Wewahitchka in Gulf County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Wewahitchka Centennial

1875-1975

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 9, 2017

1. Wewahitchka Centennial Marker Side 1

Inscription. (side 1)
Fort Place, or Richard's Fort, five miles south, erected in the early 1800's is considered as the forerunner of Wewahitchka. People lived in the area earlier. Wewahitchka (Indian name for water eyes), first permanent settlement in now Gulf County, was named by Rev. John W. Richards in 1875 upon completion of the log church and school built to serve approximately 25 families. Citrus groves, apiaries, livestock and timber supported the early settlers. First paper was the Calhoun Times in 1883. (Continued on other side) (side 2) (Continued from other side) Some of these early families were the Richards, Keyes, McDaniel, Stone, Strange, Maddox, Bell, Burgess, Mitchell, and Smith. The early 1880's saw a rapid growth of the community. Wewahitchka became famous for the excellent fishing and hunting in the Dead Lakes, streams and forest. Steamboats plying the nearby Apalachicola River added to the economy. When Gulf County was carved out of Calhoun County in 1925, Wewahitchka became the first county seat and remained so for 40 years.

Erected 1975 by The Gulf County Golden Anniversary Commission and the St.

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Joseph Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 30° 6.909′ N, 85° 11.926′ W. Marker is in Wewahitchka, Florida, in Gulf County. It is at the intersection of North 2nd Street and Court Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North 2nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 222 North 2nd Street, Wewahitchka FL 32465, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 18 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gulf County Old Courthouse

Wewahitchka Centennial Marker Side 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 9, 2017

2. Wewahitchka Centennial Marker Side 2

(here, next to this marker); Fort Place ~ St. Joseph & Iola Railroad (approx. 4.1 miles away); Steamship Tragedy (approx. 16.7 miles away); British Fort Magazine (approx. 16.7 miles away); "Milly Francis" (approx. 16.7 miles away); Fort Gadsden (approx. 16.7 miles away); Fort Crèvecoeur (approx. 17.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wewahitchka.

Another marker is no longer nearby. St. Joseph and Iola Railroad (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Wewahitchka Centennial Marker, courthouse marker and building. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 9, 2017

3. Wewahitchka Centennial Marker, courthouse marker and building.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2017. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,771 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 16, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.