Beginnings of Florida Tourism and Homeownership Shown in Rare Pre-WWII Advertising Pamphlets
History through Florida Ephemera

08/04/21

By: I. S.

Over the years, the sun and beaches have made Miami and other parts of the state of Florida international destinations. As we’re all basking in the height of summer, let’s take a look at how it all started through some items from our “Florida Promotional & Tourism Ephemera” collection that date back to the early part of the last century.

The collection features many beautifully illustrated brochures and pamphlets advertising Florida to the rest of United States. The marketing materials focused on drawing visitors and potential homebuyers. They also touched on important industries that might be of interest like agriculture.

To view these and other items in-person, please contact Special Collections at specialcollections@mdpls.org.

Florida Hill Country, Leon County
E. Warren Clark
1898
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This style of advertising continued into boom times and beyond. The brochures and pamphlets often contained enticing photographs of the events, buildings and beaches that could be seen as well as maps that connected different places.

St. Petersburg, Florida, the Sunshine City
c. 1924
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Tallahassee, Florida - Home of the Florida State College for Women
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Some focused on individual cities.

Miami by the Sea
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St. Augustine, Florida
1926
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Orlando, Florida, City Beautiful
1937-12-28
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Others focused on whole counties.

Columbia County, Florida
Lake City, Florida, Chamber of Commerce
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Manatee County, Florida. A land of better living on Florida's Gulf Coast
Bradenton Chamber of Commerce
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But they all showed the delights of tourism and homeownership in the Sunshine State.

Miami, Florida, "The Magic City"
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