Last Updated on May 20, 2023
When we are asked to name a true Authentic Floridian, Author and Floridania Fest Founder Ken Breslauer is someone who ranks at the top of our list.
Ken grew up in Boynton Beach and Delray Beach and currently resides in West Palm Beach.
He graduated from the University of West Florida and went on to get his Master’s degree in Historic Preservation at Goucher College.
For over 30 years, he served as the Media Director and Track Historian at Sebring International Raceway.
Ken Breslauer is also an avid collector of Floridania (aka: Floridabilia, Floridana … Old Florida souvenirs) and founded the Floridania Fest in 1994 as way to connect collectors of Florida memorabilia together.
He has also authored several books focused on this topic.
Three of his more recent books are part of our personal Authentic Florida Book Collection, and we cherish each one. They are all a great trip down Memory Lane in the Sunshine State.
Three Fun Floridania Books to Add to Your Personal Florida Library
Florida Souvenir Decals, Bumper Stickers and License Plate Toppers: The Art of Florida Travel 1945-1975
Ken Breslauer’s newest book is a fun, full-color 84-page hardcover book with hundreds of photos of Florida souvenir decals PLUS sections on bumper signs, license plate toppers and bumper stickers.
The book includes an index of Florida attractions and lots of fun info on the history of souvenir decals and bumper signs & stickers.
If you enjoy Florida souvenirs, travel memorabilia, and the stylistic art of this great era of Florida tourism, you will love this book.
This book has a limited press run, so be sure to order it as soon as possible.
This book is NOT sold on Amazon. It’s available only on eBay and Etsy.
Florida on Felt: Souvenir Pennants from the Golden Age of Florida Vacations
Ken’s book, “Florida on Felt”, takes you on a road trip through pre-Disney Florida, illustrated by over 300 pennants. The Floridania book covers the history of pennants, perhaps the most iconic souvenir from the Golden Age of Florida tourism.
In this book, we learn that pennants reached the peak of their popularity in the 1940s and 1950s where every major Florida attraction sold them.
The pennant industry started to change in the late 1960s/early 1970s and looked very cluttered. By the 1980s, tourists’ tastes were changing, and the demand for pennants plummeted.
Today, they have become quite the collectible. The short-lived and more obscure attractions tend to be the most sought after.
Ken has an index at the back of the book with a list of significant pre-Disney attractions and their years in operation. He also has another book that focuses primarily on Florida Roadside Attractions History Before Disney.
This book is available on eBay and Etsy while supplies last.
Florida Roadside Attractions History: The Complete Guide to Florida Tourist Attractions Before Disney
Ken wrote this book to recognize the significance of Florida’s commercial roadside tourism attractions, a topic that was virtually ignored by Florida historians until very recently.
These attractions were a cultural phenomenon, shaping the American vacation during a period that saw a tremendous change.
Sadly, three-fourths of the attractions from this era no longer exist. But thanks to Ken Breslauer, the memories live on in this book. Along with great photos, there are stories about each of these attractions.
For example, the famed Miami Serpentarium on US 1 in Kendall (1947-1984) is on the cover of the book. When the attraction closed, they attempted to move the Cobra to South Miami High School, but it was destroyed in the move.
A smaller replica was made, but it was destroyed in Hurricane Andrew. An even smaller version is at the school today. It’s information and facts like this you will find throughout the book.
One thing Authentic Florida thrives on is visiting the roadside attractions that still are around and paying homage to the places that are now part of Florida’s past.
Here are a few of our articles you may enjoy:
- 2022 Floridania Fest Returns to Gulfport Casino
- Old Florida Attractions That Continue To Spark New Memories
- Rick Kilby’s 5 Favorite “Old Florida” Roadside Attractions
- Spotlight on the Citrus Tower in Clermont
- 12 Authentic Things to Do on the Palm Coast and Flagler Beaches
- A Day Trip to Florida’s Kitschy Adventure Coast
- St. Augustine Lighthouse + List of Florida’s Historic Lighthouses
- Ten Authentic Things to do in Tallahassee
- Exploring the Extraordinary Florida Everglades
- Remembering Old Florida Treasures: Ronnie’s Restaurant
- 6 Historic Old Florida Restaurants: Gone But Not Forgotten
- 8 Unique and Historic Theatres in Florida
very much interested in getting in Gulfport event. (have done so before). please send details. thanks.
Hi! Thanks for reaching out! The Floridania Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/FloridaCollector. We also recommend you reach out directly to Ken Breslauer at [email protected].
Hello Ken,
I’m a big fan of old Florida myself and enjoy viewing your ebay postings. I believe I’ve gotten a few things from you over the years. I’m up north but we have a place in Palm Beach Gardens that we’ve decorated with a lot of vintage signage, some of which is Florida related. I’ll be sending you an email with a pic of a sign that I know you would get a kick out of. Keep up the good work.
John