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Historical society finding its footing

By LORRIE LYKINS
Published June 28, 2006

SEMINOLE - The fledgling Seminole Historical Society is slowly gathering steam.

What began 18 months ago with a handful of residents concerned about preservation now has grown to about 100 members.

"We're feeling our way along, we have no space of our own yet and we're just beginning to gather relics and artifacts," said Nancy Barlow, who helped found the group along with the late Holland Mangum, a former mayor of Seminole.

The formation of the group was spurred by a sense of urgency to prevent the deterioration and loss of historically significant buildings in Seminole, she said.

There are so few older buildings remaining in the city that self-proclaimed old-timers like Barlow want to ensure that what still stands will remain for a long time to come.

"I'm most concerned about the Seminole Log Cabin on Seminole Boulevard, which is around 100 years old, and Seminole Elementary School on Park Boulevard, which was built in the early 1900s," said Barlow, who has lived in Seminole since 1942.

One regret Barlow has is the demolition of the Meares family homestead, which stood on the site of what is now Seminole City Park. The traditional Cracker house was bulldozed in the 1970s, Barlow said, after years of neglect and vandalism had taken its toll.

"That was a real shame. The house overlooked the pond there, but once the last family members passed on, it stood vacant for a long while and just fell apart."

The Seminole Historical Society will meet today at the Seminole Community Library at 7 p.m.

Mac Perry, an avocational archaeologist and author of eight books, including Indian Mounds You Can Visit, will be the guest speaker. The title of his talk is "The Past 12,000 Years in Seminole." Perry will describe and show artifacts of the seven cultures of prehistoric people who have lived in the Seminole area.

After today's event, Barlow said, meetings of the historical society will be suspended for the rest of the summer. Members will regroup in September. Informational fliers can be picked up at the Seminole Community Library.

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Seminole Recreation will present the third annual Red, White and Blues music festival Saturday from 3-9 p.m. at Seminole City Park, 7464 Ridge Road.

This year's theme is "Women of Blues" and will feature performers Suzette Jennings from 3-4:30 p.m., Freight Train Annie from 5:15-6:45 p.m. and the Venturas from 7-9 p.m.

Seminole High School's baseball team will hold a fish fry, and other attractions include children's activities and a car show. Information: Seminole Recreation at 391-8345.

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Ongoing events at the Seminole Community Library include family movies at 2 p.m. on Saturdays, classic movie matinees at 2 p.m. on Fridays and teen programs at 2 p.m. Thursdays. Information: 394-6905.

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The Seminole Chamber of Commerce will sponsor an after-hours ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday for the Finish Line Sports Bar & Restaurant, 7655 Starkey Road. The public is invited.

News for the Seminole Neighborhood Notebook may be e-mailed to SPTimes listings@yahoo.com or mailed to Lorrie Lykins, Seminole Neighborhood Notebook, P.O. Box 4954, Seminole, FL 33775.

[Last modified June 28, 2006, 07:15:32]