The Wandering Disciple

Sitting high atop Iron Mountain, the famous singing tower of Bok Tower Gardens serenades the countryside several times a day.  The tower features a 60-bell carillon which rings hourly and twice a day there is a concert played on the clavier located within the tower. The tower is built at the summit of Iron Mountain, a peak that rises 225 feet above sea level, one of the tallest points in Florida. (Photo: May 11, 2019)

While most people think of his "I Have a Dream" speech on the National Mall in Washington DC as his most notable works, Dr King's Letter from Birmingham Jail is my favorite piece that he has written.  From a tiny jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr King wrote one of the most important pieces of the civil rights movement.  In the letter, Dr King urged the peaceful protesters to take action by breaking the unjust laws rather than wait for the courts to deem these laws unjust.  In the letter Dr King wrote that "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." You can learn more about Dr King and his impacts on the civil right movement by visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo: December 20, 2014)

A coin press sits on display in the basement of the Old US Mint in New Orleans.  A small museum in here pays tribute to the New Orleans Mint that was in operation from 1838-1909.  The mint was the only one in the country to print currency for two nations, the United States of America and the Confederate States of America.  (Photo: November 21, 2017)

This boardwalk over the marsh just outside St Augustine was once the site of Fort Mose, the first Black settlement in North America. In 1738, Governor Manuel de Montiano ordered the creation of a fort north of the city. Slaves that were able to escape their British captors were sent here where they were declared free and given the opportunity to serve in the Spanish army.  Today the ruins of the fort are considered the premier site on the Florida Black History Trail.  (Photo: November 12, 2011)

Within the walls of this popular DC theater, the history of our nation would change forever following the assassination of President Lincoln at the hands of John Wilkes Booth.  The First Family was enjoying a night at the theater when Booth stormed the box, shooting Lincoln.  Today the theater and the nearby Peterson House are preserved in memory of the fallen leader.  (Photo: February 14, 2009)

Atlanta, Georgia: The sweet Auburn Community in Atlanta is home to the most powerful civil rights leaders our country has ever known. His legacy is alive and well at the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site where visitors can pay tribute to Dr King’s legacy by walking through the streets of his childhood. The vision of preserving the history of this neighborhood began in 1974 with several building being added to the National Register of Historic Places. The preservation expanded in 1977 when it was declared a National Historic Landmark. The Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site was finally established in 1980 and included roughly 35 acres historically significant buildings. A visit to the historic site begins with a stop at the Visitor’s Center. A walk down the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame through the Gandhi Promenade will lead you from the parking lot into the Visitor’s Center. Here you will find exhibits that chronicles the life of Dr King and...

Located near the headquarters of the Florida National Guard, the St Augustine National Cemetery is the final resting place for 2,788 fallen heroes. The first interment took place in 1828 as it served as the post cemetery for St. Francis Barracks. Over 1,400 soldiers from the Seminole Wars are buried in a mass grave marked by three pyramids. The cemetery became a National Cemetery in 1881. The superintendent lodge pictured here was added to the St Augustine National Cemetery in 1938. (Photo: November 13, 2011)

The canons of Castillo de San Marcos helped protect St Augustine from attacks from Matanzas Bay. The fort began construction in 1672 and is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. Built by the Spaniard, the fort has been occupied by the British, Americans and Confederates during its long standing history. The fort was removed from active duty in 1900 after 205 years of service. Today the fort is a national monument and is operated by the National Park Service. (Photo: November 12, 2011)

The boardwalk at Fort Mose State Park takes you into the wetlands that was once the first free African American settlement in the United States. Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de More was sanction in 1738 by the Spanish Governor of Florida and was a sanctuary for African Americans for over 25 years. (Photo: November 12, 2011)

Built by the Danes in 1679, Skytsborg Tower was used to protect the harbor from invaders. However it gets the name of Blackbeard's Castle from lore that pirate Edward Teach, known as Blackbeard, used the tower as a watchout. Today is is one five National Historic Landmarks in the Virgin Islands. (Photo: October 24, 2006)

A locomotive from the Savannah and Atlanta Railway sits on display at the Georgia State Railroad Museum. Housed in the Central of Georgia Railway Savannah Shops and Terminal Facilities, the museum takes a look at the railroad history of Georgia. (Photo: March 15, 2014)

