Sorrento in Lake County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Life in Ethel

Historic Ethel Trail

— Rock Springs Run State Park —

Life in Ethel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Life in Ethel Marker

Inscription. Most cabins had one bed for the parents and two youngest children, while the rest of the family often slept on a rug on the floor. Mattresses and pillows were stuffed with grass and Spanish moss.

The mother would have a 'good' dress for church and funerals, and a second dress for other days. The father would also have a 'Sunday best' shirt and pants, and one other outfit for all other times. Children relied on hand-me-downs and homemade items.

There was almost no access to doctors or dentists in Ethel. If someone had a toothache, the remedy was to pull the tooth out! There was a great reliance on herbal medicines, but diseases were common. The mortality rate was high, especially for newborns and children.

(captions)
A typical homesteaders cabin c. 1890. This photo shows a cabin built in south Florida. Courtesy of Florida Memory.
A typical rural settlement in the 19th century. Source, Florida Memory.
Homesteaders heading to a social event. Illustration. Source, Florida Memory.

Erected by Florida State Parks and the Wekiva Wilderness Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location.

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28° 48.008′ N, 81° 26.698′ W. Marker is in Sorrento, Florida, in Lake County. It can be reached from Wekiva River Road 0.1 miles Chipola Trail, on the left when traveling south. Trailhead is across from the equestrian stables. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 30601 Wekiva River Road, Sorrento FL 32776, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Orlando

and in Central Florida.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Uncovering History (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Frazier Family (about 600 feet away); The Life of Anthony Frazier (about 600 feet away); Living Off the Land Marker (about 800 feet away); The Railway (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ethel School (approx. ¼ mile away); Homesteading (approx. 0.3 miles away); Early Settlement in Florida (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sorrento.

Also see . . .
1. Historic Ethel Trail. (Submitted on January 25, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Ethel. (Submitted on January 25, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Life in Ethel Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 25, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.