell in love with literature at an early age when her father read chapters from classics as bedtime stories. When Janalyn grew older, she put herself to sleep with tales "written" in her head. Today Janalyn is a storyteller who writes in several genres. Romance, mystery, adventure, history, and whimsy appear in all her novels in proportions dictated by their genre. Janalyn Voigt is represented by Wordserve Literary.

Learn more about Janalyn Voigt.

Honorary Floridians ~ A Recap

 

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.

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.

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

Johnnie Alexander is a bestselling, award-winning novelist of more than thirty works of fiction in multiple genres. She is both traditionally and indie-published, serves as board secretary for the Mosaic Collection, LLC (an indie-author group) and faculty chair for the Mid-South Christian Writers Conference; co-hosts Writers Chat, a weekly online show; and contributes to the HHHistory.com blog. With a heart for making memories, Johnnie is a fan of classic movies, stacks of books, and road trips. Connect with her at JohnnieAlexander.com.

[Note ~ to find more information about photos and sources, click on the links for the individual posts.]

Steamboating on the Mississippi River Sternwheelers

Cruising the Mississippi River creates a romantic image of 19th Century Americana, reminiscent of Mark Twain’s Life on the Mississippi.

Especially on board a steam-powered paddlewheeler, such as the legendary Delta Queen.

Growing up in Kentucky not far from the confluence of the Tennessee, Cumberland, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, I dreamed about someday traveling down the Mississippi River on a riverboat.

Later, I lived in a Minnesota river town on the banks of the Upper Mississippi, and now I’m working on a novel that features a paddlewheel tourboat on an Iowa lake. I still have not ridden on the Delta Queen, but I have had the opportunity to take a short cruise on a boat with a paddlewheel.

For some reason, watching the paddles spinning through the water fascinates me. The paddlewheel propels the boat forward (or backward when necessary), but what powers the huge wheel to create the motion?

Ben Campbell steamship at landing about 1850, image restored from daguerreotype. Library of Congress archives

Ben Campbell steamship at landing about 1850, image restored
from daguerreotype. Library of Congress archives

It turns out paddlewheels have been used to move boats for centuries, but it wasn’t until the steam engine was applied to power the wheel, in the early 1800s, that they became practical. Early versions on the Mississippi used wood, which was readily available along the river. Later, coal was used to generate the steam, but 4.5 to 14.5 tons of coal per day were required to keep their engines running.

The paddles could be located on the sides of the boat (sidewheelers) or mounted at the rear (sternwheelers). But the latter style was more common in the central part of the continent. They had flat bottoms and shallow hulls designed to carry large loads on generally smooth and occasionally shallow rivers.

Rivers were the “freeways” of the 1800s. Travel was faster and much more comfortable on the big riverboats than by any other means. Because of the sternwheeler's design, the Mississippi was opened to river traffic from New Orleans all the way to Minnesota. By the 1850s, hundreds of riverboats were landing in St. Paul with all types of goods and thousands of people.

On its tributaries, such as the Ohio and Missouri, cargo and passengers were carried from Pittsburgh to Cairo, and from St. Louis to Kansas City and beyond.

Passengers who wanted to get from one place to another as cheaply as possible spent their time aboard near the cargo on the main deck. Only the rich could afford a cabin on an upper deck with dining in the grand salon.

Delta Queen docked at New Orleans, 2007. Photo by Joe Ross,
 Lansing, Michigan, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

In my mind, the Delta Queen epitomizes the grandeur of luxury travel during that time. It’s the last remaining historical steamboat capable of overnight cruises, and is a National Historic Landmark.

The Delta Queen and her identical twin the Delta King – called the million dollar boats – were fabricated in Scotland and Germany and assembled in 1927 in California. She remained in California until 1948, when she was relocated to New Orleans as a tourist boat on the inland waterways.

The elegant interior of the Delta Queen, with intricately carved stair railings and grand staircase,
outdid other luxury steamboats of the era. Delta Queen Steamboat Co. photo

No expense was spared in outfitting the Delta Queen with the finest appointments, such as teak handrails, Tiffany-style stained glass, and crystal chandeliers. Throughout the boat, the fittings are brass and the posts and paneling are either oak or mahogany. She is 285 feet long, 60 feet wide and has a height of 66 feet to the top of the smokestack. There are 88 staterooms for a total of 176 passengers.

At this time (2025), the Delta Queen is undergoing a multi-million-dollar refurbishing, but when complete, the company again plans to offer three- to seven-day cruises.

At several locations along the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland, among others, you can ride a replica of a paddlewheel steamboat. One- to two-hour sightseeing excursions, lunch or dinner cruises, and sunset cruises are typically offered. These days, most are powered by diesel fuel, not steam.

The Delta Queen features the typical red paddles
of historical sternwheeler steamboats. Delta Queen
 Steamboat Co. photo

If you’re lucky enough to ride on one with a working paddlewheel, be sure to notice the mist of the water as it rushes along the bright red paddles. It’s a delightful experience that will take you back to the golden age of steam-powered riverboats on the inland waterways of America.

