The ride begins at a site just east of bradenton, florida, and ends with a parade through downtown ft. The collections held within the walls of cracker trail museum consists of early photographs of hardee county along with information concerning each, pioneer farm implements, pioneer household goods, and educational and professional items once used in the school system and businesses. Cracker trail museum interesting small museum highlighting this area of florida. Where old florida endures cows, orange groves, country roads and oldfashioned downtowns. Home florida cracker ranch atv trails and 4x4 mud park. Cracker trail museum and pioneer village zolfo springs, florida. Florida portrait cracker trail museum and village the florida. The slow pace of the drive, about ten miles per day, allowed the cattle to graze. Feb 18, 2017 during the cracker whipcracking contest, participates compete to see who can crack the most buttery flaky crackers. Frequently asked questions about cracker trail museum. The museum focuses on school field trips and opportunities for the public to learn about old florida. Upon exiting the museum, visitors take a step back in time to explore an authentic 19th century cracker homestead, much like those scattered throughout florida at the turn of the century.
For example, if an event ends at 3 pm, it should be available for viewing by 3 pm the following day. Florida portrait cracker trail museum and village the. Cracker trail museum 2822 museum dr, zolfo springs, fl. Cracker country christmas tampa floridas living pioneer. Highway 98 on november 20, 2000, the florida cracker trail was selected as a community millennium trail. Florida crackers are cattle ranchers with techniques specific to the florida pine and scrub lands. Pierce, florida, a total of approximately 120 miles 190 km. Aug 21, 2010 cracker trail museum zolfo springs, fl. The museum supports itself through ticket sales, membership, fundraisers, and donations. Visit cracker trail museum on your trip to zolfo springs. A finished florida trail passport will be awarded a stamp from the us forest service that includes the year your hike is completed.
Each days ride is approximately 15 to 20 miles in length. The opinions expressed in the getaway ideas, floridians favorites and readers comments do not necessarily represent those of visit florida. View all attractions near cracker trail museum on tripadvisor. A history of the florida cracker cowboys tampa magazine.
Cracker trail museum zolfo springs, fl museums mapquest. Service along the trail florida cracker trail association. With an outstanding selection, easytouse search tools and descriptive hotel profiles, youll find cracker trail museum hotel deals in a wink. Since its beginning in 1967, cracker trail museum has collected over 4,000 items related to pioneerera florida history. However, weve now come to the point where it is more than commonplace to talk about, and develop different technologies that will improve both the quality of life for farmers, as well as. Please follow our journey and lifestyle through our social media and products that we. Florida portrait cracker trail museum and village time. More of floridas cowmens culture can be found in numerous rodeos that bring crowds to arcadia, homestead, bonifay, and dozens of other rural. Yesterday we went for a drive on the florida cracker trail. We offer florida outdoor adventure memberships for year round use. A florida cracker usually has a rural upbringing, either on a farm or in a small town with plenty of woods and water for hunting and fishing and land for planting.
Antique, archaeological, artpaintings, photographs and equipment, tools ancient anf antique. This trail across central florida was blazed out of necessity more than anything else. Called the cracker trail, it offers subtle beauty and littleknown history as it links bradenton on the gulf coast to fort pierce on the atlantic. 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. The florida cracker trail runs from just east of bradenton, and ends in fort pierce, a total distance of approximately 120 miles 190 km in years past, this route was used for both cattle and horses. Today it includes parts of state road 66, state road 64, and u. The museum bills itself as the cracker trail museum. Florida agricultural museum is on track with new train, dirt.
Florida cracker trail remains a window into history mpnod. Went over to the cracker trail museum about a mile away from my peace river tt campground site. The florida cracker trail museum is a collection of old buildings from around hardee county a cabin an old blacksmiths shop a 1914 woodburning locomotive. The ride is open to advanced riders and trained horses, and ends each year with a parade through fort pierce.
