Florida Memory is administered by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, Bureau of Archives and Records Management. The digitized records on Florida Memory come from the collections of the State Archives of Florida and the special collections of the State Library of Florida.
State Archives of Florida
- ArchivesFlorida.com
- State Archives Online Catalog
- ArchivesFlorida.com
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State Library of Florida
Related Sites
Listen: The Latin ProgramPhoto Exhibits
Photo exhibits spotlight various topics in Florida history, and are accompanied by brief text intended to place selected materials in historical context.
Tin Can Tourism
The Golden Age of Camping
After World War II, more and more Americans took to the open road to explore the nation and spend vacations in their vehicles. Although the increasing number of hotels and resorts eventually caused a decline in camper-traveling, ever-more-sophisticated trailers and campers allowed people more comfort and convenience as they sought to combine leisure with their love of traveling.
Camping area at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: Monroe County, Florida (June 10, 1969)
Image number: C673506
Dick Layton at Layton's Cottage, Trailer, and Fishing Park during construction of cottages: Riviera Beach, Florida (1935)
Image number: PR30427
Unidentified woman standing in front of building at Layton's Cottage, Trailer, and Fishing Park: Riviera Beach, Florida (ca. 1938)
Image number: PR30420
View showing visitors with their boat trailer at the Pahokee State Park: Palm Beach County, Florida (June 1974)
Image number: COM00828
Fred and Violet Holtzman in the office of the Tampa Municipal Trailer Park (1939)
Image number: RC13592
Fred and Violet Holtzman are manager and business manager of the trailer park.
View of the Flamingo camping area at Everglades National Park: Everglades National Park, Florida (1960)
Image number: C032102
Young woman prepares a meal at a camping convention: Gainesville, Florida (1962)
Image number: C038613
Evelyn Stillwell teaches a ballet class: Sarasota, Florida (1953)
Photo by: Charles Barron
Image number: C017581
By the middle of the century, state and national parks equipped themselves to accommodate various types and sizes of camping vehicles. Resorts and villages catering to camper travelers and seasonal residents offered amenities such as art classes and music and dance lessons, as well as leisure and sport facilities such as exclusive covered swimming areas and shuffle board courts.
Square dancers at the trailer park: Sarasota, Florida (1957)
Photo by: Stokes
Image number: C024600
Accompanying note: "Square dancing is but one of dozens of activities on the weekly program of a Florida trailer park. These couples are taking dance instruction in the community clubhouse of the mobile park."
Car and trailer crossing a bridge: Astor, Florida (1957)
Photo by: Francis P. Johnson
Image number: C024681
Campers in Ocala National Forest: Ocala National Forest, Florida (1961)
Photo by: Stokes
Image number: C037658
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Smith camp at Apalachicola National Forest: Leon County, Florida (1961)
Photo by: Stokes
Image number: C037366
View of the Briny Breezes Trailer Park: Delray Beach, Florida (1963)
Photo by: Johnson
Image number: C640329
Campsites at Knights Key Park Campground: Marathon, Florida (1965)
Photo by: Johnson
Image number: C650521
Family in their camping trailer: Monroe County, Florida (1966)
Photo by: Johnson
Image number: C651605
Family with their travel trailer: Monroe County, Florida (1966)
Photo by: Johnson
Image number: C651610
Campers at unidentified Florida Key's campground: Monroe County, Florida (1972)
Photo by: Johnson
Image number: C679227
View showing area for camping at the Hillsborough River State Park: Thonotosassa, Florida (197-)
Image number: COM00351
The Hillsborough River State Park opened in 1938 as one of Florida's first state parks. It is divided by the swiftly flowing Hillsborough River. Fort Foster, a replica of an 1837 fort from the Second Seminole War, is located on the park grounds, adjacent to the river.
People picnicking near camper at St. Andrews State Park: Panama City, Florida (1977)
Image number: COM00940
The park opened in 1951 and now consists of more than 1,260 acres. During World War II, it was part of St. Andrews Military Reservation. Circular cannon platforms are still in place on the beach near the jetties.
View of visitors feeding ducks near campers at the Busch Gardens amusement park: Tampa, Florida (19--)
Image number: COM01441
Features
Territorial Legislative Council Records, 1822-1845
Documenting Florida's legislature prior to statehood
State and County Officer Directories, 1868-1969
Lists of Florida's state and county officials either elected or appointed between 1868 and 1969.
Guide to Military Records and the Wartime Experience
A guide to government records and manuscript collections relating to service members and the wartime experience.
Dust Tracks
21 tracks from Hurston's time documenting African American culture for the WPA in 1930s Florida.
History Day 2025
Resources for Florida History Day from the State Library and Archives of Florida.