Florida
Tucked away in Homosassa, Florida, the remnants of a steam-powered mill that once was the heart of a sprawling 5,000-acre plantation stand as a silent witness to an era marked by ambition, innovation, and profound human suffering. The Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park offers a window into the state's complex 19th-century history.
Linda and I stumbled upon the Barberville Yard Art Emporium purely by chance one sunny afternoon. Tucked away at the crossroads of State Road 40 and U.S. 17, in the heart of tiny Barberville, Florida, this colorful roadside attraction took us completely by surprise.
"Nice pig, Doc." Recognize that line? If you don’t, don’t worry—this is a bit of a trick question. The line comes from the movie Doc Hollywood and is repeated by several quirky residents of the fictional town of Grady. It’s a running gag in the film and part of what gives the movie its endearing, small-town charm. But who is "Doc"? That would be Dr. Ben Stone. And the movie? You guessed it—Doc Hollywood.
One sunny summer afternoon, we searched briefly and found the houses. They sat along the north side of Northwest Hwy 320, right in the heart of Shiloh. A wire and wooden fence surrounded them, with signs that read “No Trespassing.” From the edge of the road, we could still see them clearly and took several photos.
Stepping through its door feels like entering another era. There’s a quiet energy in the air—familiar smells of snacks, tools, and something older: history. But to truly understand the Richloam General Store, you have to know where it came from—and the people who kept it alive.