DeSoto County Historical Society

06/25/2026

Well, Wednesday slipped by. So this week Thursday features a historic photograph, and we are asking for your help in identifying some aspect of the photograph—who, what, when, or where. Please share what you know!

“I Wonder Who . . . this man and woman are and where are they standing? They are dressed well as if for an occasion, and the woman seems to be wearing an apron. Behind them are chairs, and to the right of the woman is what appears to be a potted plant. Note the half logs between what looks like steps.

06/25/2026

06/17/2026

“I Wonder . . .” Wednesday features a historic photograph, and we are asking for your help in identifying some aspect of the photograph—who, what, when, or where. Please share what you know!

“I Wonder Who . . . these children and woman are and where are they? They could be a group from a school or from a Sunday school class. Some are barefooted, and two of the girls sitting in the front seem to be wearing shoes. The group is posed in front of a hog wire fence with a gate on the left.

06/17/2026

The Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo actually began with a July 4th Celebration organized by the Arcadia American Legion K-Post 11 on July 4, 1929. The exhibition and demonstration of the everyday skills and techniques used by our local cattlemen was such a success that K-Post 11 started the first official Arcadia Rodeo on November 11 and 12, 1929. And the rest of the story--as they say--is history. The Fourth of July Arcadia Rodeo was a tradition until about 2012 when it was discontinued. Be part of a display this Fourth of July downtown at the Arcadia Main Street office. Bring your memorabilia and stories to share with the community...see the flyer.

06/10/2026

“I Wonder . . .” Wednesday features a historic photograph, and we are asking for your help in identifying some aspect of the photograph—who, what, when, or where. Please share what you know!

“I Wonder Who . . . this man, woman, and children are and where they are? Someone wrote on the bottom of the photo: “Pa, Ma, and two grandsons” The older of the two boys is wearing a coat and tie, so is this a formal occasion? Pa is smoking a cigar. The group is standing in front of car parked near some pines and palmettos.

06/07/2026

Wanted: Repair of Neon Sign

The family of Delia Twiss donated to the Society two signs from her shoe repair shop that was opened in Arcadia by her husband Alvie Twiss around 1938. The name sign hung beneath the awning is “The American Shoe Shop.” The neon sign hung in the window is “Red Wing Shoes." (In 1905, Charles Beckman founded the Red Wing Shoe Company in Red Wing, Minnesota. https://www.redwingshoes.com/stories/about-us/our-history.html)

The neon sign has one broken connection. Please contact the Society if you are able to help with the repair.

06/03/2026

“I Wonder . . .” Wednesday features a historic photograph, and we are asking for your help in identifying some aspect of the photograph—who, what, when, or where. Please share what you know!

Update: A big THANK YOU to everyone who helped identify these lovely girls. Norma Jean Womack identified each of the girls along with the year 1957. We checked the yearbook and found the picture in the back for the Miss Gertrude's Dress Shop.

“I Wonder Who . . . these women are and why are they wearing shirts or sweaters with the letter “A” on them? The woman on the far right is wearing saddle shoes, and suitcases surround the group. The photo was published under the title “Who’s who?” in the March 20, 1984, issue of the Arcadian.

05/31/2026

The John Morgan Ingraham House Museum will be closed until Sept. 3 except by appointment. The Howard and Velma Melton Historical Research Library is also closed, but research assistance is available. Please call 863-266-5774 or email [email protected].