Category Archives: Florida History

During the late 19th century, Florida became a popular tourist destination as Henry Flagler’s railroads expanded into the area. Railroad magnate Henry Plant built at Tampa the luxurious Tampa Bay Hotel, which later became the campus for the University of … Continue reading →

In 1900, Florida was largely agricultural and frontier, most Floridians lived within 50 miles of the Georgia border. The population grew from only 529,000 in 1900 to 18.3 million in 2009. The population explosion began with the great land boom of … Continue reading →

Florida Territory Main article: Florida Territory Andrew Jackson served as the first military Governor of Florida Florida became an organized territory of the United States on March 30, 1822. The Americans merged East Florida and West Florida (although the majority … Continue reading →

First Spanish rule Main article: Spanish Florida Juan Ponce de León Timucua Indians at a column erected by the French in 1562 1527 map by Vesconte Maggiolo showing the east coast of North America with “Tera Florida” at the top … Continue reading →

The first land animals entered Florida approximately 24.8 million years ago. Prior to that time, Florida was Orange Island, a low-relief island sitting atop the carbonate Florida Platform. Paleo-Indians entered what is now Florida at least 14,000 years ago.[3] Due to … Continue reading →