Palatka Florida visit

     My visit to Palatka Florida today was amazing! My first stop was the Confederate Monument in front of the Putnam County Courthouse. This monument stands tall and proud right in front of the courthouse.  As I walked up to the courthouse I could see around the base of it are cannon balls and artillery shells. The monument was erected in 1924 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

From the monument I went in search of more civil war history in the area. I came across St Marks Episcopal Church. This church was built in 1846 and was used by the Union as a barracks. During the war the church was heavily damaged and repaired to its original condition and is still used today.

St. Marks Episcopal Church

As I continued down the street I came across the Bronson - Mulholland House. This is a beautiful home that was originally owned by District Judge Isaac Bronson. He died in 1855 and is buried on the property. During the civil car this home was used as the Union and Confederacy.

After my visit to the Bronson - Mulholland home I was told about Westview Cemetery. In this cemetery there are 49 CSA soldiers, 20 Union soldiers, and 11 U.S. Colored Troops. The cemetery is a short drive southwest of the Bronson - Mulholland house. As I walked the cemetery I was happy to see the CSA and Union soldiers all had been flagged. This is a beautiful cemetery full of history.

Palatka has rich civil war history. I highly recommend a visit to this town.

My visit to Olustee Festival, I-75 Confederate Memorial, and Mt Zion Slave Cemetery.

           I went to Lake City to check out part of the Olustee Civil War Battle Festival and was amazed at some of the sites I found. While in Lake City I visited the historic museum and spoke with the volunteers and even had a small conversation with the Mayor. I learned of the history of the event and some of the current politics that have entered into event this year. The Mayor indicated he hoped they could get some of the difference solved so next year the 2 CSA groups would be back to march in the parade. We will see.

Stars and Bars flying at the Lake City Museum

          While talking with the volunteers I discovered there was another Confederate Monument just up the road past I-10 at the State Farmers Market. So off I went to find it. As I drove I was scanning the skyline for a large Confederate Naval Jack flag flying. Just past I-10 I spotted it! Flying high in the wind was a huge Naval Jack Confederate Flag! I jumped off I-75 and went to see it. It was a very windy day and I as I approached the memorial the flag was flying strong. It was a beautiful site. When I got to the memorial I found it to be very well done. There is a beautiful bench memorial with a color Battle Flag on it. There are also 4 other large monuments listing the Confederate Soldiers from 13 states and Indian nations. This monument is a must see.

The Large Naval Jack Flying right next I-75

Memorial at the base of the flag

        After seeing the Farmers Market Flag I stopped back by the museum and the volunteers told me about a Slave Cemetery in LULU which is about 10 miles outside of Lake City. I jumped in my car and went in search of this potentially amazing find. As I arrived in Lulu I could see it was pretty much a ghost town. I drove up and down small back roads hoping to find the cemetery. I had no luck. I tried to google it on my phone but I had no coverage, so I headed home. Once I was back in Lake City I googled it once again. I could not just leave knowing I was so close. Sure enough, I was VERY close. The cemetery is just south of Lulu by 1/2 mile on the main road I was on. Excitedly I spun around and traveled at 80 plus mph back to Lulu. When I arrived this time I knew where I was going! 1/2 mile past the old general store there is was. An old weathered sign marking the spot. I pulled off and headed over to see this unique cemetery. There I found 2 marked grave sites. One was Joseph Anthony the man who cared for this little cemetery for years and years. Atop his grave is a rake. I can only speculate it is the rake he used to care for this cemetery. Next to him is his daughter who carried on as care taker after her dad death in 2000. She passed in 2009. The ground is very uneven and there are no grave markers. The cemetery is in need of a caretaker for sure now as it is falling into disrepair. I will return to do a little cleaning and freshen up the flowers. I plan to see if I can get the local Sons of Confederate Veterans to help maintain it in the future.

St Road 100

Sign right off 100

2 Angels welcome you as you approach

Joseph Anthony the caretakers grave

An old rake lay atop his grave

Heading to Olustee tomorrow!

       I am super excited to be heading to Olustee Battle reenactment in Lake City! A lot will be happening starting tomorrow through the weekend. I will be posting pics and hopefully interviews. Check out their website here - http://battleofolustee.org/reenactment.html

Hidden in plain site! I visit the Alachua Lions club Confederate Monument in Newnansville.

     In 2002 the Alachua Lions club erected a monument to local Confederate Soldiers who are buried in Newnansville Cemetery. Newnansville is a ghost town now long gone to history. However at one time it was the county seat for Alachua County until the railroad bypassed it for Hogtown (later called Gainesville) and Alachua which sealed Newnansville fate. All that remains is a Plaque and beautiful cemetery. Below is a video of my visit.

My Visit to the Lake City Monument and Oak Lawn Cemetery

      I went to Lake City today to see the Battle of Olustee Confederate monument in downtown that was erected in 1928. While I was admiring the monument I looked at the base and discovered more confederate soldiers were buried at Oak Lawn Cemetery 10 blocks down the road. I love it when I find breadcrumbs like this! So off I went to find Oak Lawn Cemetery. What I discovered when I arrived caught me off guard. I found a large well cared for section with bright green grass dedicated to the unknown Confederate Soldiers. There were rows and rows of tombstones with no names on them. These were the unknown Confederate soldiers who died in the Battle of Olustee. At the entrance of the confederate section was a large monument dedicated to these soldiers. A large flag pole stand there with the Stars and Bars flying and at the front of the rows of tombstones was the last Confederate window's gravesite. She is buried there with the soldiers looking over them. What an amazing experience it was today.

      During the Civil War Lake City was important for the Confederacy's supply and transportation. Several railroads ran through the area making Lake City a town the CSA must keep. The Battle of Olustee is reenactment is done every year and is very popular. However this year there are planned protest by the misinformed public who are influenced by what they see on TV. Hopefully the event will go off without any issues and everyone can still have fun! 

Below is a video of my travels today.

Lake City Confederate Monument in Downtown section

Unknown Soldier Memorial and gravesites in Oak Lawn Cemetery

An introduction!