You may also enjoy these posts:

Heroes, Heroines, and History: Full Steam Ahead: Steamboats on the Hudson by Laurie Alice Eakes

and

Heroes, Heroines, and History: Steamboats and Indian Wars--by Jennifer Uhlarik 

Sources:

Steamboat - Wikipedia
Steamboating the Rivers - Steamboats.org
Mississippi River Boat History, Minnesota | Padelford Riverboats
Delta Queen Steamboat Company | Overnight Steamboat

Multi-award-winning author Marie Wells Coutu finds beauty in surprising places, like undiscovered treasures, old houses, and gnarly trees. All three books in her Mended Vessels series, contemporary stories based on the lives of biblical women, have won awards in multiple contests. She is currently working on historical romances set in her native western Kentucky in the 1930s and ‘40s. An unpublished novel, Shifting Currents, placed second in the inspirational category of the nationally recognized Maggie Awards. Learn more at www.MarieWellsCoutu.com.

Her historical short story, “All That Glistens,” was included in the 2023 Saturday Evening Post Great American Fiction collection and is now available free when you sign up for Marie's newsletter here. In her newsletter, she shares about her writing, historical tidbits, recommended books, and sometimes recipes.

Heroes of the Wild West: Circuit Preachers

When you picture the Wild West, images of cowboys, saloons, and gunfights might spring to mind. Yet, another force shaped life on the frontier — the itinerant ministers determined to spread Christianity in an untamed land. These heroes of the Wild West brought spiritual guidance and a sense of community to settlers, even in areas lacking basic human needs — like shelter, food, and water. Circuit preachers earned their place of honor in Western history—and they did it the hard way.

Hundreds of Miles by Horseback

A circuit preacher traveled on horseback, sometimes for hundreds of miles across rugged terrain, to cover an assigned “circuit.” He moved from one settlement or homestead to another to offer religious services, sermons, and other pastoral care to settlers with little access to clergy. He often preached in unusual locations, including makeshift buildings, barns, or even open fields. 

The preacher returned to each settlement on a regular schedule that provided a sense of stability to settlers. Amid the violence, sickness, and loneliness they endured, they could look forward to his faithful arrival.

Author’s Note: While researching Hills of Nevermore, the first book in the Montana Gold series, one circuit preacher in particular stood out. I was charmed to read how Brother Van persuaded a saloon owner to close the bar and hold church for an hour one Sunday afternoon. He reportedly had the miners singing hymns. I decided as a tribute to base the character of Shane Hayes, the hero of Hills of Nevermore, on Brother Van. One of the liveliest scenes in the book is when Shane attempts to hold church in a saloon. 

The Incomparable Brother Van

William Wesley Van Orsdel, a Methodist minister, stands out as one of the most notable circuit preachers of the American West. Van Orsdel traveled west as a circuit preacher in the 1850s. Brother Van, as the settlers affectionately dubbed him, rode from one tiny, isolated community to another, preaching the gospel in homes, schoolhouses, and even the open air. His circuit took him enormous distances, through remote areas of what is now Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska. Needless to say, this tested his physical stamina, emotional endurance, and spiritual resilience.

Brother Van often faced perilous weather, health struggles, and the constant threat of danger on the frontier. Despite these challenges, his determination never wavered. He was beloved for his deep compassion, infectious optimism, and tireless work ethic. Brother Van’s ability to adapt his sermons to the needs of his audience made him an extraordinary preacher able to connect with people from all walks of life. The gift of speaking directly to the hearts of his listeners made him much beloved. In a world where the West was often defined by its tough, gritty nature, Brother Van’s compassion and faith brought hope to many.

The Importance of Circuit Preachers in the West

Circuit preachers like Brother Van were often the only ones who could offer a semblance of stability to the frontier’s isolated communities. The West was full of people seeking new beginnings — pioneers who had left behind their homes in search of opportunity. Many settlers found themselves far from civilization, with few, if any, resources to draw upon in times of crisis.

The church, therefore, became a critical institution in these frontier towns, offering not only spiritual guidance but also practical assistance. Circuit preachers were often involved in social work, helping to establish schools, orphanages, and hospitals in the harshest of conditions. They served as counselors to the weary, peacemakers in times of conflict, and sometimes even as the only voice of reason in the midst of the violent struggles that defined life in the Wild West.

The presence of these ministers in the West also had a significant impact on the establishment of communities. It’s no coincidence that towns often formed around churches, which became hubs for settlers to gather, share news, and provide support to one another. These gatherings were not only for worship but also for socializing and the building of relationships. In this sense, circuit preachers were pivotal in the formation of the social fabric of the Wild West.

The Challenges of the Circuit Preacher

The Circuit Preacher by Alfred Waud.

Circuit preachers lived hard lives. The demands of traveling hundreds of miles on horseback in often inclement weather and through dangerous terrain were daunting. Preachers faced physical exhaustion, health issues, and the constant threat of isolation. They relied on the hospitality of settlers to offer them food, shelter, and sometimes safety.