About the cracker trail museum zolfo springs, florida. Cattle rustlers guided cattle out of the underbrush of central floridas forests before embarking on the florida cracker trail. The 50plusyearold longleaf pines growing on the museum grounds provide a majestic canopy and create an enjoyable walking trail for visitors. Forest capital museum state park is a acre park in taylor county, florida, dedicated to the history of forestry in the state. However, weve now come to the point where it is more than commonplace to talk about, and develop different technologies that will improve both the quality of life for farmers, as well as their. Cracker trail museum zolfo springs 2020 all you need to know. Many of the larger items are provided in a setting that would be reminiscent of pioneer living. Two unique features of the park are the cracker trail museum and pioneer village. A collection of original artifacts from hardee county and the surrounding area, donated by ancestors of its. Visitors to the museum can see museum exhibits, attend events at the museum, and access museum educational programs. Passport stamps can be found along the florida national scenic trail and in our 11 established gateway communities.
Did you know that you can follow in the footsteps of florida cracker cowboys. Cracker trail museum in zolfo springs cracker trail museum. Jul 26, 2002 cracker trail museum gc760c was created by jakes grandma and grandpa and cruiser two tb on 7262002. Cracker trail museum in zolfo springs cracker trail. Cracker trail museum and pioneer village zolfo springs. Floridas unpredictable weather, from neverending downpours to oppressive heat, was just one challenge the cracker cowboys faced on the trail.
The content for this web site has been provided both by professional travel writers and by individual consumers. Hurricane irma severely impacted the area and parts of the park were closed for repairs. Flaglerlive along with the old florida museum and its six programs on archaeology, timucua indians, ships and sailors, florida cracker pioneers and. It was founded with the purpose of preserving floridas rural heritage. We focus on providing educational field trips for florida elementary students. Cracker trail museum, located in zolfo springs, fl, promotes research and public education through its museum collection.
Florida crackers were colonialera british and american pioneer settlers and their descendants in what is now the u. Cracker trail museum was started by the peace river valley historical society in 1967. It was founded with the purpose of preserving florida s rural heritage. The florida agricultural museum provides a fun and educational experience for all ages. 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.
The florida cracker trading company is more than a lifestyle brand its a way of life. Cracker trail museum zolfo springs 2020 all you need to. Panama canal museum florida, seminole, closed in 2012. Oct 29, 2019 did you know that you can follow in the footsteps of florida cracker cowboys. Interesting small museum highlighting this area of florida. Many military items and nice salute to our veterans. Built in 1882, it is the oldest commercial establishment in st. Feb 11, 2020 the museum bills itself as the cracker trail museum. Find cracker trail museum in zolfo springs with address, phone number from yahoo us local.
Annual historical one hundred and twenty mile crossstate ride from bradenton to fort pierce. Each item is maintained either within glass enclosed cases or strategically placed around the floor of the museum. Resources florida cracker trail association florida. The ride takes place on the third saturday of february. The cracker trail museum in zolfo springs provides a wealth of information regarding the trail and the cracker cowboys. Local news, events, classifieds, business directory is the scenic route to news, events and destinations. Gc760c cracker trail museum virtual cache in florida. Jan 15, 2019 the florida cracker trail organization sponsors an annual crossstate ride that reenacts the old trail drives from bradenton to fort pierce. Visit florida is the official florida tourism industry marketing corporation. An annual cracker trail ride is held the last full week in february of each year.
The ride is open to advanced riders and trained horses, and ends each year with a. When modern civilization collapses, the florida cracker will be hunting, fishing, trapping and growing his own food. Florida cracker ranch outdoor adventure memberships. Its a not chosen size geocache, with difficulty of 1, terrain of 1. The term cracker comes from the cowboys in the area cracking the whip to keep the cattle moving so that they. Forest capital museum state park florida state parks. Zolfo springs is home to the cracker trail museum and pioneer village. Florida cracker trail museum keltruth corp news blog of keltruth.
Thats because a florida cracker is self sufficient. Educational director old florida museum all group bookings 3863445006. Welcome to an old fashioned florida christmas at cracker country. Dreamed up in 2001 the florida cracker trading company came to life in 2012 with the two brothers ethan and blair henley opening up the florida cracker kitchen and the florida cracker trading company in brooksville florida.
