The term cracker was in use during the elizabethan era to. From the language they spoke to the houses they built, from clandestine moonshine stills. Part history, part folklore, crackeris a generously illustrated account of cracker heritage, its rich history, and its disappearance as todays fastpaced society reaches even into the remote. University press of florida, 2006 history 255 pages. Florida frontiers tv florida cracker culture florida. Florida history, culture, wildlife, fiction, and other topics. Search for library items search for lists search for contacts search for a library. It is sometimes used in a neutral context in reference to a native of florida or georgia see florida cracker and georgia cracker. It runs 120 miles eastwest from fort pierce to bradenton. For over 200 years scholars have attempted to define the crackers, but their name is as elusive as their nature, their character as tough as floridas hardscrabble countryside, and any real cracker will tell you thats just the way they like it. The early scotsirish settlers were mostly presbyterian, baptist and methodist. The cracker culture of florida history and executive director of the 450th commission, said, crackers are the very foundation of rural florida. What the author failed to emphasize was that western frontier people had much in common with the crackers of florida.
Claire writing of the culture of the florida cracker shows deep respect and understanding. Of the many rich themes in florida history, the story of the cracker is perhaps the most colorful and endearing to visitors and residents. Since its beginning in 1967, cracker trail museum has collected over 4,000 items related to pioneerera florida history. From the language they spoke to the houses they built, from clandestine moonshine stills and cowhunting to grits and gravy, dana ste. By cracking a whip they herd cattle while seated on cracker horses, sturdy equines bread for cattle work. The florida cracker trail has an interesting and exciting history. Claire author, the cracker culture in florida history, cracker culture historian dana was born in central florida, and raised every summer of his childhood deep in the ocala national.
Cracker, the cracker culture in florida history, i am an avid reader of florida history and i bought cracker by dana ste. Claire does a fine job of organizing his research into the history of cracker culture in florida into a. Pictures of cracker country and pioneers of the west are included in this packet. Cracker trail museum and pioneer village zolfo springs, florida. Claire, organizer of the exhibit entitled cracker culture in florida history.
Jul 01, 20 their hope was to honor the areas history. Most of them can scale a fish, skin a squirrel, plant potatoes, change a tire, and sweep a room. Claire does a fine job of organizing his research into the history of cracker culture in florida into a concise, easy to read, text. Cracker, sometimes white cracker, is a ethnic slur used against white people, used especially against poor rural whites in the southern united states. To stretch their legs, refuel, and find a good meal at a fair price. A history of the florida cracker cowboys tampa magazine.
This volume part anthology, part anthropology, part history, part folklore celebrates florida s rich and diverse cracker heritage. Florida crackers were colonial era british and american pioneer settlers and their descendants in what is now the u. Florida frontiers tv episode 36 cracker culture youtube. Cracker, sometimes white cracker or cracka, is a term for white people, used especially for poor rural whites in the southern united states. Claire is personally involved in cracker history and he has presented a great, documented description of cracker cultureboth past and present. Florida frontiers tv episode 36 cracker culture example florida cracker home with dog trot dana ste. Florida cracker culture florida historical society. The cracker culture in florida history by dana m ste claire paperback softback, 2006 at the best online prices at ebay. For over 200 years scholars have attempted to define the crackers. Cracker culture in florida history book online at best prices in india on.
Explore 7 stops along the florida cracker trail in old florida. Cracker kids say yes, mam and yes, sir and they wouldnt be caught dead with a mohawk hairdo. From the language they spoke to the houses they built, from moonshine stills and cowhunting to grits and gravy, dana ste. Part history, part folklore, an entertaining, informative look at a slice of old florida culture. In 2000, the white house millennium council selected the florida cracker trail as a millennium trail, recognizing both its historical and cultural importance to the state and the nation. Cracker the cracker culture in florida history by dana ste.
Add onions and peppers, bay leaves, and pepper sauce, and simmer over low heat for 2 hours. I am a cracker and grew up in saddlebag cracker home in north florida where the wind in the pines sings one to sleep. Claire offers a colorful and revealing tour of crackerdom. From the language they spoke to the houses they built, from clandestine moonshine stills and. Florida crackers were colonialera british and american pioneer settlers and their descendants. As it turns out, in the area in which rachel jeantel was raised, the word cracker isnt a racial slur at all, but rather, a proud nod to the regions history, and ones own ancestry. Claire, curator, the cracker culture in florida history. The cracker culture in florida history by dana ste.
Rick tonyan, author of guns of the palmetto plains. These pioneers, mostly of scotchirish heritage, first arrived in florida. The author does so without degrading the so called cracker culture in the process. See more ideas about florida, old florida and vintage florida. The annual crossstate ride serves to highlight and preserve the importance of floridas read more. A cracker western brings together vivid images of floridas frontier people who did not just live but flourished in a time before air. Cracker trail museum and pioneer village zolfo springs. The interstate was expandingconnecting people to new placesbut people on the move couldnt count on a consistent, quality place to stop along the way. The history of the cracker trail in 1987, a group of energetic individuals, with a love and respect for history, came together to form the florida cracker trail association, to recreate a part of floridas past that has become a traditional event.