Savannah, Georgia: Savannah’s location on the Atlantic makes it a prime port for the United States but what makes in a important sea town also makes it vulnerable to an attack from the sea. So to help combat a sea attack, Fort James Jackson was constructed up river to help defend the city. Under threat of attack by either England or France, President Thomas Jefferson ordered the nation fortify its coast. So at the site of an old English battery from the American Revolution, Fort James Jackson was constructed. It took almost four years to complete the fort, opening in 1811. Combined with Fort Pulaski and Fort McAllister, Fort Jackson was the last line of defense for the city of Savannah. Completed in time for the War of 1812, it did not see action until the Civil War. After being bombarded by Union ships, Fort Jackson was overtaken by the Union troops in 1864. It would be under Union control throughout the entire occupation of Savannah. Fort Jackson remained active for the ...

Savannah, Georgia: For decades our nation was connected by rail. People and goods passed from coast to coast on this vast network of railways and there is no better example of the rail era then the Georgia State Railroad Museum. The museum is housed in one of the most complete Antebellum rail complexes in the nation. It is the oldest and largest 19th century rail complexes in the country. Thirteen of the original structures still remain at the museum. The 33 acre site has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and declared a National Historic Landmark. The complex was built in the late 1800’s for the Central of Georgia Railway. A major fire in the early 1920’s damaged a bunch of the buildings but they were later rebuilt. The complex remained in operation until 1963 when the Southern Railway bought out Central of Georgia and closed the facility. Southern transferred the complex to the City of Savannah and in 1989 the Coastal Heritage Society opened the mus...

Once the heart of the New York City Police Department, today the old NYPD headquarters in Little Italy is now high-end luxury apartments. Opened in 1909, the building functioned at the headquarters of the police department through 1973 when the it was relocated. The building remained vacant until 1983 when the city agreed to plans from a developer to transform the building into luxury apartments. (Photo: April 26, 2004)

This rustic homestead in Cross Creek was the home of author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. From this rural home, Rawlings wrote the Pulitzer Prize winner novel “The Yearling”. Today the home is part of Florida State Park system and visitors can take a glimpse into the life of Mrs Rawlings. (Photo: November 10, 2013)

Cross Creek, Florida: From the porch of this rustic cabin in rural Florida, author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings wrote literary works that still entertain readers almost 75 years later. It is here she got the inspiration for her Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Yearling. Rawlings moved to the farmhouse in Cross Creek in 1928. She lived here for 25 years before moving to St Augustine where she later died. During her time in Cross Creek, she wrote several literary pieces including The Yearling, Cross Creek, South Moon Under and more. Most of her books reflected her love of Florida.  Today, her homestead is now a Florida State Park. Here visitors can tour the farm lead by history interpreters dressed in 1930’s attire. You can view the homestead furnished with Rawlings personal items, view the tenant house, see the farm or just walk through the gardens and orange grove. There is also a small nature trail that leads into the Cross Creek wilderness. The homestead was listed on ...

A wetland is all that remains of Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, also known as Fort Mose. Fort Mose Historic State Park is the site of the first black settlement in the United States. Established in 1738, the fort is considered a precursor to the Underground Railroad. (Photo: November 12, 2011)

Housed inside the historic Tampa Bay Hotel building, University of Tampa's Plant Hall has a very storied past.  Built by Henry Plant in the late 1800's, the hotel was once the icon of luxury travel.  Many famous American's stayed in the luxury accommodations of the resort and it also served as a base camp during the Spanish-American War.  The hotel closed in 1930 due to the economic collapse caused by the Great Depression.  Today, the building serves as the administration complex for the University of Tampa and also houses the Henry B Plant Museum.  (Photo: July 27, 2013)

A beacon of freedom standing tall in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty has been greeting visitors for over a hundred years. Dedicated in 1886, the Statue of Liberty was given to the United States as a gift from France. The statue was designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. (Photo: August 28, 2005)

Nestled between the skyscrapers of the financial district lies Trinity Church. The church’s history dates back to 1696 when the Church of England purchases land in lower Manhattan to construct a new church. The church we see today is actually the third one built at the site, the first was destroyed by fire and the second deteriorated due to the elements. This third church was built in 1846. Its 283 foot tall spire was the tallest point in New York until 1890. Today the church continues to host a full schedule of services as well as host a musical programs and house a historical museum. (Photo: April 27, 2004)