Fort White in Columbia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Town of Fort White
Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 20, 2013
1. Town of Fort White Marker
Inscription.
Town of Fort White. . The town of Fort White, named for a former Second Seminole War fort built nearby in 1837, was founded in 1870 and flourished briefly after the arrival of the railroad in 1888. Phosphate mining and the growing of citrus and cotton sparked a boom that before 1900 made Fort White the second largest city in Columbia County with a population of nearly 2,000. The boom collapsed when severe freezes in the winter of 1896-1897 destroyed the local citrus industry. Phosphate mining ceased by 1910, and the boll weevil ended cotton farming before World War I. A handful of historic buildings, such as the Old Fort White School (1915) remain from the town's era of prosperity. ,
Florida Heritage Site.
The town of Fort White, named for a former Second Seminole War fort built nearby in 1837, was founded in 1870 and flourished briefly after the arrival of the railroad in 1888. Phosphate mining and the growing of citrus and cotton sparked a boom that before 1900 made Fort White the second largest city in Columbia County with a population of nearly 2,000. The boom collapsed when severe freezes in the winter of 1896-1897 destroyed the local citrus industry. Phosphate mining ceased by 1910, and the boll weevil ended cotton farming before World War I. A handful of historic buildings, such as the Old Fort White School (1915) remain from the town's era of prosperity.
Florida Heritage Site
Erected 1995 by Florida Department of State Sandra B. Mortham, Secretary of State. (Marker Number F-362.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.
Location. 29° 55.45′ N, 82° 42.84′ W. Marker is in Fort White, Florida, in Columbia County. Marker is on NW 1st Street (State Road 47) near West Well Street, on the right when traveling south. Located in Deese Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort White FL 32038, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker
2. Town of Fort White Marker looking south along NW 1st Street
Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 20, 2013
3. Town of Fort White Marker seen looking north along NW 1st Street
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,032 times since then and 110 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 22, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
