The Alligator Wrestler statue in Heritage Square Park is a beloved spot for visitors to take a…read morephoto. It's whimsical subject matter and depiction of history makes it is one of my favorite public artworks in downtown Orlando. You can find it at the entrance to the Orange County Regional History Center. In 1857, Orlando's city limits were platted in Heritage Square Park. Alligator Wrestler pays homage to Orlando's lawless, cow town past rooted in cattle ranching, agriculture, and citrus. Originally known for cattle, Orlando evolved from a small trading post in the 1830's into a bustling cattle and citrus center by the 1890's. In the early 2000's, Alligator Wrestler was sculpted by artist Scott Shaffer, a Colorado-based sculptor known for detailed, realistic wildlife and nature-themed bronze work. This sculpture was inspired by a famous 1884 photograph depicting legendary local figure Bunk Baxter wrestling an alligator. According to legend, Bunk would come to Orlando on Saturdays in the mid 1880's and wrestle an alligator in the middle of a dirt road, which would become Orange Avenue. A picture of Bunk and his alligator companion became an iconic image of Orlando's colorful, wild past. Now Bunk and the alligator are a part of many people's treasured memories of visiting modern day Orlando.

I have driven by this statue literally fir decades and this is the first time that I saw it up…read moreclose and personal. This statue reminds us all that there was a Florida before the theme parks and it was a wild and often dangerous place. It is not a huge statue by any means, pretty much life-sized, but it does make a statement and show us what Florida was like before we built it up. Our history is important to us and we must remember it.

This small plaque is to honor Colonel Corbin Marquand Sarchet, III, who is the founder of "Fiesta…read morein the Park" in Lake Eola. Fiesta in the Park has been recognized as one of the top 100 arts and crafts shows here in the United States of America and it is by the selfless work of this man and others that make it a reality. This plaque is a bit hard to find, though it is located by the Walt Disney Amphitheater in Lake Eola. I'm in Lake Eola pretty much weekly and it is surprising that I have never noticed this before. However, I saw today and I learned something new today about an extraordinary man who has given of himself so selflessly of for his community. If you were in Lake Eola Park seek this little plaque out. Lake Eola Park is definitely my favorite Park in Orlando and it is because of these little things that make this park so epic. Come check out the park as a whole and definitely seek out this little plaque.

Nice statue that was created in 1987 by artist Donald DeLue…read more Art adds character and personality to a city and this is a nice representation and addition to Orlando, Florida.

I am very familiar with the blue markers of the state wide Florida Historical Marker Program…read more Occasionally I will come across a county or city historic marker. I discovered this Orange County marker about the Barber/Mizell Feud while walking through Barber Park. Historical markers are a great way to learn about the formative people, buildings, and events in Florida's history. I was somewhat familiar with the Barber/Mizell feud from having visited Harry P. Leu Gardens. The Mizell family were the first people to own the land of what is now the popular tourist attraction botanical gardens. David Mizell Jr. arrived in 1858 with his wife Angeline from Alachua County during the years of Reconstruction after the Civil War. It was a time when there were only a few pioneers in the area. They purchased 8 acres where they built a cabin, raised cattle, and farmed. Mizell called his property Lake View and a small community of the same name grew up around it. When Lake View got a post office, the name was changed to Osceola after a Seminole warrior who had died 30 years earlier. In the late 1860's Mizell was elected to the Orange County Commission and the State Legislation. His son John was a judge in the Orange County Court while oldest son David was appointed sheriff of Orange County. David was killed in the line of duty in 1870 while trying to settle a dispute over taxes and cows. David Mizell's death was part of a feud with the Barber cattle ranching family. Moses Barber moved to Florida from Georgia in 1833. They went on to develop one of the largest cattle empires in the state but during the Civil War their cattle was seized and they lost their wealth. The Barbers relocated to Central Florida to rebuild but it put them into competition for grazing land with the Mizell's who had the benefit of having a sheriff in the family. Both families accused each other of cattle rustling. Moses Barber refused to pay taxes enacted by the government which forced David Mizell to seize cattle in lieu of payment. During this attempt he was killed. His son John and a newly elected sheriff went after the Barber family. They located and killed the ranch hand they believed shot David Mizell. The Barbers left for northern family where Moses Barber was captured but never tried. Eventually anywhere from 8 to 13 people would be killed before the feud was finally ended in the 1940's when members from the two families were married. David is buried in the small Mizell Family Cemetery in Harry P. Leu Gardens. Barber Park was created on the cattle grazing land once owned by the Barber family.

This historical sign is located in Barber Park and marks the Barber/Mizell Fued that occurred here…read moreback in the 1800's. At least eight people were killed in this three month fued. It was in essence a battle between two cattle barons. It is amazing to imagine the Florida that was back in the 1800's versus what it is today. That's why these markers are so important. They give us a glimpse of the past.

