Laura Ingalls Wilder
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Coinseekers
N 30° 57.740 W 085° 55.156
16R E 603216 N 3425928
Located on County Road 163 in Westville, Florida.
Waymark Code: WM8B41
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 03/05/2010
Views: 46
On October 1, 1890 Three of Laura Ingalls Wilder's relatives,Peter Franklin (L.) Ingalls (cousin), Joseph Quiner Carpenter (cousin), and Perley Day Wilder (brother-In-law) began a trip from Stockholm,Wisconsin down the Mississippi River, on a sail boat, named "Edith". This Journey was taken in high hopes of finding new places to settle. They recorded this trip in a daily diary, The Log book of the Sailing Craft "Edith". They came to their stopping point, which was here, known then as Webb Mill.
This was where Almanzo James & Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder and their daughter, Rose Wilder lived from October 1891 - August 1892, for little less than a full year. They lived here with Peter Franklin (L) Ingalls and his wife, Mary (Molly) Edith (V) McGowan Ingalls. Eventually, they had 6 children, Edith Elsie, Alexander (Alex), Florence E. Perlie Belle, Freddie Franklin, and Mary Emily (Miss Emma).
Peter Franklin Ingalls and his family had encouraged her and her family to move here. In October 1891, Almanzo, Laura, & Rose left Almanzo's parents' home in Spring Valley, Minnesota, traveling here by train. There were high hopes that the Florida weather would help Almanzo's health. While living here, they attended the Mount Ida Congreagational Methodist Church. Which still stands nearby, In New Hope Community. Laura was unable to tolerate the humid environment of the Florida weather, so they decided to move back to De Smet, South Dakota, in August 1892. Later, in July 1894, Almanzo, Laura, & Rose moved to Mansfield, Missouri.
Laura's daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, later wrote a short fictionalized story about the time the family spent here in Florida, entitled "Innocence". It was originally published in the April 1922 issue of Harper's Monthly Magazine. In 1922, this story won the second O. Henry Prize for that year. Since, it has also been reprinted in several other publications.
Marker Number: None
Date: 2008
County: Holmes
Marker Type: Roadside
Sponsored or placed by: John A. Bass of Ingalls-Wilder-Lane Historic Alliance(Shreveport, Louisiana) and Holmes County Historical Society (Bonifay, Florida)
Website: [Web Link]
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