This month we are visiting Florida! Florida has had a large tourist industry and has been a popular place for resorts because of its year-long warmth and coastal views of the ocean since the early 20th century. In both summer and winter Florida, became an escape for the sickness and bustle of the city for those afflicted with chronic conditions like rheumatism and nervousness or those with tuberculosis.
Dr. E.M. Hale of Chicago promised Florida as a “Favored region for neurasthenics…broken down in mind and body from the intense strain of business and social demands of the Northern States.” A favored spot was the southwest gulf coast, which tended to get more breezes, making for a more comfortable climate. The pleasant climate leads to a greater number of fruits and vegetables at lower costs than you may see in colder states.