On Saturday, we decided to go exploring Cedar Key And Rosewood Florida. Both cities I have never heard of in Levy County, Florida. I was so excited to start this post I had such high hopes for exploring Cedar Key.
The pictures online had me very intrigued to go there. I was so excited to go I started writing this on Friday. Making it seem all exciting, which at the time it was… However, I was a little disappointed. I don’t know if not only we went on an off day. Or we weren’t in the best place in Cedar Key to see everything.
Exploring Cedar Key
It wasn’t ALL bad. I mean it wasn’t bad at all, it just wasn’t what we expected. From all the photos I saw online I thought it would be a fun place to go. However, when we got there the sky was gray, making everything around us look gray.
Although it was gray, it was a cute little city to walk through. As a matter of fact, we definitely found a new place to go fishing for free Too bad this was the one day we didn’t have fishing poles in the trunk of the car… (lesson learned)
We ended up just walking around for a good 2 hours enjoying the water and the historic-looking buildings around town. I don’t want to discourage anyone from checking out Cedar Key. We definitely still had a good time. We just didn’t stay for as long as we wanted.
All was not lost though, in the midst of exploring Cedar Key, we stumbled upon Rosewood. Which we found interesting because Mike, Mikayla, and I love history. We love finding out about things that had happened previously in our state or any state. Then talk about the situation.
Discuss ways to make things better or what we could do differently to prevent history from repeating itself. I state this as a preface on what is coming up next. Because I do think it’s important to talk about and raise awareness.
Cedar Key And Rosewood Florida
(Warning this takes a turn and gets deep real fast…)
The Remains of Rosewood
On our way down to Cedar Key, we saw a sign that we drove through the city of Rosewood. If you are not from Florida or maybe you are, but didn’t know about this place. I’m from here but surely didn’t know about it either. Mike had to school me and he is from Massachusetts… (Doesn’t seem right, I know lol)
However, a little back story is in 1923 there was a huge massacre in Rosewood. (which was a city predominantly occupied by blacks). From what I have read or have been told. It was because a white woman from Sumner (the next town over) claimed a black man from Rosewood raped her.
It basically caused a riot with the white men in surrounding cities. They ended up burning down everything, causing all of Rosewood’s residents to evacuate the city and hide in the woods. Although we do not know how true that story is.
This could have been prevented from ever happening. From what I read… it turns out the white woman lied about being raped by a black man.
She was actually beat by her white lover she was seeing, while her husband was at work. She made up this story to cover up the fact she was cheating on her husband. Reading this made me very angry, how about you?
Although, only one house survived because it was owned by a white man. It was the house of John Wright. He owned the general store in Sumner but lived in Rosewood. He helped out his neighbors by sneaking them into his house from the woods.
We did find the house and the memorial plaque that was put up in 2004 by JEB Bush. Hearing about an event like this happening hurts my heart.
What remains of Rosewood
Not that I was born at that time or participated in the events. But in reality, knowing that it was that bad then. Although not as widely popular now, be that as it may still happening. It hurts my heart because even though I had nothing to do with it. There is a lot of second-hand guilt. Partially because of the color of my skin.
Something I always wonder is why people have such a hard time accepting someone who has different. Be it their skin color, heritage, or religion. I have never been one to judge. How different could I have turned out if I was born then? When segregation was enforced or when the holocaust happened. Would I still be the same person I am now?
Growing up we never had a conversation about racism or prejudice. I grew up with the belief if you were nice to me then I would be nice to you. If you wanted to act like a fool then that’s how you would be treated back. It was never about color, heritage, or religion. It was about the person and their personality.
Reading other articles about Rosewood
Not that I want to make this about me or take away anything from what happened in Rosewood. However, I would like to think I would be right there alongside John Wright with helping my fellow neighbors.
If you want to read more about Rosewood. Here are a couple of links to articles that go more in-depth about what happened. Check out Timeline.com and Sun-Sentinal.com.Not only is there numerous articles. There is also a movie that Mike and I are going to check out tonight named after the city, Rosewood.
I don’t want to get into a big racial conversation or offend anyone. All I know what happened in Rosewood was horrific. We apologize for past mistakes and wish things could be different.
I apologize, Rosewood
All I will say about this is that it is horrible. I am truly sorry that this happened. We wish we didn’t live in a world where things like this occurred. On the other hand, we can’t change history. What we can do is extend an invitation to all those that see us or talk to us. Know you will not be treated differently. In our eyes everyone is equal and you deserve so much better than what has happened in the past.
Let me know in the comments what you think about exploring Cedar Key and Rosewood? Visit us on our Facebook Page to continue the conversation. I’ll see ya over there! Also, let me know if you celebrated the holiday on Monday, April 8th?
Until next time, Have a good day!
It’s a shame what happened. The world can be a cruel place. However, it looks like a lovely place to perhaps go kayaking.
Yeah, Cedar Key was amazing. We haven’t made it back to go fishing yet, but hopefully soon.
What a nice story. And it’s quite amazing how your sidetrip ended up to be the one that’s more memorable.
I like what you said here, “I grew up with the belief if you were nice to me then I would be nice to you.” Yes, you are absolutely right. It shouldn’t be about color, race, or even wealth, or intellect. People forget we’re all human beings, and therefore the same. If you’re nice to me, I’m nice to you. In fact, sometimes I’m even nice to people who aren’t nice to me.
Yeah, for the most part, I am that way too. It really depends on what they are not being nice about.
Looks like an amazing place to visit.
It really was.
This sounds like such a serene and lovely place. When thinking of Florida, for me, it’s endless beaches. But yes, the hinterland is fantastic, too!
We are always trying to look for places that are not what people would consider “Florida”. As you said when thinking of Florida it is either beaches, theme parks or major cities.
how far is this place from tampa,florida my parents and sisters are living in tampa right maybe soon i will be able to join them…just curious how far to drive to rosewood
I am in Tampa and it takes about 2.5 hours to get there.
A greater reason to visit Florida even more after the pandemic was officially considered over here. What a wonderful place and moreover something different from the usual destinations of this state!
That is what we are all about. Finding things that are not the norm of what people think of when they think of Florida.
It’s nice to know that you still enjoy your time there even though it wasn’t what you expected as compared to the photos. And I agree, I hope now people will learn to accept others and do not discriminate.
I agree with your last statement so much!
My sister goes to school in Florida. I have to tell my mom about this so my mom can pick my sister from school and go to Cedar Key. She would love the clams!
That is awesome! Hope she enjoys it if they do go.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Cedar Key and Rosewood Florida. Having such a history could also be a trauma especially when it’s about rape or racism. But for us who are living in the present, knowing the ancestry of a thing is also a sign of respect for the place and its history.
I want to know the history of a place I am visiting because of respect and I also want to know the history because it may be a valuable lesson that needs to be learned.
I did not know about this place. I am back on discovering Florida and probably, I will take a trip there. Thanks for sharing.
Let me know how you like it.
the remains of Rosewood did indeed made me realise how we as mankind on occasions inflict so much damage on fellow humans. History does sometimes sober one down, well portrayed the same in the article. thanks for sharing
It just sucks because it was based on a lie. They were so quick to jump the gun.
That looks like fascinating place to visit. I have been to Florida quite a few times but never to this area.
Let me know if you go!