We had called on
Apalachicola almost ten years ago, when we cruised from the Tampa Bay to Mobile Bay. This sleepy coastal town charmed us with its historic antebellum homes, unique shops and restaurants. Not to mention its prized
oysters! We're thankful to have friends in the area and happy the town still retains its old Florida feel.
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Fishing is the religion of Apalachicola, as you can see from its Christmas decor |
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, some antebellum homes were opened for tours. We visited the
Raney House and the
Orman House, and learned that Apalachicola was an important and busy port in the mid-1800s, shipping cotton to textile mills in Europe and New England. Fishing and tourism have since replaced the cotton trade. Sadly, the BP oil spill in 2010 decimated the oyster industry. All the oysters now come from nearby Louisiana. They were still very good and reasonably priced, at $9.99 a dozen at
Papa Joe's, which moved to its downtown location last year.