Things to do / Travel Guide
Interesting Facts About Florida Panhandle
- Why do we love the city of Apalachicola? Because this city is where air conditioning and the refrigerator were invented, in 1842, by one Dr. John Gorrie. He hoped to control the room temperature of the hospital at which he worked. Thanks, Dr. Gorrie!
- Jacksonville is the largest city in the continental U.S., area-wise. It covers 875 square miles, compared with New York City's 470 square miles and Los Angeles' 500.
- Micanopy is known for its old-time Victorian architecture and Southern charm. For these reasons it has been chosen as the set for two big-time Hollywood movies - “Doc Hollywood” (starring Michael J. Fox) and “Cross Creek” (starring Rip Torn).
- Back in the early days of European exploration, the manatee's nose, which flits up out of the water and then sinks down again, was thought to be the sign of a mermaid's presence.
Northeast Florida Fun Facts
- Northeast Florida's Pensacola is also known as the "City of Five Flags". Pensacola's interesting history shows that the city switched rules five times. At different times in history Pensacola was ruled by the Spanish, French, English, Americans, and Confederates. Amelia Island, located just north of Jacksonville, beats out Pensacola with a record of being ruled by eight national flags!
- The Saint Johns River, located in Northeast Florida, actually flows northward, instead of southward.
- The world's first skyscraper was built in 1901 in Jacksonville. "Skyscraper" is actually a building method that employs internal beams and curtain wall technologies, rather than just being a tall building.
Daytona Beach Fun Facts
- Some years, the Daytona 500 NASCAR auto race brings in more than 250,000 spectators each year; and Daytona Beach's Bike Week brings 500,000 bikers and enthusiasts to the city annually. For 500,000 people to converge on the city for this famous event would be like all of Wyoming crowding into a city smaller than Boulder, Colorado.
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