PAGE 12 - March 18, 2009
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Living on an Island In Homosassa
By Newscaster Photojournalist
family.
Mike Moore
Homer's diary doesn't talk much about
the hardships of secluded island living. Not
Can you imagine living on an island in the
much is said about living with alligators, hur-
Homosassa River? Sound nice, secluded, ro-
ricanes, or life without air conditioning. We
mantic? How about living on an island in the
are left only to imagine the feelings of a young
middle of the Homosassa River before there
bride and mother living under what could
was a Wal-Mart or McDonalds or a paved Rt.
only be imagined as arduous conditions. One
19? Maybe even better? How about before
story that gives us a glimpse into the life of
there were cars, Teddy Roosevelt was presi-
the times comes right off the pages of Homer's
dent and leading the progressives to reform
diary; the story narrates a fishing trip into the
middle class America? On September 28, 1904
Gulf of Mexico in a dugout canoe. The story
a woman was arrested on 5th Avenue in New
goes that Homer happened on to a fish so
York for smoking a cigarette. At virtually the
large that he used his rifle to shoot the fish
same time, in 1903 an adventurous fella by
and like the famous Hemmingway story, had
the name of Homer EuDaly moved south from
to secure the fish to the canoe rather than
Arkansas and took up life in a 'shack' on an
landing it lest it topple the unstable vessel on
island (later called 'Homer Island") smack in
the trip home.
the middle of a Florida wilderness (few of us
Many times actions speak louder than
can fathom) to make a living fishing and trap-
words and so it is with Homer and Carrie.
ping.
Sometime between 1918-19, Carrie insisted the
The descendants of Homer and Carrie
family moved from the area due to the two
Hart EuDaly told the stories of their adven-
EuDaly children repeatedly contracting ma-
turous family during the Homosassa Wildlife
laria. The move from Homosassa to Panama
Park's annual Heritage Days Expo held at the
City was only the first leg of an multi-decade
park March 7th; Philip McClure and his cousin
trek that ended with the EuDaly returning to
Homosassa Heritage Days-The great grandchildren of Homer and Carrie EuDaly. Phillip
Bill Eudaly recounted how Homer moved onto
Indiana, where the descendants of the early
McClure (sitting) and cousin Bill EuDaly (standing) are seen here manning their booth that
the island and scratched out a little home-
Homosassa pioneers still remain to this day.
tells about their early Homosassa family roots during the expo held at the Homosassa Wildlife
stead. Homer made his living fishing the wa-
To learn more about Florida Wildlife and
Park. Photo by Mike Moore
ters of the area. According to Homer's diary
early Florida pioneers, the Homossasa Wild-
that is still in Bill EuDaly's possession, it was
life Park at the headsprings of the the Homo-
Realty
a good life that he wanted to share, so on
sassa River has a variety of exhibits and arti-
June 8th, 1910, the 47 year old Homer married
facts that gives visitors a first hand look at
21 year old Carrie Hart. The young bride joined
how the area was in the early part of the 20th
Sally Price, Realtor
Homer on the island and the two started a
century.
19 Hwy 40 W.
(352) 302-8556 cell
Inglis
4 OUTSTANDING LOTS - NATURE LOVERS WANTED - $67,000
These 4 beautifully wooded lots are a new listing
in a gorgeous hi/dry area of historic Yankeetown.
The 4 lots sit back to back between 54th and 55th
Dine-In
St. 2 lots front each paved street close to the
deadend of 55th. Oaks, magnolia and pine serve as
home to a variety of wildlife. A TRULY REMARK-
ABLE HOMESITE. We have some nice priced lots
on canals, mobiles of varied prices and plenty of
historic knowledge to help you find what you want.
Rentals needed and also available.
I desperately need mobile home listings under $60,000 if you are in the
Carrie Hart EuDaly tending her boat on the shore of "Homer Island" in the Homosassa River circa 1910.
Early settlers in the area scratched out a living fishing and hunting the bountiful waters; but not without
market to sell. My listings in this price range are "SOLD".
hardship... the EuDaly family moved off the island in 1917 due to the small children "dealing with
recurring bouts of malaria".
Buddy & Fred’s Hardware Foster Perry, Realtor 7
ERA Suncoast Realty
BuddyandFreds.com
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1206 S.E. U.S. Hwy. 19
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Est. 1983
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(352)
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