Florida Historical Society, Inc.

By May 28, 1917, the town was incorporated as Lake Wales.

The Florida Historical Society records that date and describes a developing community with a school, newspaper, electricity plant, telephone connection, and paved main roads.

The lake retained whales.

Over a century later, changing the lake to match the city would require more than editing a sign.

And the first response was, did you write about my great uncle's murder? So it may be that people will start telling me more stories and maybe it'll be a volume two in our future.

Tracy J. Revels is author of the new book, A Bloody Affair, Murders in Madison County, Florida, 1838 to 1988, published by the Florida Historical Society Press.

This is Florida Frontiers, the weekly radio magazine of the Florida Historical Society.

I'm Ben Broatmarkle.

Visit us anytime at myfloridahistory.org to find out about upcoming events like the Florida Historical Society 2027 Conference Cruise.

That's myfloridahistory.org.

¶¶ Joining us now is Connie Lester, associate professor of history at the University of Central Florida, director of the Ridges Digital Archiving Project and editor of the Florida Historical Quarterly.

Our job is to write the first draft of history, and we are there to play that role.

Keeling will be giving talks about Parsons at the Winter Park Library on November 5th at 6.30 p.m. and at the Museum of Winter Haven on November 14th at 10 a.m.

This is Florida Frontiers, the weekly radio magazine of the Florida Historical Society.

I'm Ben Broatmarkle.

Visit us anytime at myfloridahistory.org to find great books on Florida history and culture, watch our public television series, Florida Frontiers, find out about upcoming events like the Florida Historical Society Conference Cruise and much more.

That's myfloridahistory.org. People from around the world are attracted to Halloween celebrations in our state's theme parks.

Sebastian Garcia has this look at Halloween history in Central Florida.

So it's just boomed into a multi-billion dollar industry.

For Florida Frontiers, I'm Sebastian Garcia, a graduate history student, FHS media production assistant, and history podcaster at the University of Central Florida, Department of History.

We spoke with him in 2018.

This is Florida Frontiers, the weekly radio magazine of the Florida Historical Society.

I'm Ben Brotman.

Visit us anytime at myfloridahistory.org to watch our public TV series, Florida Frontiers, and much more.

Next time you visit Charlotte County, pass by the Cape Haze Pioneer Trail to see the Bunk House and read the interpretive signs that Jennifer and her team developed for one of Charlotte County's oldest buildings.

For Florida Frontiers, I'm Sebastian Garcia, a graduate history student, FHS Media production assistant, and history podcaster at the University of Central Florida, Department of History.

You've been listening to Florida Frontiers, the weekly radio magazine of the Florida Historical Society.

Please join us right here again next week.