“Historic Photos Of Tallahassee” by Andrew N. Edel
This coffee table book of historic photographs of the Tallahassee region was created by retired Air Force veteran and current President of the Tallahassee Historical Society, Andrew N. Edel and is entitled Historic Photos Of Tallahassee. It is one in a series of “Historic Photos” compiled by various historians in varying U.S. cities and published by Turner Publishing Company. Mr. Edel’s contribution to the series shows pictures from Tallahassee’s past covering the 19th century to the late 60′s. Each and every photograph is captioned with interesting information researched by Mr. Edel and his staff. I can only imagine how difficult it was culling through the thousands upon thousands of historic photographs to choose the ones that appear in this book. I, for one, am a history aficionado and have perused hundreds of photographs online via the Florida State archives as well as the Florida Photographic Collection and Video Clips. Looking through historic photos of the area in which one lives is a fascinating thing to do, especially if some of the places photographed decades ago are still present (or, on a more melancholy note, have been demolished while one has lived in the area). The two photographs below taken from Historic Photos Of Tallahassee illustrate both points.
When my wife and I moved to Tallahassee in 1987, the building that was known as the Green Derby in the 1930′s was, by that time, part of a farmer’s market and although a bit worn, it was in good, usable shape. It closed in the late 90′s and remained empty and dormant for several years until 2003 when Centerpoint Church purchased the building and adjoining property and began extensive renovations for their offices.
This picture from the 1930′s is of College Avenue and obviously it looks quite a bit different now. Two items of note I wish to point out. First, as the caption in the book informs, the State Theatre was indeed demolished in 1988; however the sign, as seen in the photograph, was saved by someone or some group I cannot recall that preserves vintage neon signs. I seem to remember that they had plans to restore the sign to working order. Also, for whatever it’s worth, the theater itself opened around 1910 and was originally called the Capital City. In 1914 the theater was purchased by C.E. Daffin and renamed the Daffin Theatre. In 1932, it was remodeled and again renamed, this time as the State but was destroyed in a blaze in 1933. It was subsequently rebuilt in an art deco style, retaining the same name, but closed for good in 1971.
On the right of the photo of College Avenue you can see the storefront sign for Moon Jewelry Company (also known as Moon Jewelers). By the time we moved to Tallahassee they had already moved to a store just north of the downtown area on North Monroe Street. They had been in business for decades but after Mr. Moon died, the business slowly declined and eventually closed.
Overall, this is a fascinating book full of interesting information on the history of the city. I wish Mr. Edel would have included more photographs and exanded the time frame to include the 1970′s. However, I understand limitations had to be made. It is a very good look into Tallahassee’s past which will whet the appetite of local and regional history buffs.
A big ol’ Tallahassee welcome to readers from Stop The ACLU, Outside The Beltway, The Virtuous Republic, Perri Nelson’s Website, Rosemary’s Thoughts, Stix Blog, Right Truth, The Populist, Stuck On Stupid, Leaning Straight Up, The Amboy Times, Adeline & Hazel, MacBros’ Reviews, Right Celebrity, third world county, Woman Honor Thyself, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, Right Voices, MoreWhat, AZAMATTEROFACT, A Blog For All, 123beta, Adam’s Blog, Inside The Northwest Territory, Mac’s Opinion, Webloggin’, Cao’s Blog, Big Dog’s Weblog, The Bullwinkle Blog, The Pet Haven, Conservative Cat, Conservative Thoughts, Nuke’s, The Crazy Rants Of Samantha Burns, Blue Star Chronicles, Republican National Convention Blog, High Desert Wanderer, Gone Hollywood. Also a big Big Bend “thank you” to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
October 20th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
hey carl great stuff thanks for sharing, your trackbacks finally hit. as i don’t just trust haloscan i actively search and post them myself so some times that’s a slow process.. but any time you have something you’d like to promote please don’t hesitate to do so you’re alway welcome.
i have a site that this is a good fit for, Public Domain Clip Art at http://publicdomainclip-art.blogspot.com/ lots of images and people interested in images, so you might want to post there as well.
thanks again your friend sookietex
October 20th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Don’t like the candidates for prez? Listen in at 9pm est
I did not write this, but I am supporting Duncan Hunter. Please give him a chance and listen to the grassroots who are supporting him. Thank you.
October 20th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
It went through my Haloscan, but it is not showing up here. I’ve also added it to my today’s open trackback. I hope you don’t mind.
October 20th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Navy’s riverine force plans first homecoming since Vietnam
While I did not write this article, Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser did, I believe it one that should be shared. Our men have done well since their inception of the Navy (and all other branches), and it is about time we all stood up and said so. Let’s support ou…
October 21st, 2007 at 6:05 pm
That’s great stuff. I’d like to see a book with all the historical postcards from my hometown, Rochester, NY. You know, interspersed with historical descriptions and anecdotes…
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:41 pm
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October 23rd, 2007 at 11:33 pm
Thanks for the very kind remarks about “Historic Photos of Tallahassee”, having grown up here in the 1950s and 1960s I’d never thought I’d return, and much less did I think I would have the opportunity to do this book. Also thanks for the interesting tidbits about Tallahassee, from comments like yours I think I have learned more about Tallahassee AFTER writing the book. I also wish we could have added more photos, but as you noted there were constraints. Much credit belongs to Turner publishing who did a nice job on the photos and on the layout.
Again Thanks and I’m glad your enjoying learning about the fascinating history we have in Tallahassee, I certainly am.. The Author
January 24th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Sorry if this is not the right place to ask. Having lived thru the depression I hope to write a book on the Great Depression. What are the possibilities of usig the photo of the State Theatre and old cars in my book.
Thanks, David
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:08 am
Mr. Edel,
I am extremely impressed with your work. Having known you from college days in 1975-76, it is exciting to see how you “turned out”!! Congrats. History is so vital because younger generations would not know anything about areas if it were not for people as yourself who tell the story. This is a part of USA!! We have many immigrants who would never know unless historians record such things as you do. Great job well done. God bless you and your wife and family, Gail