Chatham Bend, Late Nineteenth Century and Early Twentieth Century

Chatham Bend, tucked away in south Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands, is a difficult place to reach by boat. Edgar Watson buys a claim on the Chatham Bend River, where he begins farming and growing his cane syrup operation. Chatham Bend is Watson's favorite home he has ever owned and occupied, and his acquisition of this beautiful and proud property is one of his greatest life achievements.

Chokoloskee, Florida, Late 19th Century and Early 20th Century

Chokoloskee Island is a small township in which many of Watson’s closest neighbors reside. The town is primarily operated by Ted Smallwood, who is postmaster and operator of a goods shop. Chokoloskee does not have a school or church and many of its residents are hunters or farmers. In the novel, Chokoloskee’s rural values and populous embodies the division between old American...