Day Trip to Florida's Small Towns

It's been a while since I went exploring, so on July 28th I visited 2 more of Florida's small towns, Madison and Monticello. Here's a patriotic playlist to listen to if you desire while you look at the pictures. I'm very much in the patriotic mood. 😅

This memorial stands in the middle of the park.

In case anyone is interested in buying a historic property, this Dial-Goza house is for sale. 

Homes in old towns of Florida have a different style than modern houses

Then I walked through the town, going in and out of stores.

In the year 1886: 

~ T.J. Beggs & Company was founded in Madison, Fl. 

~ The Sears Company was begun by a railroad agent, Richard Sears, in Minnesota.

~ Dr. J.S. Pemberton invented Coca-Cola

~ Sates of Liberty was unveiled in New York Harbor

Click on the pictures to make them larger so you can read them. 

This building, built by William Turner Davis, remains as one of the few buildings in Fl. covered with a galvanized sheet metal facade, produced by the Mesker Brothers Iron Works of St. Louis, Missouri. Galvanized sheet metal, which is stronger than iron, can be rolled and stamped into large ornamental sheets. This building's second floor served as an opera house from 1892-1910, and also housed the law offices of William Davis's son and grandson, Charles Davis and William Turner Davis respectively. These 2 men were the only father and son who served as president of the Florida State Senate: Charles in 1915 and William in 1944. 

No joke, I have never seen a town have as many American flags as Madison. 

One store displays several Statues of Liberty, each draped with the flag in their window. 😄So patriotic - I LOVE it. 

On this site (of the sign) stood a blockhouse erected by citizens of the area to protect women, children, and old people in the threatening period of 1835-1842. It served as an informal Court House before Adoniram Vann completed the regular Court House in 1840.

The following pictures show the interesting 4 Freedoms monument. 

Franklin D. Roosevelt stated the Four Freedoms in his annual message to Congress, Jan. 6, 1941. They are: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear everywhere in the world. Walter Russell designed this memorial, symbolizing these aspirations of mankind, and was given by Women's National Institute, and dedicated to the memory of WWII hero, Caption Colin P. Kelly, Jr. on June 14, 1944. 

A tribute from the nation to honor Colin Kelly- first American hero of World War II - 1915

Quaintest little place with the cutest decor and Scripture related items.

Next, Monticello, Fl. 

Note: If you visit a small town in Fl. I'd recommend any day but Sundays and Monday. I've been to many small towns on a Monday and most of the shops are closed these 2 days. 😅 

Sights from my walk through the town.

Here's the historic courthouse. 

Anyone can walk in the first floor and look around. The police woman asked me if I'd like to see the courtroom on the second floor and of course I said yes. :) Super cool. 

This vault is on the first floor and worth visiting just to see it. There are old land deeds and records from the 1800s. 

Look at this cursive. It's gorgeous. 

I saw one land deed that said, "to have and to hold this land...." 😂

This orange tree stands on the right side. 

This Thomas Jefferson statue sits on the porch of the courthouse. They just received it from Oklahoma about 3 weeks ago. It's amazing. 

And that's a wrap of this day. If you get a chance to pass through these or any small towns in Fl. definitely worth it to stop and see/learn the history.