Home  Contact Us Regions: Northwest Florida Northeast Florida Central Florida Southeast Florida Southwest Florida Site Links: FlaTrips.com Archives Arts Books  Boat Tours Contests Entertainment  Events  Historic Lodging Interviews  Museums Mysteries Night Life Parks and Preserves Advertise Comments  Contributors Submit Press Releases	October 2012                                    Vol. 2 Issue 10          Florida Trips Magazine™ Feature Story          McIntosh 1890s Festival by SueAnn Carpenter Photos used by permission © 2011 Ding Darling Days Festival.                              38th Annual McIntosh 1890s Festival      On Saturday, October 27 from 8 am to 5 pm—rain or shine—you can step back in time. Just be sure to arrive early to beat the crowd in McIntosh. This festival celebrating Florida history has a Victorian ambiance with a backdrop of Victorian and Florida cracker homes set among a canopy of century-old live oak trees and residents dressed in clothing of the gay ‘90s although it’s questionable how joyous things were in central Florida at the time      The small town of McIntosh is midway between Gainesville and Ocala on US 441, and has changed little since the Depression era of the ‘30s. Their historic district (extends west from 4th Street to 10th Street and south from Avenue D to Avenue H) has an astounding 68 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These frame houses were constructed mostly of hard yellow pine, and in the architectural style known as is frame vernacular, or 'cracker', but there are also Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, and Bungalow styles. As you explore this historic area, there may develop a sense of familiarity—especially among movie buffs. McIntosh might seem familiar--because in 1991 they hosted the filming of Doc Hollywood starring Michael J. Fox and Woody Harrelson in 1991.                         McIntosh’s first festival was held in 1974 as a fund raiser to repair the town’s 1895 train depot. About 4,000 attended, and their tradition of raising money for community projects continues--with about 35,000 visitors making the trek in recent years.      There was a Col. John Houstoun McIntosh living here from the early 1820s, but during the Second Seminole Indian War (1835-1842), his plantation and sugar mill were destroyed. Several deeds record his ownership of lands, but he never actually owned the town site. However, his colorful reputation while serving during the war may have suggested the name for the town.                In 1881, following the Civil War and Reconstruction, the Florida Southern Railway (later the Seaboard Railway Co.) formed a main terminal that was constructed in McIntosh. This aided transportation of locally produced vegetables and oranges to distant markets, plus provided passenger travel. The railroad was the primary catalyst to the development which in turn stimulated the development of the interior of Florida, and required building the McIntosh Depot in 1895.  During the 1980s, the main source of the economy diversified into cattle and horses, with pastures replacing vegetable fields and orange groves.      There will be activities held at the old train depot reminiscent of early Florida development and particularly that of McIntosh plus local vendors offering crafts, native jewelry, gifts, music, and lots of food. You might bring a blanket and picnic lunch to enjoy the entertainment, while kids get their face painted and romp in the park.                                      For a step back into history and the discovery of McIntosh go to www.FriendsofMcIntosh.org for more information.	Search Query for Florida Trips Magazine™ Loucks-Christenson Publishing   Archives    Subscribe  Buy Book Email News Email Story  Publisher: Lisa Loucks Christenson Publisher Letter Credits Copyright Page Subscribe Join Newsletter Stories Inside: Monkey Jungle St. Augustine Lighthouse Ding Darling Days Butterfly World Clearwater Jazz Festival Whetstone Chocolates Destin Fishing Rodeo McIntosh 1890s Festival Orman House State Park Historic Venice Depot Bonus: 1st Annual Halloween Pet Photo Contest Cake Recipe Contest  Featured Children's Book Halloween Mini Mystery Photo and Quote Coming Next Issue
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