This volume part anthology, part anthropology, part history, part folklore celebrates floridas rich and diverse cracker heritage. The epithet cracker has been applied in a derogatory way, like redneck, to rural, nonelite white southerners, more specifically to those of south georgia and north florida. A cracker western brings together vivid images of florida s frontier people who did not just live but flourished in a time before air conditioning, mosquito repellent, and screens. Cracker has been used for whites the way the nword is used for african americans, according to ste. As is the case when the writing is done from the heart, the book is very good reading with much insight. Theres also a section of cracker literature which includes some poetry, and a short chapter that lists locations for a selfguided tour of cracker heritage sites and museums. Unfortunately the vast majority of current transplants to florida know nothing of, or have any interest in, the history of the rugged folks who came into florida, survived the weather, the wild. Cracker culture florida research help libguides at. Entrenched in florida folklore, romanticized in the. Unfortunately the vast majority of current transplants to florida know nothing of, or have any interest in, the history of the rugged folks who came into florida, survived the weather, the wild predator animals, and the occasional indian uprisings.
By cracking a whip they herd cattle while seated on cracker. Claire and the museum of arts and sciences deserves much praise for bringing together these vivid images of floridas frontier people who did not just live but flourished in a time before air conditioning, mosquito repellant, and screens. Part history, part folklore, cracker is a generously illustrated account of cracker heritage, its rich history, and its disappearance as todays fastpaced society reaches even into the remote backwoods of the state. Florida cracker culture florida crackers are cattle ranchers with techniques specific to the florida pine and scrub lands. For 25 years adventurous floridians have brought history to life during the last week of february crossing the state on horseback in the annual recreation of the cracker trail ride.
For over 200 years scholars have attempted to define the crackers, but their name is as elusive as their nature, their character as tough as florida s hardscrabble countryside, and any real cracker will tell you thats just the way they like it. My grandfather, peter mccaskill mcdonald was born in or around eucheeanna florida in 1898 or so. In this lesson, youll learn about the earliest days of cattle ranches in the united states and the florida. For over 200 years scholars have attempted to define the crackers, but their name is as elusive as their. The history of a florida cracker community by ray burhop 20, paperback at. Another version of the origin of cracker comes from the spanish term cuaquero, which means quaker.
In its broadest sense, florida cracker is the name for pioneer settlers and their descendants. The trails western terminus is now manatee village historical park. Florida crackers are cattle ranchers with techniques specific to the florida pine and scrub lands. During the civil war, crackersupplied cattle were the confederate armys chief source of meat, leather and hides, particularly after union ships blockaded southern ports. An entertaining, informative look at a slice of old florida culture. Cracker culture in florida history by dana m ste claire online at alibris. Add about a quart of water to the gopher meat in the dutch oven, and stir to make gravy. Claire is personally involved in cracker history and he has presented a great, documented description of cracker culture both past and present.
Florida frontiers tv florida cracker culture florida frontiers tv episode 36 cracker culture crackers are pioneer settlers who first arrived in the 1700s, and their descendants. Today the florida cracker trail spans parts of state road 66 state road 64 and u. Read the entire book if you traveled west in a covered wagon by ellen levine. I highly recommend adding this book to your library. Cracker culture topic of presentation today news the st. My name is bryan mcdonald, and im a tampa resident interested in cracker culture and florida history. Each item is maintained either within glass enclosed cases or strategically placed around the floor of the museum. Whatever its origin, the term florida cracker is used both positively and negatively. Aug 16, 2016 theres also a section of cracker literature which includes some poetry, and a short chapter that lists locations for a selfguided tour of cracker heritage sites and museums. Part history, part folklore, this is an account of the cracker heritage of north florida, its history, and its disappearance as todays fastpaced society reaches into. This article has been posted only after receiving the express written permission from the editor of halifax magazine.
The cracker storytelling festival is also annually held and includes a contest. Welcome to the world of the florida cracker, a littleknown part of american history. Part history, part folklore, this is an account of the cracker heritage of north florida, its history, and its disappearance as todays fastpaced society reaches into the remote backwoods. For many floridians, the tradition of africanamerican cattle ranchers is an integral part of the states rich story. The first of these arrived in 1763 after spain traded florida to great britain following the latters victory over france in the seven years war. Claire, cracker culture in florida history, 2006 paperback edition. The book reads well in the recognition of the research that the author put into the development of the history of the cracker culture. Read sections from the book cracker the cracker culture in florida history by dana ste. Claire 2006, paperback at the best online prices at ebay.
More than 50 years ago, a tennessee man named dan evins saw an unmet need. Resources florida cracker trail association florida. The cracker term was soon associated with the descendants of these early settlers, especially the cowboys and farmers of georgia and florida. Cracker means something entirely different in florida. Varmit the cracker version of varmint, or any small animal, especially rodents. Learn more about a unique lifeway that has endured from early spanish settlers to the present day. Claire, curator of history at the museum, we re trying to dispel those myths.