3/2/2026 The Suwannee River...

I was heading into north Florida and noticed a sign. It intrigued me so with investigation I found some interesting trivia...

According to legend one event that would affect Florida’s future took place at a piano in 1851. Working out lyrics to a tune, composer Stephen Foster was stuck at the first line and asked his brother, Morrison, for help.

“Should it be ‘Way down upon the Yazoo River?” Morrison offered. No, said Stephen. “Well, how about ‘Way down upon the Pee Dee River?” Morrison proposed. “Oh, pshaw! We won’t have that!” Stephen told his brother.

Searching through an atlas, Morrison Foster looked at several southern states. He turned to his brother and asked Suwannee? His brother responded That's It!

Although composer Steven Foster wrote the song that helped launch Florida's tourism industry, he never saw the state -- or the river he made famous. He passed away in 1864 at the age of 37.

That's the story as I heard it!

Nana