Archival Collections

The Allen Morris Papers consist of personal and professional records and research materials accumulated by Mr. Morris over a period of about forty-one years. The papers consist of correspondence; biographical sketches of Florida officials and other famous Floridians; photographs, programs, and other materials related to the Allen Morris Legislative Awards; historical data concerning place names, historical houses, rivers and river boats. Also included is a complete file of "Cracker Politics," the column that Allen Morris was responsible for writing for so many years, as well as notes and materials compiled and used in the creation of the Florida Handbook. A large portion of the collection is made up of papers, letters, and notes relating to important figures such as governors, state legislators and other Florida politicians. Also included are books and manuscripts written by Allen Morris and books and pamphlets written by others. Includes MSS 75-11.

The collection includes correspondence, publications, service records, diaries, memorabilia, articles, research notes, speeches, genealogical information, photographs, and scrapbooks created or collected by Carlton J. Corliss. The majority of the papers are related to railroads, various railway companies that Corliss worked for, and publications about railroads. Topics include the Florida East Coast Railway, the Illinois Central Railroad Company, the Association of American Railroads, Abraham Lincoln, Florida, public relations, and his book, MAIN LINE OF MID-AMERICA. The collection also includes some writings of Robert S. Chilton from his service in the State Department.

The collection consists of materials depicting the role of Mary Brickell as one of the "founding mothers" of the city of Miami, Florida. Documents detail her work as a landowner and real estate developer. The materials balance the personal and professional lives of Mary Brickell and her descendants. The collection demonstrates the growth and shaping of Miami, from the founding documents establishing the city of Miami to modern day developments in the Brickell area. The collection also documents the work of local Miami historian Carmen Petsoules and her efforts to revive public awareness of Mary Brickell and have her officially recognized as one of the founders of the city of Miami. The collection includes appraisal reports, architectural plans, bills, estate records, leases, maps, newspaper clippings, personal papers, photographs, property records, research materials, scrapbooks, silverware, tax records, warranty deeds, and wills.

The two manuscript letters, dated 1893, are by George F. Miles, St. Augustine, Florida to Landford Fleming, Esq., C.M.G., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and refer to matters pertaining to Flagler enterprises. Mr. Miles at that time was general manager and director of the Florida Coast Line Canal and Transportation Company with headquarters at St. Augustine, and Mr. Fleming was a stockholder in the "Boston and Florida Land Company." In his letter of March 21, 1893, Mr. Miles expressed concern about the health of Mr. Fleming, and suggested that the delightful climate in Florida could be beneficial to him. About business matters, he wrote: "The country along our waterway is making rapid progress just now. The Canal works are going on, and a railway is being pushed as vigorously as possible through our land grant. In addition to this, Mr. Flagler is just about commencing the construction of a hotel to hold 500 people at Lake Worth and which will be open next winter. And the pine-apple industry on the West Shore of the Indian River is making quite a boom in the price of land. Mr. Flagler bought two places on Lake Worth last week, amounting in all to about 50 acres, for which he paid $103.00. I was with him when he closed the transaction and therefore know the particulars. This place is on the levi of our waterway about 260 miles South of St. Augustine... we effected the reorganization of our company on the 14th inst.; Mr. Flagler was elected president and I was appointed general manager and placed on the board of directors..." On May 1, 1893, Mr. Miles informed Mr. Fleming that he had spent "The last couple of weeks at the Capital of the State arranging for some additional Legislation in connection with our Canal Company... I succeeded in getting our bill through the Senate by a unanimous vote, but it will take a few days before it will be seriously considered in the lower house." He then stated that he had returned to St. Augustine to see about, "starting up our first new dredge which is just about completed, and have to send down the coast for about 150 men... We intend to operate our dredges night and day and hope to have Biscayne Bay connected with the Southern terminals of the new railway - now under construction - by the early part of next season." In closing his letter, he expressed the hope that Mr. Fleming had quite recovered from his illness and urged him to "pay us a visit here." Again, he praised the Florida climate.

This collection consists of materials related to the Florida East Coast Railway and other Flagler enterprises. The papers indicate that they maintained offices in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, Florida. There are job descriptions, blueprints, plans, maps, and permission documents from various government officials to proceed with construction.There is also historical information, such as the corporate history of the Atlantic and East Coast Terminal Company.

Consists of publications, advertisements, photographs, administration and research on the east coast railroads of the United States collected by history scholar Gregg M. Turner. Consists of four series, including but not limited to documents and photographs of railroad history (1830-1890), the Plant System Co. Inc.(1860-1902), the three primary railroads on the eastern seaboard of the United States (1830-present), and independent railroads. A portion of the collection has been digitized by Florida Gulf Coast University's Library Archives, Special Collections, and Digital Initiatives and is available on D[url=https://fgcu.digital.flvc.org/islandora/search/?type=edismax&collection=fgcu:0216]igitalFGCU[/url].