Ray Charles Robinson was born in 1930 in Greenville, Florida to a laborer and a laundress. His mother Aretha was only fifteen when she became pregnant by Ray's father Bailey, who was married and had taken her in as a child. To flee the scandal, she moved to Albany, Georgia before returning to Florida after Ray was born. Bailey's wife helped with Ray's upbringing after Bailey … [Read more...] about Ray Charles Landmarks Fans Can’t Miss
St. Augustine
16 Lighthouses to Visit in Florida
Lighthouses were created to safely signal to incoming boats and once were found throughout the Southeast. Few remain today because of erosion and hurricanes, but Florida is blessed with over sixteen that travelers can visit. We've left out the ones that are in open water and not easily accessible. Some are also temporarily closed. You'll find the majority clustered … [Read more...] about 16 Lighthouses to Visit in Florida
Literary South: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings was born on August 8, 1896, in Washington DC. The daughter of a patent lawyer, she became interested in writing by the age of six. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she studied English. She worked for the school's literary magazine, where Marjorie first met Charles Rawlings. They were married … [Read more...] about Literary South: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
The Gilded Age Landmarks of the South
The Gilded Age was a lavish time in American history when the nation's wealthiest families built over-the-top mansions to showcase their status. But their power wasn't limited to places like New York, Chicago, and Newport. These people also made summer homes and hotels in the South, many of which still exist today. This story is based on one I wrote for Fodor's. You can … [Read more...] about The Gilded Age Landmarks of the South
Visiting the Fountain of Youth
While visiting St. Augustine, Florida, a stop at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is necessary. It's based on the site where Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon claimed to have found a spring with waters that made the drinker younger. Whether this proved to be true remains to be seen, but it is still one of Florida's more popular attractions. Upon entering the park, … [Read more...] about Visiting the Fountain of Youth
