Fishing in Orange and Lochloosa Lakes was both livelihood and pastime. Families netted catfish, bass, and bream, which they sold or ate. Hunting wild game—deer, turkey, and even alligator—supplemented diets.
Rawlings faithfully recorded these details, not romanticizing but portraying the hardships alongside the beauty. Her depictions captured not only the physical environment but also the character of her neighbors—stoic, witty, and deeply connected to the land.
Later 20th Century: Preservation and Change
After Rawlings’s death in 1953, her farmhouse and grove gradually fell into disrepair. But recognition of her literary significance spurred preservation efforts. In 1970, the property was designated a National Historic Landmark, and by 1976 it became the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park. Visitors today can tour the farmhouse, gardens, and orange grove, restored to their 1930s appearance.
Meanwhile, Cross Creek itself remained small and unincorporated. Unlike booming Florida cities, it resisted large-scale development. Its residents continued traditional ways of life, especially commercial and recreational fishing. Restaurants like the Yearling Restaurant became local institutions, offering catfish, venison, and frog legs to visitors seeking “authentic” Florida flavors. shutdown123