Detour Central Florida: History by the Roadside (History & Guide)

See the Real Central Florida   

Central Florida is more than theme parks and condos. Beneath the surface lies a rich and surprising past. River pirates once ruled its inland waterways. Spanish forts and Confederate hideouts marked its wild frontier.Tarpon Springs became home to the largest Greek-American community in the U.S. French pirates sailed through Pinellas County’s bays and barrier islands. During Prohibition, the Harris Chain of Lakes tied the region to Caribbean rum-runners and Gatsby-style parties.Along the Treasure Coast, lighthouse keepers risked their lives to guide sailors past deadly shoals.

Native Floridian Jennifer Husmann brings these forgotten stories to life with vivid detail and deep research. Perfect for readers who love Florida history, hidden places, and real stories from the past. Take a journey through Central Florida like you’ve never seen it before―authentic, adventurous, and full of untold tales.

Jennifer Husmann grew up in Tampa, Florida, and studied law at the University of Florida. Her ancestors were cattlemen and citrus growers in Wauchula, and her roots in Central Florida predate the Civil War. Jennifer has spent the last twelve years with her husband, Ryan, and their three children in Sarasota, Florida.