Page 28 - AARF 2019-2020

Souvenirs of this era often interstate highway interchanges.
featured Florida-made souvenirs. Some roadside gift shops evolved
Alligator products, cypress knee into attractions themselves. The
furniture, shellcraft, jams and Shell Factory in Fort Myers and
jellies made from Florida Tiki Gardens at Indian Rocks
citrus, and orange blossom Beach originated primarily as
perfume were staples of gift shops and expanded and
Florida’s souvenir evolved into major roadside
industry. Most of attractions.
these souvenirs By the late 1950s, mass-
were manufactured produced souvenirs
by small “mom and such as pennants,
pop” companies in decals, glassware,
Florida. ashtrays, and other
Among the earliest, Florida novelties
roadside gift shops were became the most
associated with popular items.
Seminole Indian Handcrafted,
villages that Florida-produced
sprouted up souvenirs were
along the new the exception
Tamiami Trail as imported
not long after it kitsch replaced
was completed traditional
in 1928. Florida Florida souvenirs
roadside on the shelves.
attractions Florida’s home-
and gift shops grown vacation
flourished memorabilia
following industry rapidly
World War II vanished. Just
and throughout as tourists tastes
the 1950s. Post in attractions
war prosperity changed, so did
brought even more their souvenir
vacationers to buying habits.
Florida. Very few of the
Chain roadside roadside souvenir
gift shops stands remained
began to appear after the 1970s,
throughout and if they did,
Florida during they were stocked
the 1950s and primarily with
1960s. Stuckey’s generic items
and Hornes were such as T-shirts,
common sites magnets, beach
along major towels.
Florida highways, There are
and later at numerous types

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