Away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, Florida has many quaint, small towns that seem reminiscent of the past. My latest journey took me through Micanopy, pronounced (mick-ah-No-pee).

Micanopy, with a population of just over 600, is known as the town that time forgot. You can tell by the antique shops that line the rustic streets. The southern charm immediately drew me in.

Way back in 1539 Hernando DeSoto, who I referenced in a previous blog post, encountered a Native American village in this area. Artifacts recovered during excavations of the surroundings trace back to its Native American roots and are a huge part of the culture. Even the name comes from a Seminole Indian Chief.

Established in 1821, Micanopy is the oldest inland town in the state of Florida. Settlers from New York traveled down to Florida to develop the interior city. It doesn’t appear to have changed much from those days. Maybe a few more cars…

The streets are quiet and lined with beautiful oaks, and worth a drive-by if you are in the area. It is not far from the University of Florida or Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park which I had been visiting. Friendly faces and plenty of southern charm will welcome you.

What are some of your favorite small towns?