One place, many definitions

Many years ago, Ruth Linton told me it was impossible to define Pine Castle in geographic terms. "It's more of a state of mind," she said.

To be sure, folks struggled to define the region surrounding the Conway chain of lakes south of Orlando as far back as recorded history survives around this little corner of heaven.

Government surveyor Benjamin Whitner flattered the man who signed his federal contract in the 1830s by naming the chain "Conway" after him.

But, according to one of the letters in my current anthology project, Will Wallace Harney claims the Seminoles called the area "Okehitanatchee." According to him, this translated as "land of fair waters." (Can anyone confirm or refute this?)

Harney originally dubbed his vast estate on the shores of Lake Conway, "Okatoulypes." As noted in a previous post, I have no idea what that word might mean. Sounds Greek, no?

Anyway, Harney eventually settled on the more rustic term, "Pine Castle." His neighbors liked it so well, they began applying it to the entire area.

At different times since then, Pine Castle has extended as far north as Michigan Street in Orlando and as far south as the Osceola County line.

For a brief time, from the Florida Land Boom of the 1920s until the Great Depression, Pine Castle was an incorporated town.

The name "Pine Castle" still survives today, and is celebrated with an annual festival. (See http://pinecastlepioneerdays.org)

But, you never hear anyone using the name "Okatoulypes" or "Okehitnatchee" anymore . . .

It's all Greek to me!

One of the most frustrating things I've encountered in the current anthology project is the affinity Will Wallace Harney had for ancient languages.

Even more frustrating has been the process of trying to translate the Latin and Greek quotes that pepper his writings.

Fortunately, a lot of them come from classic texts. So, I eventually find something after a few Google searches.

But, I'm stumped when it comes to these two words:

OIKAMOULYSSES - He used this as his signature on one 1871 letter.

OKATOULYPES - He included this in the byline of an 1872 letter, indicating that he used it as the name of his estate before he settled on the more familiar "Pine Castle."

Any help deciphering these words would be greatly appreciated.

Warning, there may be some orthographic problems. Harney's original letters were handwritten, in cursive script. Then a typesetter up in Cincinnati put them into print. Then a professor made photocopies back in the 1970s. And, now my weary eyes are involved.