Edward W. Bok built the Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary and Singing Tower at Lake Wales, Florida, as a token of his appreciation and gratitude for what America had given him. The tower weighs 5,500 tons, has a square base of 51ft. wide and rises to a height of 205 ft. 2in. It contains a carillion of 71 bells and is built for the most part from southern materials. It is a concrete exemplification of Mr. Bok’s creed.
“Make the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.”
Key West February 24, 1954
St. Petersburg, Fla
Dear Clara:
We are here for month vacation and it is a very beautiful spot. Today have travelled to Key West. We saw turtles 500lb apiece.
Love,
Van Clove?
Mrs. Clara Snyder
7524 Fayette St.
Phila (38
PA
The more postcard messages I transcribe, the more I realize that I’m looking at the 20th century’s version of text messaging. Text messaging that took days to transmit, but text messaging nonetheless. “We are here.” “Today have traveled to Key West.” “We saw 500 pound turtles.” Wait, wha?
The 1925 house, although since converted to condos, is still standing. Ancestry.com lists a Clara Snyder who passed away in Erie, PA in 1959, but no specific results come up in a brief search.
The 1925 house, although since converted to condos, is still standing. Ancestry.com lists a Clara Snyder who passed away in Erie, PA in 1959, but no specific results come up in a brief search.
It is unknown if Van Clove was British and referring to what those turtles may have gone for in London, or if Florida was fending off a monster turtle attack in Lake Wales in 1954. You may see some monster turtles if you attend the International Carillon Festival this weekend at Bok Tower Gardens? (Again, I am not a paid sponsor.)
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