Capitol Hill in Tallahassee in Leon County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Leon County

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 9, 2015

1. Leon County Marker

Inscription. Originally part of Escambia and later Gadsden Counties, Leon was created by the territorial legislature in 1824. Named for Juan Ponce de Leon, discoverer of Florida, it became antebellum Florida's most prosperous and populous county. Cotton thrived in its fertile soil. Tallahassee, the county seat, has been the state capital since 1824. It is the home of Florida State University (1857) and Florida A&M University (1887).

Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials
in cooperation with
Leon County Commissioners

Erected 1961 by Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials, and Leon County Commissioners. (Marker Number F-45.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1824.

Location. 30° 26.38′ N, 84° 16.827′ W. Marker is in Tallahassee, Florida, in Leon County. It is in Capitol Hill. Marker is at the intersection of South Monroe Street (State Road 20) and East Jefferson Street (State Road 366), on the right when traveling north on South Monroe Street. Marker is located near the sidewalk, within plaza on west side

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of Leon County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee FL 32301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tallahassee Bus Boycott (within shouting distance of this marker); The Tallahassee Lunch Counter Sit-Ins (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Florida Sri Chinmoy Peace State (within shouting distance of this marker); Leon County World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Combat Wounded Veterans (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Florida Liberty Bell Replica (about 300 feet away); The Exchange Bank Building (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tallahassee.

Also see . . .
1. Leon County, Florida (Wikipedia). By the 1850s and 1860s, Leon County had become part of the "cotton kingdom" of the Deep South. It ranked fifth of all Florida and Georgia counties in the production of cotton from the 20 major plantations. Uniquely among Confederate capitals east of the Mississippi River, in the American Civil War Tallahassee was never captured by Union forces. No Union soldiers set foot in Leon County until the Reconstruction Era. (Submitted on April 8, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Leon County Marker (<i>wide view; Leon County Courthouse in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 9, 2015

2. Leon County Marker (wide view; Leon County Courthouse in background)

2. Leon County was the center of the slave trade in Florida. Leon County's population in 1860 was 73% African American, almost all of them slaves. Starting in 1861, all free blacks had to register with the county and pay $1 for a permit; each required a local white sponsor, who could be sued for actions of the negro, as negroes could not be sued. As was true elsewhere in the South, the value of slaves far exceeded the value of land in the county. Leon County had more slaves than any other county in Florida, and therefore it was the wealthiest county in Florida. (Submitted on April 8, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Leon County Marker (<i>wide view from courthouse; Monroe/Jefferson intersection in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 9, 2015

3. Leon County Marker (wide view from courthouse; Monroe/Jefferson intersection in background)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 8, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.