Muse, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Muse, Florida
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 Muse, Florida
Location in Florida
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Glades |
| Elevation | 14 m (46 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 863 |
Muse is a small community located in Glades County, Florida, in the United States. It was once mistakenly spelled "Muce" on federal maps. This spelling was officially corrected to Muse on April 11, 2019. Muse is known for its interesting history and strong community spirit.
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History of Muse, Florida
Muse, originally spelled "Meuse," was settled by several families. These early settlers included John Browning, Will Ballard, Dallas Douglas, and the Langford family. They received land through special U.S. Government patents. Even today, some land is still owned by the descendants of these first families.
Early settlers had to deal with many mosquitos. They even had a special name for them: "gallenippers."
Community Development in Muse
Harley Altman donated one acre of land for a cemetery. This cemetery was first a private burial ground for her son, Hoyt Altman. There's a local mystery about Alice Grace Long, who died in 1912. She was found buried at the Carson Scrub Cemetery, not the Muse cemetery.
Cornelius Poole also received forty acres of land through a homesteading program.
For business, the Deese family was known for walking long distances. They would walk from Muse to nearby towns like Arcadia and LaBelle to conduct their trade.
Farming was one of the main businesses in early Muse. Another early business was making "moonshine." This was a type of alcohol made illegally.
Muse During the Great Depression
During the Great Depression, many places faced hard times. Muse was no different. The local school and post office in Muse had to close down during this period.
Before it burned down in 1980, the old local schoolhouse was used for church services. Many teachers helped out there, including Mrs. Alice Bailey. She would ride her horse every day from LaBelle to teach in Muse.
Modern Businesses and Land Ownership
In 1985, a lot of property in Muse was owned by the 6-L Company. This company was run by the Lipman Brothers. Today, Lipman Produce is known as the largest field tomato grower in the United States.
The Lykes Brothers Inc. also owns large tree farms and cattle ranches in the area. They offer special tours for hunting deer, quail, and turkey. They also offer fishing tours on their 1,867-acre Silver Lake Preserve. Dr. Howell Tyson Lykes started the company in 1900. It is still owned by the descendants of his seven sons.
Jeff Freeman's Rainbow Farms was a notable business in 1985. They bred and raised Thoroughbred horses. They even raced about thirty of their horses across the country. Muse also had a plant nursery and a center for training rottweiler dogs.
William D. and Joy McCordale owned and ran Mac's General Store. They also had Joy's Ceramic and Gift Shop. Mac's General Store reopened in 2017.
The people of Muse also worked together to raise money. They created their own local volunteer fire department to help keep the community safe.
Community Awards and Recognition
Muse has received special recognition for its community efforts.
- In 2002, Governor Jeb Bush recognized Muse. The community won the Florida's Outstanding Rural Community of the Year award. This was for providing a safe shelter for the community to use during storms.
Annual Honey Festival
Muse hosts a fun event every year called the Honey Festival. This festival takes place at the Muse Community Park. It's a great way for the community to come together and celebrate.
Local Memorials
The Community Center in Muse has a special memorial. It honors Jim J. Greer, a veteran.
- The memorial is at the base of the flagpole. It reads: In Memory of, SMSGT Jim J. Greer, USAF RET., Glades County Tax Collector, January 1994 to October 2000, For His Outstanding Service, To Muse and Glades County, The Muse Community Association, April 18, 2002.
Geography of Muse
Muse is located about 11 miles west of Linden Pens Marsh. Its exact coordinates are 26.8278409,-81.4959102 W. The community sits at an elevation of 46 feet above sea level.
Muse is directly north of LaBelle. It is located between the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area and State Road 29. You can find it along County Road 720.
The community is about fifty-three miles east of Punta Gorda. It is also twenty-nine miles east of Babcock Ranch. Muse is near where four counties meet: Charlotte, Lee, Glades, and Hendry counties.
Education in Muse
Students in Muse attend West Glades School.
