Q. What was this fisherman’s name?

(Royal Palm Hotel dock, ca. 1915. Credit: Richard B. Hoit, Historical Museum of Southern Florida.)

This man was born at the Cape Florida Lighthouse and raised around Biscayne Bay. He later became an avid fisherman, fishing guide and charter boat captain. This captain liked to tell outrageous fish stories and take the wealthy on adventures. In 1912 he caught a whale shark in the Florida Keys, had it preserved, and took it on tour around the country for many years.

A.  Captain Charlie Thompson

Q. Which native South Florida plant does the Atala butterfly rely on?

(Butterfly, ca. 2010. Credit: Frank Schena.)

The poisonous Atala butterfly had nearly disappeared from Florida. It was originally found in the US only between Ft. Lauderdale and Homestead, but was very common in its limited range. With a growing interest in butterfly gardening and the recent popularity of its only caterpillar host plant, the ______ plant, in landscaping, it has made a spectacular comeback. 

A.   The Coontie plant

Q. Who was Florida’s Poet Laureate from 1931 until her death in 1975?

(_______. Credit:Historical Museum of Southern Florida.)

When Florida’s first Poet Laureate, Franklin N. Wood, died in 1931 the governor appointed the next one. She would be the first female Poet Laureate of the state. The woman who was appointed was a dedicated teacher and writer. She later moved to Miami and resided on East Dixie Highway. This special woman brought her love of poetry to Miami and founded the Laramore Rader Poetry Group, 1930, which met every Wednesday until the 1970’s. 

A.  Vivian Laramore Rader

Q. A member of which gang killed the first City of Miami police officer killed in the line of duty in 1915?

(Miami Police Department, ca. 1920 Credit: Richard Gardener, Historical Museum of Southern Florida. )

The physical terrain of South Florida has long provided refuge and opportunities for anyone evading the law. Criminals who made use of these features included the _______Gang, who terrorized the southeast coast for over 15 years, robbing banks, bootlegging and moon shining, and running liquor between the Bahamas and Florida.  *Come learn more about this gang and more at Historical Museum of S. Florida’s Crime in Miami exhibit up now!

A. The Ashley Gang