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Florida's Miniature Fort in Chicago

In 1893, Florida tried and nearly failed to bring an exhibit to the World's Fair in Chicago. It was our first major foray into an international event with decades of popularity - but not the last.

Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here!

 

Read the incredible article about Florida at the Chicago World's Fair here!

Read more about the 1851 World's Fair here!

 

All of the music was originally composed.

The Battle of Wahoo Swamp

Follow Betty Osceola, and learn more about what's going on with the Everglades right here

Learn more about the Seminole Tribe of Florida here, and the Miccosukee Tribe right here

Visit the Seminole museum, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

In 1836, the first full year of the Second Seminole War, the American troops were constantly on the losing end. Using nature and speed to their advantage, the Seminoles raised hell at any opportunity. At Wahoo Swamp, things began to change.

Listen to our episode about the origins of the Seminole Tribe

Read more about the Battle of Wahoo Swamp here

 

All of the music was originally composed.

Florida's Forgotten Nuclear Bunker

Under the tiny town of Mount Dora, Florida, there is a massive bunker, built at the height of the Cold War, designed to house a hundred people in case the worst was to occur. It remains there to this very day.

Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here!

 

Read more about the bunker at Abandoned Florida and on the Mount Dora Buzz website!

 

All of the music was originally composed.

The Black Bear Bill

The Florida Legislature recently passed a bill that environmental advocates have called dangerous for the future survival of our state's black bears. This week, we dive into the bill and the arguments against it.

Thank you to Bear Warriors United for their help in this week's episode! Check out more at their website.

Watch the full committee where the bill was discussed here.

Read the bill, HB 87 Taking of Bears, right here.

Read about the frequency of black bear encounters here.

Read about bears and their relationship to trash here.

Read about bear encounters dropping in Seminole County here.

Read the article about bear gallbladder usage here.

Read the article about the bear hunting penalty here, and more on the usage of poached bear gallbladders. 

 

All of the music was originally composed. 

Rep. Anna V. Eskamani Returns!

Last week, we spent the day at the Florida State Legislature, and today, we're breaking down the events with Rep. Anna V. Eskamani! We dive into the complicated relationship between Republicans and Democrats, how legislators plan out their debates, and the usefulness of a can of tomato juice.

Listen to last week's episode before you dive in!

 

Check out more from Rep. Eskamani at her website or her Instagram!

Read HB 1639 about gender and sex in Florida here.

Read HB 999/SB 266 about higher education here.

Read the ACLU response to that bill here.

 

Read Rep. Eskamani's bills about student elopement and veteran benefits

 

All of the music was originally composed.

A Day Inside the Florida Legislature

I shadowed Rep. Anna V. Eskamani for an entire day in January of this year, winding the hallways of our legislature, meeting politicians, sitting in on their meetings, and witnessing their debates in committees. This week, we're talking about the inner workings of life in state government, and life as a legislator in 2024.

Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here!

 

Thank you Rep. Anna V. Eskamani for hosting me for the day. Check out her website right here.

Read House Bill 87 right here, about black bears.

Read House Bill 395 right here, about historical monuments. 

Read more about black bear attacks in Florida here. 

Read more about driver's licenses and gender identity here.

 

All of the music was originally composed.

Buster's Florida Disaster

In the 1930s, St. Petersburg, Florida, became a spot for filmmakers to attempt to relaunch their career. It was a short-lived and disastrous endeavor that produced only three movies - and a new chapter in the failing career of a Hollywood legend. 

Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here!

 

Check out the main source for this episode, Camera Man by Dana Stevens!

Read more about the history of Weedon Island!

Watch Buster Keaton's movie Sherlock Jr. or watch this clip from Seven Chances discussed in today's episode!

 

All of the music was originally composed.

Satchel Paige and the Original Miami Marlins

In 1956, Satchel Paige pitched in the biggest game in minor league baseball history. He was fifty years-old, the ageless wonder, making an appearance in Florida near the end of his long, storied and career. And somehow, that wasn't the end. All that, plus Miami baseball, a no-hitter record, and the surprising Cuban baseball rivalry in the 1940s.

(CORRECTION: At 23:30, the year 1955 is said. In actuality, the year was 1958, as mentioned in the previous sentence.)

Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here!

Read more about Satchel Paige in Miami right here!

 

All of the music was originally composed. 

Zora's Last Dance

What White Publishers Won't Print by Zora Neale Hurston

In 1957, The Fort Pierce Chronicle started publishing a newspaper aimed at the local Black community. Enter Zora Neale Hurston, near the end of her life, looking for a new opportunity. The rest is a history we are still looking to preserve.

 

Thank you to Gregory Enns of the Indian River Magazine for his help! If you have any copies of the Fort Pierce Chronicle, find out where to send it to right here!

 

All of the music was originally composed. 

The Real McCoy

During Prohibition, rum running had a king. Based out of Florida, with a special brand of criminal dealing, Bill McCoy became known for his truth in advertising - and his ability to avoid capture. Until he couldn't any longer. That, plus the history of rum, more musical theater references, and an invitation to Nevada.

Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here!

 

Thank you to Claire White from the Mob Museum! Check out the museum, and pay them a visit if you're ever in Las Vegas!

 

All of the music was originally composed.