Shaped by a mix of cultures ranging from early Spanish settlers in the 1500s to invading golfers in the 1980s, Ponte Vedra Beach has a rich and unique history. Ponte Vedra was home to pre-Columbian natives, Timucuan Indian warriors, the Spanish who settled historic Diego, Scottish outlaws, Palm Valley moonshiners and the employees of the National Lead Company who created a nine-hole company golf course that would later become the world-famous Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. Further developed by visionary real estate investors, what was once a sleepy, twenty-eight-mile stretch of beach is now known as Money Magazine's "Best Place to Live in Florida" and is named among the top fifty places to live in the United States.

Ponte Vedra is well known for its beaches and world renowned for its PGA dream course, Sawgrass, but what did it look like before tourists flocked to the shores? How did Native Americans interact with the area before Spain's Ponce de Leon made his first landfall? How did Spanish rule shape the city? Join author Maurice Robinson on his journey through the hidden pages of Ponte Vedra history. Learn of America's first African fort, the community's first newspapers and the history of the city's unique Vicar's Landing. From pre-colonial beginnings to the development of Nocatee, these stories will show a side of Ponte Vedra rarely seen before.

Many historians believe that Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon was describing the landscape of Ponte Vedra Beach when he first stepped ashore the land that he named La Florida, or "place of flowers." After exploring the area north of present-day St. Augustine, he proclaimed it a place of lush landscapes and beautiful beaches. Since that day in April 1513, people from all walks of life have delighted in the natural beauty of the area. They were drawn to the charming land for many reasons, but miners who came to dig minerals out of the beach sand were the first to visually capture its history. They brought cameras with them when they arrived in the early 20th century and left behind a rich trove of photographs. Those who followed recorded their own history in photographs, and the charm and character of the land is evident in the images that fill this book.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A heartwarming novel about secrets of youth rediscovered, hometown memories, and the magical moments in ordinary lives, from the beloved author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe “A gift, a blessing and a triumph . . . celebrates the bonds of family and friends—and the possibilities of recovery and renewal.”—The Free Lance–Star Bud Threadgoode grew up in the bustling little railroad town of Whistle Stop with his mother, Ruth, church-going and proper, and his Aunt Idgie, the fun-loving hell-raiser. Together they ran the town’s popular Whistle Stop Cafe, known far and wide for its fun and famous fried green tomatoes. And as Bud often said of his childhood to his daughter Ruthie, “How lucky can you get?” But sadly, as the railroad yards shut down and Whistle Stop became a ghost town, nothing was left but boarded-up buildings and memories of a happier time. Then one day, Bud decides to take one last trip, just to see what has become of his beloved Whistle Stop. In so doing, he discovers new friends, as well as surprises about Idgie’s life, about Ninny Threadgoode and other beloved Fannie Flagg characters, and about the town itself. He also sets off a series of events, both touching and inspiring, which change his life and the lives of his daughter and many others. Could these events all be just coincidences? Or something else? And can you really go home again?

This story is about a little boy who owes all of his blessings to God. He comes from a religious family. He doesn’t quite have a full understanding of God yet, but he does know that He exists. He is very thankful for the blessings he has received.

"If you want an eye-opening portrayal of the real Michael Jackson-- delivered in a rare blend of disclosure, respect, insight, and passion-- this is it!" - Thomas A. Mesereau, Jr.