SoWalSally
01-19-2007, 08:29 PM
The Panhandle’s evolution, as seen through a historian’s eyes
By Deborah Wheeler
One hundred and fifty years ago the beach was considered forbidding and dangerous.
“No one wanted to live at the beach,” said historian Gary Mormino in a telephone interview.
How movement to Florida’s beaches came about, how they evolved to a place of sensuality and power, is the subject of Mormino’s book, “Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams.” He terms it a social history of Florida.
Mormino is an artist in residence at Seaside this month. While there, he is investigating the growth of the area, which he said is largely still undiscovered by historians.
Mormino had passed through the area a handful of times, but this is the only time he has stayed here.
“The Panhandle was long known as a place for working class Southerners to come,” he said. “Few places in Florida have experienced this kind of transformation.”
Of particular interest to Mormino is the impact Seaside has had on the area’s transformation.
“Anyone studying modern Florida knows the impact of Seaside. It’s a fascinating place. I want to meet the people – talk to people on the ground. It’s different dynamics from the southwest Gulf Coast. Winter is busy there. But this is the way Florida used to be. It’s amazing how few people are here in January. I’m anxious to see it on foot and interview people. It’s a natural curiosity.”
One question Mormino wants to find the answer to is where the service workers live for not only Seaside, but the other resorts as well.
This is his first time to encounter the developments of WaterColor and Rosemary Beach, which he calls “Seaside spin offs.”
“I’m dazzled at those … the attention to detail at those modern, beach-front New Urban developments. It’s expensive real estate. Maybe there’s something I don’t understand,” he said in bewilderment.
In addition to his interest in the evolution of the beach communities, Mormino stresses the importance of area’s contribution during World War II.
“This area was The Citadel in WWII. Due to its WWII contribution, it’s a vital area to understand,” said Mormino.
In the past, Mormino’s getting to know the Panhandle was inhibited by the state’s size, he said.
“My task would have been easier if Alabama had purchased Northwest Florida, as it has tried to do in the past. It’s as far from Key West to Pensacola as it is from Pensacola to Chicago. It’s closer to drive from Pensacola to Dallas than to Miami. It’s difficult for historians based in Miami to get up here. It’s exciting that I get to know this area,” he said.
Mormino will visit Seaside Neighborhood School during his stay and speak with students about their relationship to the beach, the region and how history shapes their environment.
He will sign copies of his books at Sundog Books in Seaside on Jan. 27, give a noon talk at the University of West Florida on Jan. 18 and participate in the Bay County Reading Fest on Feb. 3.
PBS is making a statewide one-hour documentary based on Mormino’s “Land of Sunshine” book that will air in late summer and fall. He will serve as an advisor for the documentary, which will shoot local footage.
By Deborah Wheeler
One hundred and fifty years ago the beach was considered forbidding and dangerous.
“No one wanted to live at the beach,” said historian Gary Mormino in a telephone interview.
How movement to Florida’s beaches came about, how they evolved to a place of sensuality and power, is the subject of Mormino’s book, “Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams.” He terms it a social history of Florida.
Mormino is an artist in residence at Seaside this month. While there, he is investigating the growth of the area, which he said is largely still undiscovered by historians.
Mormino had passed through the area a handful of times, but this is the only time he has stayed here.
“The Panhandle was long known as a place for working class Southerners to come,” he said. “Few places in Florida have experienced this kind of transformation.”
Of particular interest to Mormino is the impact Seaside has had on the area’s transformation.
“Anyone studying modern Florida knows the impact of Seaside. It’s a fascinating place. I want to meet the people – talk to people on the ground. It’s different dynamics from the southwest Gulf Coast. Winter is busy there. But this is the way Florida used to be. It’s amazing how few people are here in January. I’m anxious to see it on foot and interview people. It’s a natural curiosity.”
One question Mormino wants to find the answer to is where the service workers live for not only Seaside, but the other resorts as well.
This is his first time to encounter the developments of WaterColor and Rosemary Beach, which he calls “Seaside spin offs.”
“I’m dazzled at those … the attention to detail at those modern, beach-front New Urban developments. It’s expensive real estate. Maybe there’s something I don’t understand,” he said in bewilderment.
In addition to his interest in the evolution of the beach communities, Mormino stresses the importance of area’s contribution during World War II.
“This area was The Citadel in WWII. Due to its WWII contribution, it’s a vital area to understand,” said Mormino.
In the past, Mormino’s getting to know the Panhandle was inhibited by the state’s size, he said.
“My task would have been easier if Alabama had purchased Northwest Florida, as it has tried to do in the past. It’s as far from Key West to Pensacola as it is from Pensacola to Chicago. It’s closer to drive from Pensacola to Dallas than to Miami. It’s difficult for historians based in Miami to get up here. It’s exciting that I get to know this area,” he said.
Mormino will visit Seaside Neighborhood School during his stay and speak with students about their relationship to the beach, the region and how history shapes their environment.
He will sign copies of his books at Sundog Books in Seaside on Jan. 27, give a noon talk at the University of West Florida on Jan. 18 and participate in the Bay County Reading Fest on Feb. 3.
PBS is making a statewide one-hour documentary based on Mormino’s “Land of Sunshine” book that will air in late summer and fall. He will serve as an advisor for the documentary, which will shoot local footage.