Topsy Turvy in Vernon, Florida

Heliocentric XII

It was the year of bumming around in that old Plymouth Satellite. We were in New Orleans and got an invitation from family living near Fort Myers, Florida. We jumped on Route 10 heading east. After seeing a billboard extolling local muscadine wine we detoured south a bit to a beautiful family owned winery in the tiny city of Vernon.

On the way back towards Route 10 we gave a ride to a young man going in our direction. He told us he was born in Vernon and with a smirk jumped into unraveling some of the city’s history.

It seems that it was infamous in the late 1950s because of a high percentage of residents with insurance claims on lost limbs — so much so that many speculated they were intentionally dismembering themselves for the money. The anecdote sure seemed far fetched, but it was obvious he took great enjoyment in dropping the story on strangers.

As we pulled into a Sunoco gas station he added with delight — they used to call it “Nub City”.

Stepping out of the car he stopped to point to the license plate on the car at the pump in front of us — just above the words Sunshine State, the numbers were 50I73H. You have to stand on your head to understand some things around here, he smiled.