If you are fairly new to this area, you might wonder about the significance of the name, "Bartram." Schools, residential developments, and roads are named Bartram-this and Bartram-that. These eponymous titles refer to William Bartram, America's first naturalist, and author of the first book, "Bartram's Travels," that documented his exploration of the British colonies' flora and fauna in the states that would become North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. St. Johns County and the city of Palatka, Putnam County were described in that book.
Our speaker for our February meeting was Kalia Baillene of the Garden Club of Palatka. As member of the Bartram Trail Historic Society in Florida, Kalia had a lot to say about William Bartram's influence on Palatka and the surrounding areas. Our own William Bartram Scenic and Historic Highway commemorates the places Bartram visited before turning west on the St. Johns River and heading into present-day Palatka. Palatka served as the home base for many of Bartram's excursions south of the St. Johns River, and ultimately west of Palatka, into Indian territory and exploring the panhandle and part Alabama. The map above shows the markers that denote locations Bartram visited and documented. St. Johns County contains five markers, and these markers form the Bartram Scenic and Historic Highway, a special section of Rt 13 that depicts the landscape as closely as possible to the views Bartram would have enjoyed. The highway is registered as an historic byway. Palatka, on the other hand, honored Bartram's river travels. It publishes a map of the locations Bartram visited by land and boat; these sites serve as special places for those who enjoy the outdoors.
Palatka will be celebrating the Bartram Frolic on April 21-23, featuring kayak paddles, bicycle rides, and a tour of the St. Johns River by the Riverkeeper's touring boat. Local historians will help the visiting public put the location and history in context. St. Johns County will host the Bartram Bash at Alpne Groves Park on May 6.
On March 2 we'll be hosting Bradford County Master Gardener, Pat Caren. She will be talking about roadside wildflowers and wildflowers she has photographed. She is also a member of the Florida Wildflower Association. The Switzerland Garden Club meeting is this Thursday, at 10AM, Bartram Trail library (in the back conference room). Members of the public are invited to attend, and are asked to let us know so we may have adequate accommodations. You may even be interested in joining our club. The email address is switzerlandgc@gmail.com.
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