Smugglers Coast
Rumrunners, river kings, and the infrastructure of “don’t ask.”
The Cocaine Cowboys Who Built (and Bled) South Florida
Before the luxury towers. Before the rooftop bars. Before the influencers and the Art Basel crowds and the $22 cocktails on Las Olas,
Strange Secrets
Unveiling Florida Folklore: The Spirits and Secrets of the Sunshine State
Beneath the neon glow and the swaying palms of the Sunshine State lies a world where the boundary between reality and mystery is
Stay Connected!
The guy behind this site... Properly Palmer
Hi! I am John Palmer Payne!
I am a local business owner in South Florida who has a nerdy interest in history.
Get the Good Stuff
Rumor vs Record
Some stories are documented. Some are repeated like prayers at a dock bar. We label what’s verified, what’s rumored, and what’s still in the “somebody’s uncle swears” stage.
The Cocaine Cowboys Who Built (and Bled) South Florida
Before the luxury towers. Before the rooftop bars. Before the influencers and the Art Basel crowds and the $22
Rumrunners & River Kings: How Prohibition Put Broward on the Map
Prohibition didn’t make Americans stop drinking.It made them better planners. When the Volstead Act went into effect in 1920,
Travel Diaries
Stay tuned for personal events, meetings, and tours. Coming Soon!
