Orbitz makes it easy to find the best cracker trail museum hotel deals for your trip. Gaveltogavel events covered by the florida channel should be available for viewing in the video library within 24hours of their conclusion. This pioneer living history museum is located at the florida state fairgrounds in tampa, florida. Cracker country is a rural florida living history museum located on the florida state fairgrounds. Each winter, dozens of people on horseback and covered wagons take the cracker trail in a recreation of the life of floridas cow hunters, pioneers of the late 1800s. Florida cracker culture florida historical society. Jul 03, 2018 the cracker cowboys rode short horses called cracker ponies across the florida cracker trail from fort pierce to bradenton. The florida cracker trail marks some of the historical routes that our cattle ranchers and their helpers traveled, as they moved vast herds of cattle across the state. Cracker trail museum, 2822 museum dr, zolfo springs, fl 2020. This year we are excited to announce the addition of a new museum wing to house the special exhibit from the florida museum of natural history dugout canoes.
Top 10 hotels closest to cracker trail museum in zolfo. Florida cracker trail association the idea of implementing digital technologies in agriculture was regarded as pure science fiction not very long ago. During the cracker whipcracking contest, participates compete to see who can crack the most buttery flaky crackers. The florida cracker trail association is a nonprofit organization of volunteers dedicated to the mission of keeping history alive, by educating through demonstration, the old florida cracker pioneer ways of agriculture, animal husbandry, and respect for the land as well as the hardships and joys of life on the original frontier. By cracking a whip they herd cattle while seated on cracker horses, sturdy equines bread for cattle work. Order online tickets tickets see availability directions. In addition to preserving floridas agricultural past, the museum is also active in the conservation of heritage livestock including rare florida cracker cattle, horses, and sheep. The florida cracker trail follows a route across the state from bradenton to fort. The idea of implementing digital technologies in agriculture was regarded as pure science fiction not very long ago. Away from the beaches and high rises, theres an offthebeatentrack twolane road through floridas historic cow country. In this part of florida families go back several generations and the museum is a way for residents to. Thats the florida you find when you get off the highway and head into the.
Explore 7 stops along the florida cracker trail in old florida. Florida cracker ranch is a family club, where communities near and far can enjoy the outdoors in a fun family environment. The florida cracker trail museum is a collection of old buildings from around hardee county a cabin an old blacksmiths shop a 1914 woodburning locomotive two buggies. In years past, this route was used for both cattle and horses. Cracker trail museum zolfo springs 2020 all you need. In this part of florida families go back several generations and the museum is a way for residents to preserve the stories of their grandparents. Old florida cracker trail museum is home to more than 4,000 items, including approximately 80% of its collections that relates to florida history. The addition was funded by the felburn foundation and is scheduled to open february of 2020. The florida cracker trail organization sponsors an annual crossstate ride that reenacts the old trail drives from bradenton to fort pierce. The florida cracker trail runs from just east of bradenton, and ends in fort pierce. The annual crossstate ride serves to highlight and preserve the importance of floridas read more. Located on the florida state fairgrounds, a visit to cracker country includes 1890s history, handson demonstrations, crafts, and trades, plus original buildings dating from 18701912 which were relocated form across the state of florida. Discover the local area by spending a day checking out some of the local attractions. Originally known as pioneer park museum, it serves the public interest of the peace.
One of the things that surprised me about florida is the tremendous amount of cattle raised. A collection of original artifacts from hardee county and the surrounding area, donated by ancestors of its pioneers. Cattle were driven on foot at grazing speed across this historical swath of pasture. Florida cracker trail remains a window into history mp. We did some online research and planned our trip to the museum. The florida cracker trail runs from just east of bradenton, and ends in fort pierce, a total distance of approximately 120 miles 190 km.
Mar 04, 2020 flaglerlive along with the old florida museum and its six programs on archaeology, timucua indians, ships and sailors, florida cracker pioneers and more, the ag museums new and nearfuture. Being from oklahoma and familiar with the various cattle trails that once went through oklahoma we were surprised to find out there was once a cattle trail across florida. Dec 11, 2018 welcome to an old fashioned florida christmas at cracker country. One fascinating attraction on the trail is the pioneer park cracker trail museum in zolfo. On november 20, 2000 the florida cracker trail was. Antique, archaeological, artpaintings, photographs and. The florida cracker trail was selected as a community millennium trail on november 20, 2000. The cracker trail was one of the primary routes for cattle drives in the mid to late 1800s. Few traces of old florida remain, so its refreshing to know that some still exist.
428 8 607 1050 424 331 165 216 1470 837 945 257 1088 163 1332 467 1261 181 249 903 164 214 66 929 1156 106 443 1089 334 1313 1444 1237 1077 303 1177 1015 796 947 1357 882