Apalachicola Before 1861

In a world where authenticity seems to be disappearing, we Americans love our history, and when that history is a small "Old Florida" town, even today, we hunger for the details of its early story. While seeking a doctoral degree at Florida State University, Harry P. Owens began researching the town of Apalachicola, and its surrounding area. Now, for the first time his research has been made available. Now many Floridians and enthralled visitors, can read how Apalachicola struggled, thrived, and struggled again in a Florida long before Disney. Imagine St. George Island as a pirate's lair, one can read about William Augustus Bowles' exploits, even before territorial status. See the "wild west" side of early Florida with the steamboat chase, as the bank president runs off with the contents of the vault. This frontier town, at the mouth of one of the nation's great river systems, was also know for its sophistication- a library group in 1840. Social activities abounded, with a race track being established a year later. Bars, brothels and more. Newspapers document the activities of the town as well as the intense rivalry that existed with its only territorial neighbor, St Joseph. Delightfully readable, Owens also offers full documentation from his research. Hardly does a work of scholarship enthrall the reader so well, and provides a jumping off point for those who want to know more. The Apalachicola Area Historical Society and the independent Apalachicola Municipal Library have joined forces to bring this publication into existence. It is a daily occurrence that travelers from around the globe discover this special town, incorporated in 1831, and whose 1830s Episcopal Church still stand majestically in Gorrie Square. They fall in love, visit often, or even become Apalachicolians. This volume is for them.