In many cases, they were forced to live off the land, surviving on minimal resources. It is a testament to their dedication that these preachers continued to serve—sometimes for years. Many never married and died young. Nearly half of the 737 circuit preachers the Methodist Church sent out prior to 1847 died before age thirty,

The Legacy of the Circuit Preacher

Circuit preachers of the Wild West brought hope and help to settlers of an unforgiving land. They built communities, brought solace in times of hardship, and provided constancy to offset the uncertainties of frontier life. Preachers like Brother Van left an indelible mark on history, reminding us that even in the wildest places, faith can shine its light.

These humble servants are unsung heroes of the West. Many of their names are lost to time but their influence remains an indelible part of American history.

About the Author

Janalyn Voigt fell in love with literature at an early age when her father read chapters from classics as bedtime stories. When Janalyn grew older, she put herself to sleep with tales "written" in her head. Today Janalyn is a storyteller who writes in several genres. Romance, mystery, adventure, history, and whimsy appear in all her novels. Learn more about Janalyn, read the first chapters of her books, and subscribe for updates at http://janalynvoigt.com.

Fall in Love with the Wild West

The Montana Gold western historical romance series follows the lives and loves of a family of Irish immigrants surviving in the Wild West. Read these stories to reaffirm your faith in the power of God's love. Learn More> 

Tiny Island, Big History

By Tiffany Amber Stockton

So, as if my life didn't have enough happening, I decided it was a good idea to sign on with a monthly challenge with a few other authors who are part of my local writer's chapter. Although I've remained consistent with article writing, copywriting and copyediting, it has been a few years since I last had a fiction novel release. This challenge is helping me flex those story muscles and form a daily habit that will lead to me finishing this book that has been sitting on my computer for far too long.

Although the research is already done, today I'm sharing a little background of unique facts about this little island called Chincoteague, just off the Eastern Shore of Virginia and to the east of the Delmarva Peninsula.

CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND

The history of human activity in Chincoteague, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, begins with the Native Americans. Settlers from Europe swooped in and overtook the land in the late 17th century, but until then, the Chincoteague Indians used it as a place to gather shellfish. They aren't known to have lived there, though, as the island lacked suitable soil for their agriculture. Marshland doesn't typically grow much of anything except reeds.

Picturesque view of Chincoteague away from the populated
portion of the island (looking toward Assateague)

Once the European settlers inhabited the island, a series of disputes over who would own the island ensued. That led to patents being issued and a final resolution of an even split between two gentleman. With ownership of the island settled, it mostly existed as a place to house livestock, since they could feed off the marsh grasses. No need for fences or other enclosures to prevent the animals from straying either. How far could the animals go when they're on an island surrounded by water? (grins)

This led to the origin of the ponies on Assateague, though legends reported a Spanish shipwreck which left the ponies as cargo to swim to the nearest island. Historians believe the legend of the shipwreck simply became entwined with the history of the ponies until it was accepted as "truth." Funny how history does that from time to time. Makes me wonder just how much of unrecorded history is truly fact or merely embellished truths spoken from generation to generation until the truth and the embellishment can no longer be separated. Have you ever come across details like this?

Anyway, back to Chincoteague.

Stanley Jester (a distant cousin) harvests oysters by hand at low
tide in his oyster bed in the shallows of Chincoteague Bay

For the next hundred years or so, the island remained a place to house livestock for owners living on the mainland of Virginia. Following the Revolutionary War, residents realized the potential of business and industry through the abundance of shellfish in the area. This industry became so big, shipments went as far north as New England to the cities steadily growing there, and as I mentioned last month, my grandfather's family lived here. It was shellfish being provided to the White House under President Woodrow Wilson which led to my great-grandfather's cousin marrying the president while he was in office, leaving me with a family connection to "American royalty."

Throughout these years of shellfish and seafood industry, Chincoteague thrived. In 1876, a rail line completed a stop just 5 miles from the island with a steamship completing the distance. This gave oystermen an efficient means of getting their shellfish to market and began the wave of tourists escaping the city heat in the summer. Tourism hasn't slowed since.

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN:

* If you had an island similar to Chincoteague just a short distance across a narrow channel from where you lived, what would you do with it?

* Are you a fan of shellfish or seafood? What's your favorite?

* What recounting of an event do you know where the real truth has been fused with legend or unrecorded history? How much is true and what is legend?

Leave answers to these questions or any comments on the post below.

** This note is for our email readers. Please do not reply via email with any comments. View the blog online and scroll down to the comments section.

Come back on the 9th of each month for my next foray into historical tidbits to share.

---

BIO

Tiffany Amber Stockton has embellished stories since childhood, thanks to a very active imagination and notations of talking entirely too much. Honing those skills led her to careers as an award-winning and best-selling author and speaker, while also working as a professional copywriter/copyeditor. She loves to share life-changing products and ideas with others to help improve their lives in a variety of ways, but especially from the inside out.

Currently, she lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, along with their two children, three dogs, and three cats in southeastern Kentucky. In her 20+ years as a professional writer, she has sold twenty-six (26) books so far and has agent representation with Tamela Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. You can find her on Facebook and GoodReads.