Welcome and Early History (1800-1975)
Preface
Welcome to my newest CJ. Oketockee, This journal will follow the trials and tribulations, growth and development, city planning and politics, and adventures surrounding this fictional Floridian metropolis. Many may have seen my previous work, Renault, in the CJ forum section. As with that CJ, my style involves planning combined with organic growth.
Early History of Oketockee
The region was first settled in pre-European era by the Seminole Tribe. The region saw an influx of people in the late 1800s and farming and other industries such as fishing and logging became staples for the region. The area eventually became known as Dixie County, stretching from the Steinhatchee River on the Northwest and the Suwannee River on the Southeast.
Picture: Barracuda Bob's Farm and Alligator Adventure. (circa 1935)
In the early 1930s a circus promoter and owner of several road-side attractions in the Southeastern US, Barracuda Bob, came to the county in search of land to establish an Alligator wrestling nature attraction. Barracuda Bob traveled to the location of present day Oketockee and saw potential for the coastal swampland to become a vacation destination. Barracuda Bob cut a road from Cross City, Florida to his tract of land to draw tourists from the U.S. Route 19, which was constructed through the county in the late 1920s and early 1930.
Travel by automobile was still limited in the era so Barracuda Bob's Alligator Adventure never became a vacation destination. Although he kept the attraction, he scaled down the grandiose plans and utilized much of his land for industrial uses (logging and farming).
In 1936, Barracuda Bob vanished. Some say he became a meal for his pet Alligator; others say he ventured to Cuba and became a successful hotel owner; while others say he still lurks in the swamps around Oketockee. The land was auctioned off by Dixie County and David Amason, of New York City-based Amason Lumber purchased the land. Amason's company had already leased part of the property while Barracuda Bob owned it.
Amason continued to use the land for logging and agriculture. He also worked with investors to build a railroad into the region, later named the Oketockee & Gainesville RR, the company hulled logs, pulpwood, and produce from the growing village. Amason's attention turned from industry to tourism when he found Barracuda Bob's plans for the vacation destination hidden in Barracuda Bob's old house.
As the industries continued to boom, Amason sold and rented parcels to other businesses and private residences. With the extra money, Amason began dredging the swamps to build up useable land as well as beachfront property. As the logging industry recessed during the 1950s, he realized the long-term success of the land would be as a town. After becoming the first mayor, he put the name of the town to a vote and the residences chose Oketockee- Seminole Creek Langue for Magnolia. The town quickly grew in the post-war baby boom era; going from a population of 500 in 1950 to over 3,000 by 1965.
Picture: Downtown Oketockee in the mid 1940s.
Picture: The first big construction boom in the post-war era during the 1950s (circa 1953)
Picture: Downtown Oketockee during the early 1970s (circa 1972)
Barracuda Bob's vision of a tourist destination became a reality during the 1960s and 70s, well sort of, he did not envision the popularity of eco tourist (hippies) that traveled to Oketockee to enjoy the pristine beaches as well as unspoiled wildlife after residents opened doors to their houses to serve as bead-and-breakfasts. The group of residents soon created the Oketockee Tourism Bureau and named former mayor, David Amason, president. Fueled by dissention between the industry-focused Dixie County leaders and tourism-focused residents of Oketockee, the group led a campaign to break from the county. The vote was successful and much of the western areas of Dixie County became known as Cove County, after the Horseshoe Cove that defines the coastal outline of the region.
Picture: The Amason House is now home to the Cove County Historical Society and Tourism Bureau offices.
Teaser
We'll continue with History Part 2, Modern Growth (1975-2001) soon. For now here is a teaser for that:
Picture: One of the many Publix grocery stores located in the metro area. The Butler Creek Parkway location pictured.
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