It’s Labor Day, and lots of people will be bidding a fond farewell to summer with some sort of backyard celebration. For many of us, that means a good old-fashioned backyard barbecue. For folks here in Northeast Florida, it might mean a day at the beach.
And that got me thinking about what we mean when we use the term “backyard.” Sure, there’s that open space directly behind your house where you do the grilling. But today, I’m thinking about the backyard in the broader sense. What are the places, and who are the people, that make the town or city where you live so special?
For me, and lots of people in this area I suspect, it’s the beach. Whether you live in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra or one of the beachside communities proper, the beach really is our backyard playground. And when you look beyond the sand and the surf, you might be surprised at some of the other interesting things you’ll find at the beach.
Like William Morgan, for instance.
I’ve been living in this area for nearly 10 years now, but it was only recently that an acquaintance told me about the man responsible for some of this area’s most unique architecture.
As you can see from the biography on his website, Mr. Morgan is an accomplished and respected architect. He’s also designed some of this area’s most unique residential structures.
From the Conners House, Beach House and Goodloe House in Ponte Vedra Beach, to the Edwards House, Dune House and Lankshear House in Atlantic Beach, Mr. Morgan’s designs put a modern, highly sophisticated spin on the beach house concept. Dig around on his website and you’ll find a lot more of this man’s striking and exceptional work (don’t miss the Root House in Ormond Beach).
These William Morgan designed houses are just some of the hidden gems I’ve discovered recently here in the Ponte Vedra area. What are some of the best kept secrets of your community? Let me know in the comments section…
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