AS THEY ONCE STOOD is an historical pictorial account of the lost heritage of Florida's past that for too long has been forgotten and relegated to the forgotten pages of discarded manuscripts and books stored away on dusty shelves of storerooms and libraries. Florida was one of those last frontiers of exploration where native Americans were pushed aside as new settlers carved a new life out of an impenetrable wilderness and established civilization where none existed before. This collection has been compiled in hopes that the lost spirit of adventure will be rekindled and instill in others the pride of Florida's heritage and the honor of all those who came before us to build this great state as we know it today. Lest we forget.