The Watermark was published on October 26, 1994, and attempted to balance family and politics in dealing with national LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) issues. This new perception allowed the front page to have an article on the developing Gay Neighborhoods in Orlando and on the involvement of gay voters in upcoming elections. Another major section of the paper was dedicated to the scandal revolving around state representative Jimmy Charles, and the sex solicitation case that he was involved in that resulted in him addressing homosexuals in the same breath as pedophiles, delinquents, pimps, and more. Continuing its trend of publishing international stories, this issue addresses the Oregon Citizen Alliance accusing gays as being key participants in the Holocaust, a Colorado anti-gay bill being declared unconstitutional, and the World Health Organization’s addressing of a vaccine to treat HIV. Another issue covered was the inequality of credit for LGBTQ+ members and the proposed gay credit union for Orlando. Finally, this issue saw a spike in advertisements specifically targeting HIV+/AIDS patients.

Since 1994, The Watermark has been the cornerstone source of LGBTQ+ centered news for the Central Florida region. Founded by Tom Dyer in Orlando, the publication began generating bi-weekly issues beginning August 31, 1994. Since then, The Watermark has consistently published newspaper-style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, The Watermark became a permanent piece of LGBTQ+ culture when the publication initiated the first large-scale Gay Days Weekend event, the Beach Ball at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Before 1999, the publication printed 20,000 copies every week, distributing them to over 500 locations between its two major cities. Following 1999, the publication launched watermarkonline.com shifting to an online publication style. In 2016, Rick Claggett purchased The Watermark.]]>
The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 5, October 26, 1994: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.]]> Watermark Media]]> The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 5, October 26, 1994.]]> The Watermark Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> Watermark Media.]]> Watermark Publishing Group and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]>
The Florida Agriculturist issue published on November 9, 1887. The Florida Agriculturist began publication in 1878 with Christopher O. Codrington as its first editor. Codrington, who was from Jamaica, was an importer of exotic plants. The newspaper was published weekly through 1907, but changed to a monthly paper in 1908. The paper changed hands from Codrington to E. O. Painter by 1887. Painter had so much success with the paper that he was able to create a printing company: E. O. Painter Printing Company. The paper was directed towards the farmers and fruit and vegetable growers of Florida. The Florida Agriculturist discussed different places in Florida, especially DeLand and Jacksonville, that were the best to plant, and which fruits and plants were in season. The paper also offered railroad schedules. In the late 1800s, with a large influx of Chinese immigrants, the newspaper recommended these immigrants as farm laborers, for the purpose of replacing African-American laborers. In 1907, Painter sold the newspaper and it relocated to Jacksonville where it would last another four years eventually ending publication in 1911. Some of the topics discussed in this issue include an industrial cooperation, artificial fertilizers, the Florida Shippers Union, Roger LaRoque, the Haymarket Affair, packing for the poultry industry, the fate of anarchists for the Haymarket Affair, the role of women in the home, malaria and various other medical ailments, the use of cottonseed as fertilizer, broadcast harrowing,new city ordinanaces for DeLand, and the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.]]> The Florida Agriculturist, Vol. 10, No. 27, November 9, 1887: Maitland Public Library, Maitland, Florida.]]> The Florida Agriculturist]]> The Florida Agriculturist, Vol. 10, No. 27, November 9, 1887.]]> DeLand Collection, Volusia County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> The Florida Agriculturist.]]> Maitland Public Library and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]>
Episode 28 features a discussion of a barometer and pair of binoculars owned by Bill McCoy, the famous rum runner during Prohibition. This podcast also includes interviews with Dr. Leonard R. Lempel of Daytona State College, Dr. Mark Howard Long of the University of Central Florida, and John Beale of the Florida Maritime Museum.]]>
A History of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.]]> RICHES]]> Halifax Historical Museum]]> Library of Congress]]> Florida Memory Project]]> A History of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.]]> A History of Central Florida Collection, RICHES Podcast Documentaries Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Flash Player]]> Java]]> RICHES.]]> RICHES
]]>
The Sanford Herald on the Sanford State Farmers Market, which is the oldest of its kind in the state of Florida and was the third largest in 1941. The Sanford State Farmers' Market, located at 1300 South French Avenue, was founded in 1934 in order to provide a central location in which farmers would sell their produce directly to consumers. The idea for the Sanford State Farmers' Market was devised by Fred Dorner and Gus Schmach, both members of the Seminole Agricultural Club. Sanford Chamber of Commerce president Harry M. Papworth also contributed to the development of the market. The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) authorized construction plans on June 11, 1934. On June 20, 1934, the City of Sanford donated a portion of the Alex V. French properties to the State Marketing Board, which selected the northwest corner of French Avenue and Thirteenth Street. The board approved the installation of telegraph and telephone equipment, as well as a three-pump filling station. The Sanford State Farmer's Market opened on December 18, 1934. By 1939, the Farmers' Market was bringing a total volume of business of $627,065.81. In 1941, business volume reached over $700,000. On April 4, 1957, a fire destroyed the building and caused damages estimated at $2.5 million. Reconstruction began almost immediately and the Farmers' Market was expected to re-open by the fall of 1957. In 1991, plans were created to restore, preserve, and convert the citrus packing house into a museum.]]> The Sanford Herald, October 27, 1941, page 2: State Farmers' Market Collection, Museum of Seminole County History, Sanford, Florida.]]> The Sanford Herald]]> The Sanford Herald, October 27, 1941, page 2.]]> The Sanford Herald, October 27, 1941, page 2.]]> The Sanford Herald, October 27, 1941.]]> Museum of Seminole County History, Sanford, Florida.]]> Sanford State Farmers' Market Collection, Sanford Collection, Seminole County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> The Sanford Herald.]]> The Sanford Herald and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]>