Laura Ingalls Wilder and her husband, Almanzo Wilder, lived in Florida for less than a year, from October 1891 through August 1892. Their brief time in the Sunshine State was an attempt to improve Almanzo’s health after a series of devastating personal and physical hardships during their years in De Smet, South Dakota.
They settled in a small community called New Hope, located just outside of Westville, in the panhandle region of northwestern Florida.
Why Did Laura and Almanzo Move to Florida?
The move to Florida was largely motivated by health concerns. After suffering from diphtheria in 1888, Almanzo Wilder was left partially paralyzed, with ongoing weakness in one leg and difficulty managing the physical demands of homesteading life. The couple had already endured:
The loss of their infant son in 1889
A series of crop failures and harsh winters in the Dakota Territory
The destruction of their home by fire
Ongoing financial struggles and emotional strain
In 1890, the Wilders moved temporarily to Spring Valley, Minnesota, to live with Almanzo’s parents while he recovered. But when recovery was slow and farming prospects remained bleak, they sought a milder climate believed to be better for Almanzo’s condition.
Life in New Hope, Florida
Laura and Almanzo were encouraged to move to Florida by Laura’s cousin, Peter Franklin Ingalls, who had settled in the area with his wife, Mary (Molly). With the promise of a new start and family support nearby, the Wilders made the journey south in October 1891, accompanied by their young daughter Rose, who was just five years old at the time.
The family tried to adjust to life in rural New Hope, but it was far from ideal:
The humid climate was difficult for Laura, who was used to the cooler, drier prairie environment.
Farming was challenging due to unfamiliar soil and growing conditions.
Bugs, heat, and disease were constant issues in that part of Florida at the time.
Laura missed her extended family and the open expanses of the Midwest.
Though they hoped for improvement, life in Florida quickly proved to be isolating and uncomfortable.
Returning to De Smet
After less than a year, Laura and Almanzo decided to leave Florida and return to De Smet, South Dakota, in August 1892. Their time in Florida was short-lived and is rarely discussed in the Little House books, though it marked a significant turning point in their lives.
Back in De Smet, they lived in town for a couple of years before making their final move to Mansfield, Missouri, in 1894, where they established Rocky Ridge Farm and began to rebuild their lives.
Why Florida Doesn’t Appear in the Little House Books
Laura’s time in Florida is not covered in the Little House series, which ends with The First Four Years—a book that focuses primarily on her early married life and the hardships she and Almanzo faced in South Dakota.
There are a few likely reasons for this omission:
The move to Florida was short and ultimately unsuccessful.
Laura may have felt the experience didn’t contribute to the broader themes of perseverance and prairie life that defined her books.
It represented a time of frustration and disappointment, in contrast to the hopeful tone of her children’s books.
However, Laura did mention the Florida period briefly in her letters and unpublished memoirs, including Pioneer Girl, offering insight into how difficult that year truly was.
