We have lived now in Florida for two years. In the time we have lived here, I have not visited the home site of Laura Ingalls Wilder in near Westville, FL. I decided after I dropped Summer off at Drama Camp that I would take time to explore it finally!
You will find it nearly hidden along a little road in the country.
I have driven I10 along the panhandle of Florida so many times. This time, I detoured north to Westville.
On October 1, 1890, three of Laura Ingalls Wilder's relatives, Peter Franklin Ingalls (cousin), Joseph Quiner Carpenter *cousin), and Perley Day Wilder (BIL) began a trip from Stockholm, WI down the Mississippi River on a sailboat named "Edith". This journey was taken in high hopes of finding new places to settle. They recorded this trip in a diary the logbook of the sailing craft "Edith". They came to their stopping point here, known then as Webb Mill.
This was where Almanzo James and Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder and their daughter, Rose Wilder lived from October 1891 - August 1892 for little less than a full year. They lived here with Peter Franklin Ingalls and his wife, Mary (Molly) Edith McGowan Ingalls. Eventually, they had 6 children. Edith, Alexander, Florence, Freddie and Mary.
Peter Franklin Ingalls and his family had encouraged her and her family to move here. In October 1891, Almanzo, Laura and Rose left Almanzo's parents' home in Spring Valley, Minnesota, traveling here by train. There were high hopes that the Florida weather would help Almanzo's health. While living here, they attended the Mount Ida Congregational Methodist Church, which still stands nearby.
In New Hope Community, Laura was unable to tolerate the humid environment of the Florida weather, so they decided to move back to DeSmet, South Dakota, in August 1892. Later in July 1894, Almanzo, Laura and Rose moved to Mansfield, Missouri.
Laura's daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, later wrote a short fictionalized story about the time the family spent here in Florida, entitled "Innocence". It was originally published in the April 1922 issue of Harper's Monthly Magazine. In 1922, this story won the second O. Henry Prize for that year. Since, it has also been reprinted in several other publications.
There is only the historical marker here. It has not been taken care of sadly and is overgrown.
An old well?
They used to have small gatherings in Laura's honor but no more. How sad.
So this spot is left to your imagination of what it looked like in the late 1800's when Laura lived here. Which is ok sometimes, right?
It is still a very rural area and for that, I am very glad. I can see Laura living here in this little community.
The trees and spot are really truly pretty.
After visiting the home site, I drove to the Mt. Ida Congregational Methodist Church where the Wilder family attended.
The church building. Pretty and well kept.
The church has a small cemetery.
Peter Ingall's grave. Laura's cousin.
Mary Ingall's grave. Her cousin's wife.
Alexsander Ingalls - one of Peter's sons.
I made some short videos of my visit there.
I hope you enjoy this site as I did!
Comments
Post a Comment