Week 22 – 4. Architecture

To satisfy the theme “Architecture” , I decided that I would attempt to show different styles of architecture found locally.  While camped for a long weekend at Arcadia, Barb and I went for a couple of short rides touring the area and I came back with these very different examples of “Architecture”.

This first picture shows the DeSoto County Courthouse.  This red brick courthouse was built in 1912-1913 and is of the Classical Revival style of architecture.

This next photo is of what I call a Southern Plantation style of architecture.  As you can see this house was allowed to deteriorate, but out of sight in the picture there is some much-needed restoration in progress.

These next two pictures were taken at the Hardee County Pioneer Park in Zolfo Springs.  The park is located on the famous Florida Cracker Trail and within the park are the Pioneer Village and the Cracker Trail Museum.  Both the Cracker Trail Post Office and the W.H. Hart cabin are typical of the “Cracker” style of architecture.  The post office dates to 1886 and the cabin was built in 1879.

Week 9 – 50. Up Close

This past Sunday was a LWRDPC field trip to cemeteries in the Arcadia area.  There was a wide variety of tombstones to read and take pictures of, along with learning some history of Manatee and Hardee counties.  One of the more colorful persons buried in the Joshua Creek Cemetery is a cowboy by the name of Morgan Bonaparte “Bone” Mizell.  Bone is said to be the original Florida Cracker Cowboy.  You can learn more about this local legend at:  http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=23524422.  I took this picture of his tombstone and thought that the little statue on top could be better appreciated

“Up Close”