I was driving around this corner of Orlando looking for a restroom when I spotted this cool…read morepostcard mural, Greeting from Orlando. PS there is a 7-Eleven if you make a left at the light. Thanks Dave W. for adding this public art to Yelp. This mural was created in 2016 by artists Victor Ving and photographer Lisa Beggs as part of their Greetings Tour. It is on the side of Uncle Tony's Donut Shop which is a record store. Greetings from Orlando joined murals in Raymour MO, Sandusky OH, Bend OR, Union County GA, Cooperstown NY and many more. They have worked with over 65 communities across 28 states to paint their modern day postcard inspired murals. Locals were asked for suggestions on what landmarks, nature, history and culture images should be included in the mural. Images of the the Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain in Lake Eola, Epcot and the Disney monorail, Milk District, the citrus industry, a tribute to Wet N' Wild and Bar BQ Bar, and Orlando City Soccer Club and Orlando Magic were chosen. If you look very closely the artists painted themselves in the swan boat in the Lake Eola scene in the letter O. I love a postcard mural. You can use it as a backdrop for your photos and everyone will instantly know where you are. This one really captured the soul of Orlando.

Years past, we might visit Orlando, buy a postcard, write a nice note and mail it to loved ones!…read moreNow, you can just take a selfie or picture here and send it electronically! This spot is hidden in a back alley and, at least while I was there, a car was parked in the way. Still, it's 100% free and fun! Life is good with a postcard!

Tucked away in Lorna Doone Park and in the shadow of Camping World Stadium here in Orlando, Florida…read moreis a statue that signifies an important moment in the history of Civil Rights here in the South. The statue is of two twelve year old boys, one wearing the uniform of the Pensacola, Florida Jaycees and the other wearing the uniform of the Orlando, Florida Kiwanis. These two teams, the coaches, players and their families made history on August 9, 1955 when they stepped together onto the playing field, black and white, and stepped beyond the segregated patterns of the time not only in Forida, but throughout the South and broke a long-held barrier. The majority of those people, if not all of those people at that historic game are gone now, but that is remembered and reverberated as part of a movement that changed the world forever.

I came across this little bit of history on a recent trip to Mead Botanical Garden. It seems that…read morenaturalist William Bartram, known as "Puc Puggy" to the Native Americans in the area, brought renown to Florida when he discovered native species of plants here sometime around 1774. The sign was erected by the Winter Park Garden Club in cooperation with the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs. I love finding these signs that give I said glimpse of the past. It is interesting to me to find these footsteps from yesteryear that let us to where we stand today. All in all, if you find yourself here and Mead Botanical Garden, take a moment to remember this man and think about what he accomplished. Florida was certainly a wildlands and very uncharted. His quest made the world a better place.

Take Flight is one of 9 sculptures that are part of See Art Orlando, a permanent contemporary…read morecollection of art that was unveiled by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the See Art Orlando Board of Directors on November 18, 2013. The art project was launched by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and art lover Jennifer Quigley. They hoped that adding public art to downtown Orlando would bring pride, boost the economy, and strengthen the city's cultural core. The art is mainly displayed around Lake Eola. Take Flight is on the north side of the water's edge of Lake Eola, It is by Kentucky based artist Douwe Blumberg and was sponsored by the Darden restaurant group. Before becoming a full time sculptor, Blumberg worked as a horse trainer for 18 years. Since deciding to pursue art full time he has created 200 private and public commissions and won numerous awards, Referencing his art, Bloomberg has said "When I do a piece, my goal is to capture something special in it. I'm not interested in pretty, I want a spark of life, movement, drama, that something that will make you look twice...that power." The sculpture Take Flight depicts a 40 foot long flock of birds as they take off in flight into the sky. The sculpture is made from cast alloy and welded together to create the sculpture. It is meant to capture the spirit of freedom and transcendent joy. I love nature so I am really drawn to this piece. As an avid bird watcher and photographer I am always trying to catch them in flight or landing. I like how this piece is inspired by the real nature that exists around the lake. At night it is lit up for another stunning perspective.

"Tale Flight" is a sculpture by Douwe Blumberg and was gifted to the City of Orlando by Darden (the…read morerestaurant group that brings you Olive Garden, Red Lobster and more). It sits on the edge of Lake Eola and it's a nice addition to Lake Eola Park. Lake Eola park has a lot of great art and this particular piece is no exception. Lake Eola Park is by far my favorite park in Orlando. Obviously, the center point is Lake Eola, however, it is pieces of art like this that just adds Lake Eola Park's personality. I would definitely check out this park and this particular piece of art.