Joseph Donald Peacock, Jr. was born April 7th, 1920 and wrote three diaries between 1932 and 1934, starting at age twelve.
The books highlight his childhood adventures swimming, exploring, and taking care of his many pets in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (
Not only did he frequently write every day, but he began illustrating his pages with colorful drawings in the second and third journals.
The Book Begins: Roadtrip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Twelve-year-old Donald began his journal in December 1932 as his family embarked on a long road trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for an extended stay. His family included his mother (Lucile), father (Donald), and younger sister (Sally).
Tuesday, December 6th, 1932
We left at 10 o’clock. Soon after we left it began to rain and didn’t stop all day long. At noon, we had lunch at Kokomo, Indiana. When we arrived
We wanted to make Kentucky by night to beat the cold spell. We had supper at Jeffersonville, Indiana. Then we crossed the Ohio River and had to pay a toll. Then we drove through Louisville, Kentucky and stopped at Mrs. Applegate’s in West Point, Kentucky. We had come 340 miles. [I believe they were driving from Michigan]
Wednesday, December 7th, 1932
We left about 8 o’clock and had breakfast at Elizabeth Town, Kentucky. We saw the mouths of many caves. We had lunch at Nashville, Tennessee. Then we drove through the mountains. The highest mountain we climbed was Waldren’s Ridge, 2,000 feet high.
When we arrived in Chattanooga, we saw Look Out Mountain and then had dinner. We stayed all night at Mrs. Hill’s in Calhoun, Georgia. We crossed the Tennessee River before we came through Nashville and paid a toll. We had come 360 miles.
Thursday, December 8th, 1932
We left about 8 o’clock and had breakfast at a roadhouse. We had dinner in Atlanta. On both sides of the road were swampland. Most of it was Okeefonokee [Okefenokee] Swamp.
We had supper at Waycross, Georgia. We stayed at the Marson Hotel there. We had come 356 miles.
Friday, December 9th, 1932
In the morning, we had our breakfast at the hotel. When we came to Jacksonville, we had to ferry across the St. John’s River. When we got to St. Augustine, we saw Fort Madison, the oldest house, and the Fountain of Youth.
From there on, we saw citrus fruit groves and palm trees, especially coconut palms. We had supper in Stuart and then stayed all night at Mrs. Robuck’s Hotel. We had come 400 miles.
Arrival in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Saturday, December 10th, 1932
We arrived in Fort Lauderdale this morning and Mother went around with
Sunday, December 11th, 1932
Today was the first day I ever swam in the ocean. We picked seashells. I saw lots of Portuguese man o’ war, they are blue and have hydrochloric acid in them. The highest temperature was 87 degrees and the lowest was 78.
[This is special considering he goes on to swim just about every day from here on out]
Monday, December 12th, 1932
Today we went swimming again, then we came home and got ready to go up town to see the fish. Only one boat was out, they brought in five sand sharks, about a dozen smaller fish, and part of a sail fish that weighed 27 pounds. The biggest sand shark weighed 101 pounds.
Then we went to the park and heard “Amos and Andy”. The highest temperature was 78 degrees and the lowest was 71.
Tuesday, December 13th, 1932
In the evening, we went to see the catch. The only thing they caught was a 47-pound sailfish. Then we drove over to the park to hear “Amos and Andy”. Highest temp: 80 degrees, lowest temp: 74.
Wednesday, December 14th, 1932
In the evening, we went down to the dock and met the captain of the Lets Go To. He said he was from Lake Geneva. He said, last year, he caught a manta, blanket fish, or devil fish that weighed 5,500 pounds.
Then we heard “Amos and Andy”.
Thursday, December 15th, 1932
We went to the Butler’s in Miami this morning and Charles said he would take me deep sea fishing. Then we came home and went to see the catch. Then we heard “Amos and Andy”. High temp: 82, low temp: 69.
Friday, December 16th, 1932
I wrote three letters this morning. One to Aunt Edith, one to David Yarian, and one to Gene Yarian. This evening, we went down to the fish dock. The biggest fish were two sailfish, one weighed 43.5 pounds and the other 48.5 pounds. Then we heard Amos and Andy. High temp: 82, Low temp: 70.
Saturday, December 17th, 1932
This afternoon we went swimming and then we took a drive till it got dark. The lowest temperature was 70 and the highest, 84. We received a letter from Uncle Jack saying they would come down between the 10-12th of January.
Sunday, December 18th, 1932
In the afternoon, the Butlers came over and invited us over for Wednesday. When they went back we went as far as Hollywood with them then we went to the fish dock and saw a sail fish that weighed 43.5 pounds. Lowest temperature, 66, highest, 77.
Monday, December 19th, 1932
In the afternoon we went swimming and then came home to find a letter from Uncle Burton saying the Jakes were coming around the first and that they were coming down on the 15th. Then we went to see Will Rogers in “Too Busy to Work”. Lowest temp, 66, highest, 80.
Tuesday, December 20th, 1932
This morning we went to Miami. This afternoon we went to the beach. Today was the roughest it has been since we’ve been here. Lowest temp, 66, highest, 86.
To be continued…
Did you ever keep a travel journal as a kid? Let me know in the comments below. I never did, but I’m glad that Donald took the time to write and at least three of his books stayed together!
