La Florida: December 2008

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Monday, December 15, 2008

Ft. Caroline National Memorial

Photo by Mark M.
9/17/2008

From the National Park Service:

Three hundred colonists left France to establish a permanent settlement in North America. The colonists consisted of some of the best as well as some of the worst elements of French society. Included were some of the leading families of France, wearing gilded armor and brightly colored clothes. Other representatives of French society included artisans to provide entertainment and produce drawings, and laborers to build the fort. The desire for permanency was illustrated by the inclusion of women, of whom at least four had husbands. Most were Huguenots, but there were also Catholics and agnostics. The colonists were seeking opportunity and freedom in a distant land.

Capturing the Events on Paper

French artist Jacques le Moyne de Morgues came with Laudonniere to Florida in 1564. His job was to paint images of the people, flora and fauna, and geography of this part of the New World. Le Moyne was one of the few who escaped from Fort de la Caroline when the Spanish attacked in 1565. He found refuge on a French boat, along with Laudonniere and several others, and returned to Europe, where he recreated from memory scenes of the New World.

More can be found here.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Passing by

For those of you who are just passing by, you might want to click on the ad for Florida boating...it's three ads in. It's Lake County's eco-tourism website and very much in keeping the La Florida website. I hope to get down there next year.