1965: Setting the Stage
Why 1965?
The On the Beach of the Lake blog starts in 1965 simply because I picked up those 2 journals first. After my granny, Myrtle Seaver, died in 2020, most of her journals and correspondence made their way to me. I found so much comfort in reading the daily accounting of her life and the stories were absolutely fascinating. I had heard many tales of those days, but reading it word-for-word, in real life so to speak, was captivating.
In 2021 I decided to share this history more broadly and the timing was right to officially launch The Alligator Inn in 2023.
On each day of 2023 I’ll release the journal entry she did on the corresponding day in 1965. We’ll know what was happening in rural Florida exactly 58 years ago.
After 1965/2023 we’ll move to another year. Myrtle’s journals start in the late 1940s and run all the way into the early 2000s so there are plenty of stories still to come!
Setting the Stage
In January of 1965, Myrtle and Ray Seaver are both 31 years old. Peggy is 10 and Tricia is 7. The family lives in St. Cloud, Florida—specifically, Kissimmee Park—in Osceola County.
The Seavers live in a home owned by the Sayres who live up north most of the year. When the Sayres come to Florida, the Seavers have to move out and go stay with relatives. When the Sayres leave to go back north, the Seavers can move back in.
Format
On each date you’ll find Myrtle’s journal entry. When there’s interesting, related information and images to share, you’ll those below the journal entry.
